After a 7-1 start to the season, as a passionate Dragons fan, I was dreaming of a return to the glory days of 2009-11 where we dominated the competition. But alas, an untimely knee injury to Gareth Widdop destroyed those early season hopes.
Widdop’s absence and the pre-season loss of rising playmaker Drew Hutchinson exposed the Dragons’ lack of depth in the halves.
Kurt Mann, a utility, was forced to play alongside Josh McCrone who is best described as workmanlike – although that’s probably an insult to tradies everywhere.
McCrone is inconsistent, frustrating, and won’t be missed when he heads off to the Toronto Wolfpack in 2018.
So the Dragons bumbled their way through the Origin period and came out the other side, and despite some forgettable losses against also-rans in the Rabbitohs and Knights, they have somehow found themselves staring at the possibility of finishing in seventh spot, despite beginning Round 26 down in ninth.
The Cowboys, Sea Eagles and Panthers are also fighting it out for finals places, but the Dragons should be favourites out of all four to qualify.
The Cowboys, sans Johnathan Thurston, are brave, but ultimately will fall to the Broncos, leaving them on 30 points.
The Sea Eagles and Panthers will duke it out at Lottoland, and the Sea Eagles will get the job done, moving them up to sixth spot on 32 points.
The Panthers will sit in seventh and the Cowboys in eighth, both on 30 points and enduring a nervous wait to see if their season ends or is extended into the finals.
Come Sunday afternoon, the Dragons will beat the Bulldogs, who, with a number of players already confirmed to be leaving, have looked uninterested in recent weeks.
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James Graham would be a great pick up for the Dragons, and a stellar game on Sunday should be enough to convince the Dragons he is worth it.
He would bring plenty of experience and facial hair to the club, and perhaps teach Jack De Belin a thing or two about growing a beard.
So, the Dragons will enter Sunday still in ninth position, but just two points behind both the Cowboys (8th) and Panthers (7th), so by beating the Dogs they will qualify for the finals with an excellent for and against of +87, superior to both the Panthers (+61) and Cowboys (+34).
It’s a remarkable situation, given the number of games they have fluffed, and yet they still find themselves in touch of the finals and, after such a bright start to the year, it will be great to see them live up to their potential.
It will be a special occasion on Sunday, and I plan on heading up early to grab a good spot on the Eastern side – which has now been deemed unreserved seating – and scoffing down some $2 pies.
It’s a shame the boffins in charge have taken 26 rounds to realise they need to encourage people to get to the game, for much of the season there have been too many reasons not to go.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I was talking it up a bit but in terms of the Dogs season it's definitely a flogging!!! What's with all the Adams Dragons fans?
Adam
Guest
16-2 is hardly a flogging and I think Brett Morris is out isn't he? Bulldogs will be a good test for us but we should be good enough to get the job done and go into the finals on the back of two straight wins. Should be a great game
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'd be devastated to see Graham leave but I think he'd be a good pickup for the Dragons - especially if the dogs are picking up a chunk of the tab. I think the Dragons pack lacks a leader and I think he would be a great influence on guys like De Belin, Vaughan, Sims, Frizell, etc The injury concerns are justified but he really hasn't missed many games overall. He's certainly battered his body over the years but it's far from certain that he's done. He may shake the neck injury with rest. Of concern for next year is that he has the World Cup in the off season.
StAdam
Guest
Agreed in relation to Graham. A machine in his prime - but this season seems to have caught up with him with his neck and back(?) injuries if I'm not mistaken. I completely forgot that he will be suiting up for England in the upcoming WC. If we were to buy him he would still be a good pack leader who could guide a lot of the Dragons' younger brigade around the park. But between Graham, Blair, and RGC - I know who I would prefer. I know he is yet to re-sign with the Panthers - so that's good enough for me. No doubt his manager will want to play out the contract talks and earn as much for his client as possible, however, one thing I have been keeping an eye on is that he has been used a little more sporadically than previous seasons. Perhaps offering him a starting role + an added 50k-100k a season would be enough of an incentive.
KenW
Guest
Personally I think Graham might be on the way down. Just a couple of years back I would have said he was one of the best forwards in the game but this year he has looked off the pace. Where he has often been the valiant forward chasing a try-scorer out wide when someone else has missed a tackle, this year I've seen him miss a tackle himself and not even look up to see if he can chase. He's only 31 and maybe a change of teams will give him a shot of enthusiasm, but his worth always came from his big motor and passion, and he's giving some indication that those wells might be running out. Is RCG an option? Outside of Graham I've only seen talk of Blair. Campbell-Gillard would easily be the choice over those two - he's on the up not the down.
Albo
Guest
I think you might be taking a risk on Graham. He has been a great player and tough leader for a while, but I reckon his body has caught up with the years of wear and tear and he is now on his last legs. Whilst he has an off season commencing soon to try to recuperate for 2018, I wouldn't count on him seeing out another tough season. Regan Campbell-Gillard would be a good buy, but I am sure he won't be on the market if the Panthers have any control of their cap ! The Dragons might be better advised to scour the Gong for some more young junior talent to progress into the big time !
StAdam
Guest
I completely agree TB. As a Dragons fan I am very, very, nervous about this Sunday's game. The Doggies seem to have replaced Canberra as our hoodoo team - our record over the last 10 head to head matches does not make me overly confident. And as you correctly stated, the Dogs have looked better over the last fortnight than they have for the entire season. Not to mention the pressure of a must win game at ANZ to make it into the finals and pip out either the Cows, Panthers, or Manly (depending on other results over the weekend). What are your thoughts on Graham joining us next year? I think either he or RGC from Penrith would be a perfect replacement for the departing Packer.
KenW
Guest
Dogs have certainly looked a bit better in recent weeks. But then again they were playing the Titans & Manly. The Titans actually celebrated a bit as it was the first time in more than a month that they weren't beaten by 20+ points. Have no argument for the previous game between the teams though - we were terrible that day and really didn't deserve the 2 points we got. The Dragons played like a different team this year when they went into games they expected to win - a lack of mental conditioning to focus on their process. By the old gods and the new may that not happen this week!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Don't count your chickens Adam...!!! You think the Dogs "have looked uninterested in recent weeks" (gee, you should have seen us before) The Dogs have towelled up Manly and the Titans in successive weeks with a brand of free flowing footy not seen all season. Guys like Michael Lichaa far from being uninterested are playing for their very careers. All of a sudden the Morris' have found open space and tries have been flowing like wine. Not to mentioned the Dogs have already pantsed the Dragons once this year. A 16-2 flogging if I remember correctly. Dogs have also won the last five straight between the two. On paper the Dragons should win, but I certainly wouldn't be going in super confident if I were a Dragons fan. Danaerys may not be the only dragon getting buggered by a direwolf this week!!!
Jay
Guest
Kidding the dragons it is josh Reynolds farewell !! Beware !!