LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Nathan Lawson's day took an unexpected turn when he was named 18th man for the Dragons, ultimately being thrust into the starting lineup just minutes before kickoff.
Initially uncertain about his pre-match routine, Lawson quickly became a pivotal player in the game.
He scored his first NRL try in the opening set and added a second in the 14th minute.
However, Lawson faced a challenge as he suffered a shoulder injury that limited his mobility for the last 15 minutes of the match.
The Dragons held on to a narrow 26-20 lead until Val Holmes scored a runaway try to secure the win.
Team-mates were surprised by Lawson's last-minute inclusion, learning just before the match began that he would be replacing Tuipulotu on the left wing.