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Will a change in coach allow the St George Illawarra Dragons to play at their best and upset the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Monday night football? Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEST.
The Dragons are coming off a bye and would have had plenty of time for reflection since their disastrous 36 nil defeat to the Eels in round 10.
That defeat was the final nail in the coffin for former coach Steve Price who has since been replaced by Paul McGregor.
History suggests that teams do have a tendency to spring upset results when a new coach takes over mid-season and Dragons fans will be hoping that McGregor’s presence lifts spirits at a club in the running for the wooden spoon.
While the Rabbitohs start heavy favourites tonight, they would be great fools to underestimate the Dragons. The last time they played at ANZ Stadium, the Dragons managed to come back from 12 points down in the last 10 minutes to eventually win in golden point late last season.
That particular result stung the Rabbitohs big time and they should have learned plenty of lessons from that defeat.
Like the Roosters, the Rabbitohs are yet to hit top gear this season. They certainly have the names on paper to challenge for the title but a lack of consistency and intensity in the key moments has cost them vital wins.
Their loss to the Raiders earlier in the season was a real low point for the Rabbitohs at home, and they can ill-afford to show up with similar intensity against a Dragons side eager to impress after a poor past few weeks.
Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall and Josh Dugan are all capable of causing South Sydney trouble if the home side continue to start games lethargically.
A fit and firing Rabbitohs outfit should win tonight but the Dragons should also be expected to give a good account of themselves.
Rabbitohs by 14