St George Illawarra’s top eight hopes are in dire straits after barely firing a shot in their 28-8 NRL loss to Cronulla.
While the Sharks were far from impressive in front of 12,792 at Remondis Stadium, the Dragons failed to overcome a slew of key outs as they slumped to their fifth straight loss.
With Trent Merrin suspended, Benji Marshall a late omission with a hamstring injury and Josh Dugan failing to overcome an arm problem suffered in State of Origin III, the Dragons looked disjointed in attack.
The Dragons will end the round on the edge of the top eight after leading the competition just six weeks ago while the Sharks jumped into ninth.
Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen, backing up from Wednesday’s Origin decider, was tireless with 185 metres from 20 runs and 24 tackles while Andrew Fifita ran for a game-high 203 metres.
The Sharks went into the sheds up 16-4 but the Dragons were lucky to be in the contest after the home side dominated the opening 40 minutes.
Luke Lewis celebrated his 250th NRL match by scoring one of his side’s three first-half tries.
The second half turned into an arm wrestle and the Dragons had their share of opportunities in the Sharks’ 20 metre zone but failed to convert.
Cronulla iced the game in the 66th minute when Andrew Fifita scooped up a Michael Ennis grubber.
Ben Barba celebrated an eye-catching performance, which also included one of the year’s best try-savers, on Ben Creagh, when he put the icing on the cake three minutes later.
Runciman scored a consolation four-pointer to bag a double.
Charles NSW
Guest
I think the Dragons will come out firing with their top players coming back so you can expect a close showing!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Apart from maybe dragons fans - i don't think anyone thought they were going to win the comp. I've been expecting this fall from the dragons all year - you look at their squad and Mary has them over achieving.... if they make the finals - I think he is well placed for the coach of the year award... but I personally don't think they'll get there.
3 Hats
Guest
So how many of you are still calling for Macgregor to be coach of the year? 8 weeks ago you all thought they were going to win the Comp. Best defence...pfff. Souths will put plenty on them this week.
3 Hats
Guest
Yeah, well Ken the Rabbitohs will put 30 on them this week mate. They will be in 10th Position after Saturday.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
You're right Jay C. And at the start of this season Rick Stone was being hailed as a God for resurrecting the Knights and now he's struggling to hold his job.
Jay C
Roar Guru
It's interesting NQ. Has a coach ever proven themselves or are only as good add their last outing. 12 months ago a lot of people were saying Bennett couldn't coach.
Charles NSW
Guest
Actually from my observation I think he can coach on what he has shown so far
NQ Cowboy
Guest
No mate, it wasn't directed at you. Just making a comment about the fickle nature of coaching. It's way too early to know whether Mcgregor can coach or not.
Charles NSW
Guest
I never ever said that he could not coach if it is aimed at me!
NQ Cowboy
Guest
It's funny how in the 1st 3 rounds, Paul Mcgregor apparently couldn't coach, then all of a sudden he was a great coach. So does this latest losing streak mean that he's a bad coach again?
JohnnoMcJohnno
Roar Rookie
You're right Ken, shouldn't be pessimistic. They have time to turn it around. I thought they played with enthusiasm on the weekend and just having Benji or Duges back on the paddock should spark some confidence. Still a tough couple of games coming up - I hope they're up to it.
Charles NSW
Guest
The Dragons need to correct their problems and I am sure McGregor is just coach to do that I think with one more win they have improved double to last year which is a great effort
Ken
Guest
Season may be over? Slightly dramatic, there's 7-8 rounds to go and they're currently in the 8. They need to get the 1st grade team back on the park pronto but they are not exactly hanging by mathematical fingernails at this point. Roosters are the comp favourites and they lost 4 in a row when they had a bad run with injury too.
JohnnoMcJohnno
Roar Rookie
So in summary, they have to fix up their defense, and their attack is their major problem. I'd say they were stuffed. Creagh had a poor game yesterday, and clearly doesn't understand the new tackle infringement rules even though they've been in place all season. Maybe he's just getting too old. I'm not a Mitch Rein fan either - defensively he's fine but the attack always looks more positive when L'estrange is on. Thought George Rose made a difference too in the time he was on. When they get Duges, Marshall, Merrin and Frizzel back they might get back to winning but the season may be over by then.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm not sure if he was put on report. I just assumed he was since everyone is now put on report.
Samtwocan
Guest
Gotta admit squidders that any team coached by Clint is going to be dangerous come finals time ...
Charles NSW
Guest
The Dragons have to fix up their defence as they are letting the attack come to them instead of the other way around Ben Creagh it is time for you to go mate, you cannot keep giving penalties in every game, I think it was three yesterday He battles to break the line and his tackles is simply lying on top of players The attack is their major problem and the coach really needs to do his homework or they are gone for this year
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Although 1st and 2nd don't mean much other than confidence of you're first with 40 comp points or have come first with 30 comp points it's still the same game week 1 in sept
Jay C
Roar Guru
I'm glad to see Barba doing well. A lot of Broncos fans probably don't like him, but I don't mind him. He didn't handle the move to the halves well at Brisbane. But that can probably come down to the coach more than anything. I had the Sharks at 6 before seasons beginning and it would be nice to at least get one pre season prediction right.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I didn't realize it was placed on report. Surely the penalty was enough, simple case of Creagh being at fault because he's got chicken legs.