Dragons win NRL minor premiership

St George Illawarra Dragons secured the NRL minor premiership with a 37-0 thumping of in-form Parramatta Eels.

Brett Morris grabbed a hat-trick of tries as the Dragons sealed first place in front of 17,974 fans at WIN Stadium.

Coach Wayne Bennett was full of praise for his players after the game. He said: “It wasn’t about minor premierships here tonight, it was about playing well.

“But I want them to enjoy the night, they’re a tremendous football team”

Captain Ben Hornby said the explanation for the teams performance was simple: “We just went back to what we have been doing all year. Keeping it simple and no mistakes.”

Defeat for the Eels, coupled with Newcastle’s thrashing of Penrith, means the two sides will face each other again in the first round of the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Sydney Roosters finished last to claim the wooden spoon after a 32-16 defeat against North Queensland Cowboys at the Sydney Football Stadium.