By Riley O’Leary for the Griffith Journal

26 April 2025

The Griffith Dragons have gone down to the QUT Trouts 40 points to 26 in a tightly contested affair, during the opening round of the Universities Rugby League Queensland Competition.

A big crowd was there to see the Dragons play as part of an ANZAC Day double header at Griffith University’s Nathan Fields, where a brave effort from the Dragons wasn’t enough to get the two points on match day.

After an intense first eight minutes, which saw play stopped after the first hit-up, the Dragons were able to score through an intercept try which put them up 4-0.

The Trouts hit back almost immediately, scoring a well worked try to make it 4-6.

Some great defence from Dragons back-rower Izzy Fulton was able to put the pressure back on the Trouts, with Jonothan Ovia crossing the line for his first try in the 20^th minute. A late hit also saw a Trout sent to the sin bin.

The back-and-forth nature of the first half saw the Trouts score four minutes later, before continuing to pile on the pressure. However, some great goal-line defence from the Dragons kept the Trouts at bay the opposition, before Jonothan Ovia was able to cross for his second try in the 32^nd minute.

A QUT try right on half time meant both teams had scored three tries going into the break, with goal-kicking giving the Trouts a 18-14 lead.

A great start to the half saw the Dragons take a 20-18 lead, only for the Trouts to score three quick tries which gave them a 14-point margin after 15 minutes of the second half.

With tempers flaring, the game was reduced to 11 on 11 for a period of time.

The Dragons showed grit and determination to hang in the contest, scoring once to reduce the margin to eight, before QUT scored as full time approached, with the final score 40 points to 26 in favour of the Trouts.

Speaking after the match, Dragons coach Sione Malaloi said his teams’ ill-discipline was a big factor in their loss.

“If we had held on to the ball a lot harder, and we didn’t let go of the ball when we shouldn’t have let go of the ball, then I’m guessing it would’ve been a different story,” he said.

Mr Malaloi had praise for his forwards, with emphasis on the performance of try-scorer Izzy Fulton in the back row.

“The forwards did their job,” he said.

“I reckon Izzy’s a bit like a skinny version of Gordon Tallis.” he said.

“He’s strong, he’s quick, his toughness is right up there.”

Looking forward, Mr Malaloi wants to work on his teams one-percenters and discipline, while building on strong defensive foundations which the team has shown in trials and during training so far this season.

“I’m guessing if people had seen our defence two weeks ago when we played QUT in the trial, we kept them scoreless for 60 minutes.”

After a brave performance in front of a big crowd on ANZAC Day, the Griffith Dragons have a solid foundation to launch off going into the rest of the season. They will be hoping to pick up a win in their round two fixture against the UQ Hounds on May 7 at the Nathan fields.