Dragons vow to stay in hunt for NRL finals

He rushed up on Milf, creating the overlap, who then threw the pass to Oates to finish in the corner.

Wasn't it Widdop who got turned inside out by Milford anyway?

Barretts first two years at the Eagles or so similar to Haslers first two at the Eagles that it is scary. Limping into the eight would be the same as Haslers lot at the same stage. The odd flogging means nothing if you're heading in the right direction which I hope the Eagles are.

Watching the game last night against the Broncos highlighted exactly why I thought they would miss the eight. They were physically stronger than their opponents but why didn't they win with that advantage? Predictable play from predictable players. Yes exactly my point. Putting 50 on Manly doesn't prove anything. They played right up to their potential in the first part of the year but as I thought it wouldn't last the distance. Their predictability is their achilles heal as I predicted. The Broncos have plenty of good players with a lot of imagination who are not so predictable. I can assure you that a points differential which was acquired largely in the first part of the season means nothing now. They Saints try hard but they resemble the Dogs from last year. A potential top 8 side with not enough spark or surprise to challenge for the crown. Unless the coach can do something different as well as getting some creative players they could follow the dogs down the gurgler next year as well. They'll probably beat the Eagles at Win stadium but it won't mean much.

We can all look forward to the man playing for the dragons next year according to McGregor. If that's the way he thinks no wonder they are sliding down the ladder. Never rated him at all.

Yes 50, count em, 50 points against Manly - but then the Knights beat them. Manly's not a great benchmark this season. Belted by the Dragons, but then they turn around and smash the Roosters to everyone's amazement. They're sort of in the start-up entrepreneur phase this season, if I can use the analogy - some things work; some don't. They'll mature and give it a real shake next year, or the year after at the latest. Plus, they won't be paying for Steve Matai and the Snake in the salary cap, which the usual conspiracy against Manly has forced them to do this year even though everyone knew both players were broken and had retired. Dugan is an enigma. It'd be interesting to put his brain in a vat and perform experiments on it to see what's going on in there. I'm just happy he's not turning up to take any of my grandaughters out. I'd have to put the camouflage paint on and wait in the hedge.

Maybe Frizell is too tough for his own good? Maybe he'd have been better placed having a couple of weeks off to get his injuries right if he's playing busted. But he's well below his best and has been for an extended period. I agree about Dugan. I don't think the defender had much clue he just got his arm in the right place at the right time making the tackle and knocked the ball loose. If it hadn't come off the back of his error that conceded a try it wouldn't have looked as bad.

Good comments The eye! Looking at next year we have some talent coming through which we did not have this year. We now have a fullback who should continue to improve and have Nightingale there as a back up. Ben Hunt coming in will do exactly what was just said by you in that we will have more nounce to attack with. We do have concern with the centres as Lafai and Aitkens need more time to develop. We also probably need two more good forwards to add to our grunt Perhaps these players can come from the lower grade to put some pressure there Kurt Mann there is a lot to like about him but where is his best position? I think 5/8 but should be kept for the halves and hooker role filling in for every game. So with a few more players to groom in we will be high up in the ladder next year.

A bit harsh Roberto. 5 tries to 2 and those 2 came from kicks. He took Glenn around the legs both times, stopped one try but too close to the line in the 2nd attempt. Earlier in the year Milford pushed through Gallen and Graham to put one the Sharks and last night, those last 4 steps he took before scoring were all in different directions. Blame Mann if you will but Milford has a habit of beating much better than Kurt Mann on the way to the line.

St George aren't out of it yet, but will need to beat the Panthers next week and Dogs the following week to have any chance. I thought they played OK against a very committed Broncos defence last night. A few errors ( eg Dugan) cost them plenty. As for Frizell, I tend to agree with you Baz. He seems to be plagued with injury issues that he has been carrying much of this year. Even so I don't think he is even the best backrower in the Dragons team let alone State of Origin material. I think Joel Thompson offers more overall impact than Frizell and he plays 80 minutes each week.

I think theyve done really well considering theyve had to rely on one man to organize their attack..and hes basically the only one with any nouse in the entire side...its an excellent pack of forwards...Frizelle hasnt been right all year and its a real credit to him to back up each week and invite further battering..Dragons have to offer incentives to keep him out of the world cup and get him cured...theyve got grunt,no one is more under rated than AH Mau,theyve got fire,theyve got hole runners and theyve got workhorses....they aint got Milford... comments on Dugan are harsh on the muffed try..looked like a very nice depossess to me..and gee,Darius dropped a far easier one for 6 but Milf eventually got him out of it...so theres no need for talk on that..

Kurt Mann was the best player for the Broncos last night. Missed Glenn and Milford for two tries. That's your 12 point difference right there. Coach Mary, get the boy to do extra-extra tackling at training.

How lucky are we that Doust locked up Mary before another team poached him :/

There is a list of players as long as ya leg , who bludge their way through games ,but seem to get noticed when they do have a dig. Frizell is definitely one of them and I've thought this for quite some time. I concurred with Renegade about a month back that a Dragon capitulation was imminent , and I stand by it .

I seem to recall the Dragons putting 50 on Manly in the past few weeks, presumably using the same, predictable play you're referring to? They still have a better points differential (87), than all but two sides above them (Storm & Broncos), so not sure how they stacks up in terms of predictable play? The reason for their great start was exactly the point your making - they were using their forwards to offload and create second phase play. For what ever reason, this style of play has largely disappeared over the rest of the season. Not sure if its been "coached" out or what, but if they get back to that next year, I reckon they'll be lock for the eight. I hope Dugan was one of the 9 blokes playing crook/injured. He did his team zero favours with his performance last night. Luckily, he'll be the Sharkies problem next year.

Despite starting the season at 6-1 I predicted at that time that they would miss the eight. I got a few funny looks at the time but it was a strong gut feel. Watching them last night I was trying to convert my early season gut feel into something more concrete. Despite putting in a big effort against the Broncos I reckon my lack of faith in the Saints is based on their lack of imagination across the park. This means they are predictable and against a decent team who will defend for most of the 80 minutes they are in trouble. I could be wrong but I can really see on opening in the game for some creative forwards like Bryce Cartwright ( playing to his potential ) Offloads are a completely different thing to manipulating a teammate thru a gap and Saints could really do with a couple of this type.

Tough road for the Drags from here but they've had a good crack this year and will be better for having Ben Hunt in the team. Dufty looks the goods but gee he cops some punishment. If he can get a bit of upper body strength in the off season he could be a real good player. I know this won't be popular but I really think Frizell is one of the most over rated players going around. He's so damaging at his best but he goes missing for big chunks of games. He comes up with the odd big play but not much happens in between. Over rated is probably harsh but the gap between his best and his standard is frustratingly large.