It's not often a win for a ladder-leader over a struggling outfit is labelled "special", but that was the case for St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett after watching his patched-up NRL side beat Cronulla on Sunday.

Minus eight regulars - including NSW Origin duo Matt Cooper and Michael Weyman - the Dragons toughed out a 22-4 win at Toyota Stadium to reclaim sole possession of top spot on the ladder.

It was a win only confirmed in the final minutes, but Bennett took great pride in the way his side continue coming up with results in the face of adversity created by injury and State of Origin commitments.

"We're in that crazy part of the season ... it's really out of your control right now," Bennett said.

"The way the team was today all patched up and players missing - we lost two out of Origin on Wednesday night - you don't know what your team's going to be until after Origin's over.

"You've just got to tough it out. You expect your club to stand up and that's what they did and it's a great credit to them.

"It was one of those afternoons that's a little bit special actually, playing against a team that threw plenty at us.

"No-one realises how hard it is unless you're at the coalface doing it ... we had the most number of players in Origin with seven in the last game - it all takes its toll but these guys keep aiming up."

One who made the most of his opportunity was rookie Kyle Stanley - who replaced the injured Cooper at left centre - the 19-year-old's double taking his tally to four tries from as many top grade appearances.

Bennett was also able to welcome back New Zealand international Jeremy Smith, who hadn't played since round five due to a knee injury, and expects some more relief on the injury front over the coming weeks.

Aside from Peni Tagive and Dan Hunt, who won't play again this season, and Nathan Fien who isn't expected to be back before August, Bennett said the rest of his injured troops should be back on deck soon - with Cooper's hamstring his biggest concern.

"Cooper's probably our longest term - we hope to have him back in a month," Bennett said in another blow for NSW Origin selectors who will now need to find a new centre for the Origin series finale.

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