St George Illawarra are banking on Josh Dugan’s return against his former club, to kick start the joint venture’s troubled start to the NRL season in Canberra on Saturday.
The Dragons finally smashed their long-running hoodoo in the nation’s capital last year and are seeking to repeat the dose in 2015 as they chase their first win of the season.
The joint venture are 0-2 to start the season and have only scored two tries in their opening fixtures, the worst start to a premiership campaign since Canterbury managed just two points in their first two games in 2000.
Hamstrung by a five-day turnaround following their abject loss to Wests Tigers on Monday, the return of Dugan from an ankle injury against the side that sacked him two years ago, shapes as a key inclusion for the struggling Dragons.
Dugan suffered the injury in the first up loss to Melbourne and missed the Tigers clash.
“It’s great to see him out there training that’s for sure,” coach Paul McGregor said on Friday.
“He had a light run yesterday and had another one today and didn’t finish it all, but he did most of it though and we will see how he pulls up in the morning.
“It is really exciting to have him back in the group.
“With him out last week and Ben Creagh, and Benji (Marshall) getting injured early and taking no part (we struggled) but with those three possibly available tomorrow that is a good thing.”
The Dragons have created opportunities to score they just haven’t made the most of them.
They have forced the most line dropouts, are fourth in terms of tackles in the opposition 20, sit sixth in metres gained, ahead of the likes of Sydney Roosters and South Sydney and have recorded the seventh most tackle busts.
“It’s not too far off, it’s obviously early in the year,” McGregor said.
“With the short turnaround it is hard to work on a lot of things on the football field but we have had a look at what we do need to do.”
Dragons fans upset at the form and direction of the joint venture launched a Save Our Saints online campaign primarily across social media on Friday, with the stewardship of club boss Peter Doust squarely in their sights. McGregor said he shared the fans’ pain.
“I understand everyone’s frustration, there is no person hurting more than me and the team,” he said.
“And we are doing every thing to fix that.
“We are just asking them to be patient.”
Tricky Ricky
Guest
Win, lose or draw I hope the Dragons put in a credible performance against the Raiders tonight. After the diabolical performance in the game against the Tigers last Monday night which has resulted in many Dragons fans calling for Doust to stand aside and resign the message is simple, Dugan and his team mates have to step up and do a great job and improve their on field performance tonight not only for themselves, but the club and importantly the Dragons supporters.
Charles NSW
Guest
The Dragons need to win this without a doubt! They should try to win without Dugan giving him more time to get over his injury. It also will give the coach a better insight who can fill his spot if need be as does get hurt a lot. No use the fans getting upset with Doust and McGregor this is the team we have end of story. Fans should support McGregor until we know if we can get in the top eight or not. If not then sack the board and the coach and start again.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Gotta agree, this is the worst start to a season by the Draggies that I can remember. We need a coach without ties to the club, Price was always going to struggle post Bennett,this was the time to bring in new blood, get a coach the players aren't so familiar with. When your top players want out its generally the coach or player roster that's to blame unfortunately we have both problems.
JohnnoMcJohnno
Guest
I love statistics. Forcing the most line dropouts - brilliant, but pointless if you can't hold the ball for repeat sets. 4th in tackles in opposition 20 - awesome, means we've spent a lot of time up field without scoring. 7th most tackle busts, not bad, pity there's no support to take a pass from the player making the break I think St George are pretty low in the missed tackles count as well, great, except west tigers just ran around the defence to score three tries. The sad fact is we haven't looked like winning either game we've played. I don't expect much difference tonight but I live in hope.