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The Dragons took another step towards breaking their six-year drought of finals qualification, returning to the top eight with a hard-fought 32-16 win that ended the Titans' season in Wollongong on Sunday.
After watching the Dolphins squander a golden chance to consolidate eighth place against the Bulldogs in Bundaberg, St George Illawarra survived a scare in the second half against gale force southerly winds at Wynne Stadium.
Titans fullback Keanu Kenny came close to setting a National Rugby League record when he carried the ball an incredible 354 metres – including setting up Gold Coast's opening try with his team's first touch of the ball from a return kick – but it was not enough as the Dragons bravely defended a 20-point lead at half-time.
A win would put them back in the playoff places with games against the Sharks, Eels and Raiders to finish the regular season, while the Dolphins – now two points behind the Dragons but with a better point differential – need to play the Storm, Broncos and Knights.
In celebration of Kieran Forn's 300th NRL game, the Titans took the lead inside the first 70 seconds when Kenny made a long counter-attack and passed the ball to Jojo Fifita.
But their last gasp was against a strong southern attack as Ben Hunt's Dragons scored five tries in a row before the break, including tries from the Coachman twins, Toby and Ryan.
Dragons stars Terrell Sloan and Ben Hunt celebrate scoring a goal.credit: Getty Images
Kenny tried to spark the Titans in the second half, and it seemed to work when Jayden Campbell scored by accident after dropping the ball to his foot and following up with the Dragons defenders standing still.
St George Illawarra's Jack de Belin was suspended for a high shot on Forn shortly after, but the Reds somehow managed to keep their lineout intact while playing with 12 men.
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