What are those of you who thought it wrong to label St George Illawarra as wooden-spoon contenders thinking now?
After three rounds they are already in that battle up to their ears.
Only the supremely awful Warriors are keeping them from the bottom of the table at this stage, and the schedule of an away game against Cronulla this weekend suggests it will be four losses from four rounds for the Dragons.
Now there is talk they may be interested in signing Kurtley Beale, the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby player who was sent home in disgrace from South Africa this week after a physical altercation with his captain and another teammate.
Sounds like a fantastic potential addition to the squad.
That is on top of St George Illawarra being interested in another disgraced player, Josh Dugan.
Unfortunately for the Dragons, though, it seems the fullback who was sacked by Canberra for yet another off-field indiscretion is more likely to head to Brisbane.
The Broncos are apparently another club so in need of an injection of stars that they would be prepared to take a risk on a rebel like Dugan.
That is what happens when star players who are sacked by their clubs go looking for employment elsewhere.
They end up at clubs that are so badly lacking in the x-factor department that they will ignore the considerable negatives in favour of the potential positives.
It is why Sydney Roosters picked up Todd Carney after he was sacked by Canberra, and why Cronulla did the same after Carney split with the Roosters. Now, it seems, Carney has settled down.
Every club that makes that move hopes they will be the one that turns the player around, but what usually happens is that the player himself eventually decides whether he will turn around or not.
And that decision is often based on how quickly his opportunities are running out and whether he is sensible enough to do something about it.
There is no guarantee Dugan will turn himself around at his next club. If he went to the Dragons, would he afford the coach, Steve Price, respect? Price has no guarantee of his own future, and that is part of the problem at the Dragons.
They have struggled to attract players, and that struggle will only become greater while they keep losing and while it remains unclear who will coach them next season.
Potential player recruits want to know who is going to coach them, and if a club can’t tell them for sure then that is an easy way for the player to put a line through them and move further along in the decision-making process.
I don’t know who is going to coach St George Illawarra next year, but like the vast majority of the league world I’ll be stunned if it is Price.
For how much longer are the current Dragons players going to listen to him if the club is showing no sign of backing him by giving him a new contract?
Some people suggested there were signs of improvement from St George Illawarra in their 30-17 loss to Canberra last weekend, but everything is relative.
The Raiders had their own problems, coming off two floggings in the first two rounds and the Dugan drama.
Neither side would have gone into that game with great confidence, and even though Canberra got the win it was still just a step – rather than a leap – for them.
They still have issues to do with their play that they need to deal with as well.
The Dragons really didn’t come far at all. Their attack is poor, and that just puts too much pressure on a defence that used to be their strength.
Wayne Bennett left St George Illawarra after his three-year contract as coach was up, even though the Dragons wanted to keep him, and then, after just a year of Price, the Dragons went after Craig Bellamy for next year and couldn’t get him.
These are coaches renowned for making good decisions.
The Dragons had a team that was starting to age even when they won the competition, in 2010, and since then that ageing process has taken full effect.
There is no easy way out for the club from here.
droppa
Guest
yes wer'e thinking you know nothing & we are right..
Charles NSW
Guest
How wonderful it is to see the Dragons firing! Sure they have a long way to go but they are being competitive and have room to grow. Nathan Fiend is working hard in his role as halfback. He is an experienced player who may find another foot in his new position. In regards to Soward, I would take him anytime. To those that say he is scared, did they see that head on tackle he did and he also lead by example. Steve Price has shown he is capable and will continue to improve.
Big Time
Guest
"What are those of you who thought it wrong to label St George Illawarra as wooden-spoon contenders thinking now? After three rounds they are already in that battle up to their ears. Only the supremely awful Warriors are keeping them from the bottom of the table at this stage, and the schedule of an away game against Cronulla this weekend suggests it will be four losses from four rounds for the Dragons" This was the first few paragraphs of this article. I was one of the ones who thought it was wrong to label the Dragons as wooden-spoon contenders. After 5 rounds I am sticking by my pre-season prediction that the Dragons have the side to make the Top 8. I admit I was not sure about Price and Fien, but they are proving a few people wrong. Price is doing an excellent job of bringing in the young blokes, Stockwell for example has been excellent the last couple of weeks, De Belin finally got a little taste on the weekend and was whacking blokes, and Drinkwater got his first taste of the year. Price has also made some big changes to how the Dragons play and all of a sudden tries are coming, whilst the rock solid defence remains. Fien has found an extra leg under the new structure, which maybe he has something to do with, as it has a little bit of Warriors second phase about it.
