Canterbury, who trailed 18-6 at half-time, never stood a chance at ANZ Stadium on Monday once Norman and Hunt got in a mood as they both scored tries and set up a couple of others.

Norman was playing his first game in five weeks but looked sharp from the opening sets as he called the shots and continually took the ball to the line.

Hunt, who only five days earlier tackled himself into the ground for Queensland, also clearly appreciated the return of his regular halves partner.

The pair praised each other after the match, Hunt admitting: ''Corey brings back so much balance and takes the pressure off me.'' Norman said: "We like playing eyes-up football, we don't stick to one edge and we like to roam.''

Despite only coming together midway through the pre-season, Hunt and Norman have quickly emerged as one of the most effective pairings in the competition.

And to think passionate Dragons fans were wondering what on earth coach Paul McGregor was thinking when he moved regular No.6 Gareth Widdop to fullback in the opening rounds after the Red V had dropped a couple of games.

"Without Gareth and Corey at the same time it puts a dent in your football team, due to the fact they're both top-end players, and it puts a lot of pressure on Ben,'' McGregor said afterwards.

"With the return of Corey, Ben played a nice, solid role. Corey has been doing a lot of repetition on the park; because it was a facial injury and not a muscle injury or knee or ankle, he was able to go out [today] and plays the way he trains.

"Before he got injured we'd won four in a row and were beaten by not much on Anzac Day. For him to come back today is a big 'in' for the footy team. Benny also has a liking to play with a senior half beside him, and they performed well.''

Tariq Sims did his part by flattening Canterbury halfback Jack Cogger with a legal but bruising tackle in the first half, which forced him out of the game.

Cogger tried to get back to his feet but stumbled to the turf a second time.

Canterbury were forced to rely on Kieran Foran, who was again one of their best, but not even he had any answers for his halves opposites. If only a few more Dogs would stand up along side Foran each week.

Hunt, wearing the No.20 jersey, was given a deserved spell about five minutes before full-time.

The Dragons will back themselves to knock over Manly at Brookvale Oval next Sunday, especially with Norman and Hunt fit.

"It was not a complete performance but it was an improvement of what we've done the past month,'' said McGregor, who could not believe his side remained so far up the ladder.

"I think the timing of the week off really helped to reset and press on.''

While McGregor will be happy, so, too, will NSW and Queensland coaches Brad Fittler and Kevin Walters whose Origin players came through unscathed.

Paul Vaughan punched out more than half an hour before being given his first spell and chalked up big metres, while Tyson Frizell ran for 125m and had three tackle busts.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 36 (M Ravalawa 2 B Hunt Z Lomax C Norman J Pearson tries Z Lomax 6 goals) bt CANTERBURY BULLDOGS 12 (R Faitala-Mariner K Foran tries N Meaney 2 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referees: Gerard Sutton, Liam Kennedy.