The Dragons, despite all the off-season buys, played exactly like last year and the year before under coach Steven Price.
The 2010 premiers were well out of the game at 38-4 down when Souths started thinking about their season opener against the Roosters and went into preservation mode.
Souths were clearly vastly superior in both attack and defence, with the Dragons producing all the basic errors which made them cellar dwellers last year.
Souths finished up their scoring after Josh Dugan split a John Sutton bomb and from the ensuing set the Rabbitohs capitalised through George Burgess who barged over from close range, injuring Dugan in the process.
As the match drew to an end, Adam Quinlan, who was brought on as Dugan’s replacement, scored a try.
New recruit Peter Mata’utia also showed some dash and managed two tries to bring the score to 38-20, but the fulltime result flattered the Dragons.
Star fullback Josh Dugan was carried from the field in the second half with a knee injury. Dugan will have scans on Monday.
South Sydney’s superstar Greg Inglis also failed to finish the match after a head knock but is ok. Five-eighth Dylan Walker will be monitored after feeling a twinge in his hamstring.
The St George supporters in the 14,633 crowd left WIN Stadium fearing a long cold season ahead, while Souths got what they came for, a solid trial win to prepare them for the first round of the NRL.
The Dragons need to have a close look at themselves in the two weeks before their opening game against fellow cellar dwellers the Tigers.
robbo's rabbit's
Guest
Very easily pleased....
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
This match really doesn't mean very much and shouldn't be considered as a preview to their season. Now that Dugan's out though, they might need to get used to some similar scorelines.Don't start calling for Steve Price to be sacked just yet.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
I know that the track record for NRL coaches being sacked getting re-employed is not good, but he came from the juniors so maybe that is the place for him. Despite the propaganda coming out of the Dragons camp about optimism for the new season the Dragons are basically a team without confidence and they will go nowhere like that. Despite the propaganda coming out of the team about support for the coach, how can they have support when his track record is as a player is just 12 NRL games for 2 tries and 4 goals and his winning percentage as NRL coach is 35%. If Steve Price were on the coaching market today would he find a job? Is he an inspiration for the Dragons team and fans? Would Wayne Bennett still give him a good reference? The Dragons administrators should have worked out the answers to these questions a long time ago, but Price who worked his way up the junior dragons coaching ranks is a survivor and probably knows the politics of the Club better than most
Goran
Guest
Yes... I agree that Steve Price must be sacked. But the problem also starts with Peter Doust who blames St Wayne for the past 3 years. They have signed up all these players and if you sack Steve Price you are stuck again. Peter Doust should have pulled his thumb out of his mouth and thought why didn't Bellamy come to St George Illawarra????? The team that was in place was probably what he didn't want. How can you have a game plan when the players don't work together. Steve Price kept talking about rebuilding but I didn't see any rebuilt team. St George Illawarra have the same game plan from St Wayne Bennett. Flick it to to Morris. The members must unite and protest. Just like the Sydney FC fans. The members are the power. Oust the Doust Send Price to Newcastle
JohnnoMcJohnno
Guest
I'm quite pleased by the Dragons effort, given I thought they'd lose by at least 20.
jamesb
Guest
Steve Price has to go. When the Dragons have the ball, they all stand still, not sure what to do with the ball. If the coach can't put an input into how a side attacks, then he needs to go. That has been the trouble with the Dragons, can't score points. Put simply, Price has to go.
Ryan McGillivray
Roar Rookie
Usually I'm a defender of head coaches. I don't like seeing a couch get sacked part way through a season. I make an exception with Steve Price. He needs to be shown the door. On paper the Dragons don't have a bad side. It's not particularly brilliant either. But it has potential to grow into something great... So long as Price isn't at the helm (and The Saints stop recruiting exclusively from Canberra)
The Tippy Tipster
Guest
Bunnies showed Manly charity in 2nd half of grand final eliminator last year, too. Nice fluffy bunnies.