St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett paid tribute to hat-trick hero Brett Morris after the young winger helped his side to a 26-4 NRL victory over Cronulla on Saturday.

In a game played before a noisy home crowd of 15,201 who came to support the Sharks after a terrible week for the cash-strapped club, the Dragons weathered a strong first half before ripping them to shreds in the second.

"We might have found Brett's best position and he is enjoying playing there ... his consistency has gone along with the fact he knows he will be there every week," Bennett said.

"But he's is a wonderful talent that is for sure, he is a real throwback from the past. He is one of the few players who is a natural winger.

"I was pleased with our second half, it was always going to be tough, especially with all the emotion that is around the (Sharks) this week."

Bennett felt Matt Cooper should be named in the NSW Origin team after the veteran centre set up three tries and was also labelled the best defensive player in the game by the master coach.

The former Broncos coach also said props Michael Weyman and Justin Poore had done enough this season to earn selection for the Blues.

"I think (Cooper) should be in the team, but that is (the selectors') decision, I am sticking up for him as I am his coach but I took him away with a couple of Australian teams and I think he is a wonderful player ... defensively he is better than anyone in rugby league," Bennett said.

"(NSW) will have an Australian backline to contend with.

"Weyman and Poore produced their best defensive effort tonight (and) their form suggests that they should be there."

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart cut a morose figure after the game having watched his side sink to their ninth successive defeat to remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder.

Although he denied the last week had been his worst in the game following Reni Maitua's positive test for a banned substance and off-field dramas, Stuart said the Sharks supporters deserved better than his struggling side could produce.

"The support was much appreciated and I feel sorry for our supporters, this situation is not about the players, it's about loyal people who came tonight and that is what hurts," Stuart said.

"They are hurting and that is down to our actions and that is something we are not proud of at the moment."

Skipper Paul Gallen was also full of praise for the healthy crowd.

"I can't thank the fans enough for turning up," he said.

"There has been two or three times this week where I have been out for dinner and fans have wished us well and asked me to pass on their support to the players. Given the position we are in it was fantastic."

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