The Rolling Maul
Guest
Does anyone know if St George or the Waratahs have a 'no dickheads' recruitment policy like the Swans? Certainly it seems that the Rebels don't. Then again, they got rid of Danny Cipriani and Adam Byrnes. Anyway, to assist all these teams I've developed a 'Are you a Dickhead?' test. 10 simple questions that even a dickhead could understand. Check it out at http://therollingmaul.blogspot.com.au/.
Bazzio
Roar Guru
I agree that Merrin is a distinct Blues possibility, but winning club teams usually contribute more rep players. B Moz was run down from behind & in the clear by Justin Hodges = he's lost speed, + he's not getting the ball because Dragons attack is shut down well inside him = he's hung out & dry
Charles NSW
Guest
I am sure Morris and possibly Merrin will be in the NSW SOO!
Bazzio
Roar Guru
They'd be up on the roof-tops to see ;P
Bazzio
Roar Guru
Smart coaches have contingency plans. Dragons halves were the main problem positions all last year, & Hornby went an extra year before retiring to help the team out because there were no back-up halves. Once Kyle Stanley went down & out, the scramble was on to fix what already should have been covered by contingency in a dilemma that was known of since beginning 2012. Price has shown that he's not up to the job in that are alone, & is a well paid spectator IMHO. Whenever Price is shown in the dressing room @ half-time on TV, he's walking around with hands in pockets not talking to anyone ~ what does that say?
Bazzio
Roar Guru
One of the few blessings that come from bottom of the ladder ~ no rep players = full strength side all year. That may well be a great benefit providing that some kind of "full strength" can actually be found!
Charles NSW
Guest
It is funny to say this but Nathan Fein is faring better in stats this year then Mitchell Pearce and yet Mitchell is possibly going to be the NSW Blues 1/2 back 2013.
Dean- Surry Hills
Guest
Do you recommend that I purchase a two or three bedroom apartment Mr Hooker?
Mango Jack
Guest
It'd be great to see Dugan and Beale together at the same club. You'd get a bigger crowd at training than a game, just to watch the 2 of them go at each other.
Mango Jack
Guest
At Flemington and Randwick?
Warren
Guest
Yes Wollongong and surrounding areas are fantastic. Having spent time in places such as Kiama which is about 30 minutes away I could not think of a better place to live. Out of the city, limited traffic and close enough to family and friends if you need to visit.
mushi
Roar Guru
I don't think you could even spend that much in the high roller room at the canberra Casino
oikee
Guest
No worries Johnno,. It was better in the 80's Johnno, we all had more fun back then. Cheers.
Charles NSW
Guest
It is hard to see the club not firing but give the coach some time to see what he can do! It is hard when there is a problem with the halves combination but he does get paid well to find the solution.
oikee
Guest
Ok, i agree, and if they step over the mark like Carney and Dugan have, then sack them. But let us not throw them away like convicts or leaches. They should still be able to try again until they get it right. Carney needed about 5,,,,ok maybe 10 chances, but still, he seems alright now. Well as alright as he will ever be, he is not a rocket scientist, and never will be. hehe. I am sure the lads out in the mines earning 200 thousand a year can drink till their hearts content. Should we be monitoring them. Dont get me wrong, i am not saying these guys are beyond punishment, but gee whiz, nobody has been murdered have they. ? There young blokes, full of testy and me me me attitiude. I can live with that, as long as they come good after we perservered. Like i said the other day, one saved is a good day, we have kept a troubled kid off the streets, our neibours dont have to deal with that one. As a code rugby league is doing some good work, we are being recoognised for that work worldwide, hence the community indigenous award we won in London last year. We cant lose sight of that, by throwing these guys away is not the right thing to do, we must give them as much or many chances as we can take. And as a code, we seem unbreakble, we have been hit with that many axes we are axe proof. Beware the acid. :)
Johnno
Guest
Oikee thanks mate for worrying, but im doing good still happy and loving life. Just my beef is i get so angry when i see such talent, wasting away, and disregard for there teammates. I seem to only do a few oikee, i should of hung out with you in the 80's mate, you played hard on the field, worked hard, and played hard hard off it. Good man oikee, maybe these 2 need a fresh start but they better toughen up, and group oikee this aint the 80' anymore mate these footballers are now full time professionals now mate, they gotta shape up or ship out.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Essendon and Cronulla both have had good starts to the season. Maybe they should call that nice Mr Danks gentleman?