League: Panthers too good as Dragons run out of puff

Before the season kicked off, many pundits would not have been surprised to see these two teams line up in October's grand final.

Instead, the Panthers and Dragons met last night as the only two sides yet to open their NRL account.

Admitedly it's only round three and both teams will climb the table but early-season confidence is an amazing thing and it was the Panthers coach John Lang who could breathe a sigh of relief last night.

The pressure on beleagured Dragons coach Nathan Brown is likely to increase this week but he has battled a long injury list already this season and, while he welcomed back prop Jason Ryles last night, he was still without key play-makers Trent Barrett and Mark Gasnier.

As so often happens with desperate sides, they can try too hard and push the pass and both teams were guilty of regularly dropping the pill and giving away silly penalties.

After 15 minutes the Panthers were lucky to still be in the game, considering St George-Illawarra had scored one try through Daniel Holdsworth and had two decisions referred to the video referee.

Holdsworth had touched down in the seventh minute soon after a Matthew Head 40-20 kick but they could add only had a Head goal to show for concerted pressure on the Panthers' line.

Slowly but surely the 2003 champions came back into it and, although it was high-paced action, errors marred the game until Panthers fullback Rhys Wesser broke through the line and raced 60m into the corner five minutes before halftime. Two Preston Campbell goals meant they went to the break level at 8-8.

Panthers and Australian halfback Craig Gower took over in the second spell and he was instrumental in setting up Luke Lewis and the dangerous Campbell for tries to give his side the lead for the first time in the match.

They should have settled the issue a lot earlier but Wesser was called for a double movement over the line while passes went astray with the line open.

In contrast, the Dragons fell to pieces and often coughed up the football on the first tackle to put themselves under tremendous pressure. When they did control the ball, they were often one-dimensional and rarely threatened the Panthers' line.

After being being blown away 46-12 by the Melbourne Storm last week, the Dragons at least hung in the game on the back of strong defence to give them some hope they can turn things around.

Panthers: 18 (R Wesser, L Lewis, P Campbell tries, Campbell 3 gls) Dragons: 8 (D Holdsworth try, M Head 2 gls). HT: 8-8.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY