'Forward from every angle': Dragons get last laugh against Broncos despite first-half howler

Ben Hunt was all smiles early in Brisbane's clash with the Dragons - but his former club would end up getting the last laugh in a see-sawing affair.

Things started in awful fashion for St George Illawarra, with young back-rower Dylan Egan limping off the field with a suspected ACL injury.

While the rookie forward laid on the turf, play was bizarrely allowed to continue before Egan was struck by the ball during a Broncos attacking set.

FOLLOW LIVE: State of Origin team selections

READ MORE: Fittler sprays 'pathetic' Terrell May over live-stream chat

READ MORE: Rivals rattled by world No.1's perfect swing

Brisbane were the first to score not too long after Egan left the field on other edge, when Kyle Flanagan missed a tackle to allow Ezra Mam through.

The returning five-eighth would then throw a pass to Gehamat Shibasaki to score and the referee awarded it on the spot, despite the ball clearly travelling forward.

Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said it was "forward from every angle" while Greg Alexander couldn't believe the missed call from the officials.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

"He couldn't swing his body around far enough for the ball to go backwards, so the ball went forward. It's as simple as that," Alexander said.

"He was trying to turn the body. It was almost an impossible situation that he found himself in but threw the pass anyway. It was a good line, but he was in front of him."

Cameras then quickly cut to former Dragons captain Hunt, who was smiling ear-to-ear and could be seen saying "that is so forward" sitting on the bench.

Mam would then score a try of his own to extend Brisbane's lead, before Tyrell Sloan put the visitors on the board at Suncorp Stadium.

The second half was absolutely bizarre, with the Red V scoring back-to-back tries to take the lead despite having Jaydn Su'A sin binned and off the field.

The hosts would then regain the lead through Kotoni Staggs, but it didn't last long as Sloan scored his second try and Clint Gutherson crossed in the 74th minute.

Things got incredibly nervy at the end for the Dragons, who led by four points after Jesse Arthars scored and were forced to defend their line in the final minute.

But on the final play of the game, Adam Reynolds knocked the ball on and was left dejected on the turf as the Dragons celebrated around him.

It marks the third-straight loss for the Broncos, who were one of the premiership favourites before a ball was kicked in 2025.

Shane Flanagan's men on the other hand move back to within striking distance of the top-eight as their rollercoaster season continues.