According to St George coach Steve Price, the Dragons are training really well and he cannot put his finger on what the team are doing wrong.
At the start of the season there were plenty of commentators and fans who could not put their finger on the Dragons’ three-win start to the season, putting them in first place.
But there were some wise fans who said that the Dragons were only winning against the lesser sides, and, in retrospect, they have been proven correct.
St George have failed to beat any of the more favoured sides and have been spanked by 30-point margins in the past two weeks.
With a bye this weekend there is no doubt the team will have two more weeks of impressive training under Steve Price to prepare for Souths.
But while the writing is not exactly on the wall, it is in the banners at Dragons games that Price is to go. Even the Dragons’ web site is promoting the merits of ex-Super League and current Illawarra Cutters coach Ian Millward.
So while the Dragons have a bye in the NRL, there is a NSW Cup match on this weekend. Maybe it will be useful for Steve Price and his NRL squad to go and support the Cutters. They play at 3pm (AEST) on Saturday at Henson Park against the Newtown Jets.
The Cutters are currently second in the NSW Cup after losing to Wentworthville 30-36 in a close match last weekend.
Benji Marshall is one player who could use the game time in the NSW Cup, but he has not been named and after Sam Williams’ two-try performance last weekend maybe Benji will only rate a position on the bench.
I personally thought Benji showed some real spark during his first game for the Dragons, and it is hopefully only a matter of time before his fantastic football brain connects with his legs and hands and delivers the goods for the Dragons. He also set up the first try last weekend against the Eels, which was incorrectly disallowed.
Charly Runciman is also one player that the Dragons’ NRL centres will find difficult to displace in the Cutters team. Runciman knows how to tackle, score tries and pass and receive the ball, which makes him something the Dragons NRL squad could learn from.
Gerard Beale, who has played well in the NRL, is still adjusting to the centre position and causing winger Brett Morris to compress in defence, which was the cause to Morris’ frustration after the first try last week.
So I think a visit to the NSW Cup Dragons versus Jets match might provide a look into the near future for St George.
At his post-match media conference following the loss to the Eels, Steve Price looked like the coaching equivalent of the walking dead. His only glimmer of hope was, “that he could not put his finger on it”.
Well, some commentators have suggested that he should turn his finger around and point it at himself and that is a view not too far from the truth.
At this stage I believe the Dragons squad is playing without confidence in themselves and coach Steve Price, so the removal of Price is only part of the solution. The Warriors acted early in sacking coach Matthew Elliot, and seemed to many to have turned their season around.
The Dragons are going backwards rapidly and need to act sooner rather than later to try and save this season. Let the writing go on the wall by Round 13 at the latest.
If Ian Millward is to take over as coach from Steve Price for the remainder of the season then at least he knows the players and has substantial experience as a head coach in Super League.
But the Dragons should wait until the end of the season before naming a long-term coach, with names such as Laurie Daley, Wayne Bennett, Neil Henry and Tim Sheens also being mentioned in the press.
Crug in the cave
Guest
Pricey's Platoon must consist of Price and his mum. Real fans stick by their club not an under performing coach. Real fans want the best for their team not a coach who admits he has no idea. Our team is being led by a coach with very little guile although I'm sure he is determined however all that is giving us is poor team selection and very poor team direction. Price has not earned the right to lead us into better times. He has had more than enough time to show that he is not up to standard. He must be shown the door along with Doust and Young. We need change and a positive, functional and knowledgeable front office, recruitment and coaching staff.
Crug in the cave
Guest
Pricey's Platoon must consist of Price and his mum. Real fans stick by their club not an under performing coach. Real fans want the best for their team not a coach who admits he has no idea. Our team is being led by a coach with very little guile although I'm sure he is determined however all that is giving us is poor team selection and very poor team direction. Price has not earned the right to lead us into better times. He has had more than enough time to show that he is not up to standard. He must be shown the door along with Doust and Young. We need change and a positive, functional and knowledgeable front office, recruitment and coaching staff.
George Walton
Guest
Steve Price impressed me last year when he described Dugan as a good human being. Great judge.
Priceys' Platoon
Guest
So out come the haters and fakes again to kick Pricey while he's down! Shame, shame, shame. Real fans would back their coach to the bitter end! It's been hard times over the last couple of years but Pricey has taken it on the chin and dragged the club through it with his guile and sheer determination! The brilliant signing of Benji Marshall signals better times to come and Pricey has earned the right to lead us into them! In Pricey we trust!
Muzz
Guest
Price = gorn! It is the coach's job TO put his finger on it. The club has to go for an experienced head coach who can not only get the job done but also attract talent without paying overs. It was the magic formula when Bennett was there...so disappointed we didnt get Bellamy recently. Why would u give Price a contract extension??? Virtually spooners last year (thanks Ricky for saving us from that) and team selections that made no sense - Fein at halfback for the WHOLE season? Come on, he was a very good interchange hooker, but omg....
Pencehead
Guest
How on earth did price get that 1yr contract extension on the back of last years performances? He must of been able to get that pen to paper quick enough! Praying he is jobless after the souths game which we will inevitably loose (almost hoping we get thrashed just so price is shown the door) change is needed. How runiceman isn't starting yet over that spaz Nathan green and at other times Thompson il never know!
Western Fuglie
Guest
Rick Stone??? Just thinking a bit outside the square but I thought he was doing a good job at the Knights till "the Tinkler" got Bennett in, I would be happier with a bloke like that or even a Dave Kidwell instead of a Laurie Dalley( prove me wrong Pinocchio but there's just to much time spent next to sticky for me to Fate him as a coaching messiah) either way it's all up to Doust so your in good hands lol
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
He's gooone!
JohnnoMcJohnno
Guest
Good article Walter and I pray to God Steve Price isn't given lifetime contract. I'm starting to wonder how much Craig Young has contributed to the position the club now finds it is in. He was in charge of recruiting during the clubs decline, and he is now forwards coach of a pack of forwards who can't go forward. Plus his own time as head coach wasn't a big success. I know Price is in charge, has ultimate responsibility, and should go. But maybe some of the support team should go too.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The latest is that Dragons management is apparently actively considering options which may include NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley, Newcastle's Wayne Bennett, Melbourne's Craig Bellamy and Gold Coast assistant coach Neil Henry. Assistant coach Paul McGregor, who is a member of the Blues coaching staff, may be another option after serving a long apprenticeship in the local Illawarra competition and with the club's NSW Cup team. "The club understands and shares the frustrations in relation to recent team performance in particular, and the board and management have been seeking detailed explanations from football management," the Dragons said in a statement on the club's website. "An update will be provided at an appropriate time in the near future." Probably give Price a lifetime contract.