'They complement each other': Origin case for Hunt and Norman

Corey Norman couldn't remember a St George Illawarra move named after Ben Hunt but teammates believe the pair deserve to play together for Queensland after their match-winning feats this season.

Norman landed field goals to secure golden point wins over Brisbane and Newcastle, while Hunt has been in career best form and set up a 78th-minute try for winger Mikaele Ravalawa to snatch a 12-10 victory against Manly last Saturday night.

With Norman being a left-foot kicker, his presence has afforded Hunt more time with the ball or to place his kicks as defences have to watch both sides of the ruck.

"Watching Benny play lately has been really good because he is winning us games, and him and Normy are carrying the team," fullback Matt Dufty said ahead of Thursday's Anzac Day clash with Sydney Roosters at the SCG.

"They complement each other and I think they deserve to play Origin with each other.

"Benny is playing the best footy and is the happiest I have seen him, forever, and when Benny feels like that we all feel like that because he is one of the best halves in the comp when he is playing with confidence.

"Normy is just a laid-back character but he is a match winner and he has proved that twice already this year. He is a person you want to play with.

"Their kicking games have both been outstanding. I think that is what won it for us last weekend, they were putting their kicks in right where we needed and getting the sets started right where we wanted."

However not everything has gone to plan, with Dufty revealing that Norman had forgotten a move the Dragons called in their round four defeat of Newcastle.

"We had a little trick play and he fluffed it. He just said 'what's that'? But we love Normy and that is just the type of person he is," Dufty said. "It's called Bruce, and it's named after Ben Hunt. Maybe if we get it on the weekend I will tell you what it is."

With three of the past four Anzac Day matches decided by two points or less, Dragons coach Paul McGregor is anticipating another close encounter at the SCG on Thursday but he said centre Tim Lafai hadn't been asked to do any additional goal kicking practice.

After beating Manly 12-10 at WIN Stadium last Saturday night, St George Illawarra players have been given time off this week and besides a visit to the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park on Monday their only training session was Wednesday's captain's run.

Lafai has assumed the goal kicking duties since the loss of captain Gareth Widdop with a shoulder injury in the round three golden point defeat of Brisbane and has managed eight goals from 14 attempts in the three matches since at an average of 57%.

He missed a conversion attempt from near the sideline in the 13-12 golden point defeat of Newcastle, two goals in the 40-4 defeat of Canterbury and two penalty goal attempts against the Sea Eagles before winger Mikaele Ravalawa scored in the 78th minute.

Had Lafai, who landed an early penalty goal, been successful with his other two shots, the Dragons would have not have had to rely on a late try to snatch victory.

However, the Dragons have still been finding ways to win in the absence of Widdop, Korbin Sims and Jack de Belin, and McGregor said Lafai hadn't been required to do any extra goal kicking sessions.

"No he hasn't," McGregor told reporters on Wednesday. "I gave the boys a few days off so this is the first time we have been on the grass – unless he has been doing some kicking in the paddock out the back."

The significance of goal kicking has been highlighted in a number of games this season, with Wests Tigers centre Esan Marsters missing all three shots at goal in his side's 9-8 loss to Penrith, whose only try was scored by winger Dylan Edwards in the 79th minute.

An off night with the boot by Adam Reynolds proved costly in South Sydney's 13-12 loss to Manly, with the Rabbitohs halfback kicking two goals from five attempts, while Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga missed a goal in his side's 16-14 loss to Canberra.

Canterbury second-rower Rhys Martin also missed an opportunity to send his side's round four clash with Melbourne into extra time – although the NRL later revealed he had taken the conversion attempt of Reimis Smith's 78th-minute try several metres wider than he should have.

Roosters goal kicker Latrell Mitchell, who will play five-eighth against the Dragons in the absence of Luke Keary (concussion), is the leading point-scorer in the Telstra Premiership with 57 points from two tries, 24 goals and a field goal.

Mitchell is kicking at an average of 75% and is likely to play a key role in the outcome of Thursday's traditional ANZAC Day clash at the SCG.

"Three of the last four years it has been won by two points or less so that indicates the rivalry there and the occasion," McGregor said. "It is certainly a special day and it is a real privilege to go out and show respect for and remember those who have served, are serving or have fallen in the past."