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With just five games remaining, the St George Illawarra Dragons are fourth on the NRL ladder, with a healthy points differential of +107. Yet I won’t relax until they are confirmed as finals participants following the completion of Round 25.
No team this high on the ladder has come under as much criticism as the Dragons, despite the fact they have been entrenched inside the top four all season, which no other side can boast.
But they have been scrappy lately, highlighted by their inept showing against the Roosters, where they were never really in the contest and did well to only be beaten 36-18.
So where to now?
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They must win all their remaining regular-season games to have any chance of taking out the premiership. They have one of the softest runs leading into the finals, playing four sides outside the top eight, with the other match being against the bumbling Warriors.
The Red V are expected to win all these games – and they should – but recent results suggest they could claim victory in just one or two, and limp into the finals.
So how does Paul McGregor reignite his men?
Firstly, give Luciano Leilua more game time. The man is prodigiously talented but is limited to brief stints in the second half. Get him on mid-way through the first half and see what he can do.
Secondly, demote Tim Lafai. This may seem like a big call, given he has been a mainstay in the centres all season, but he isn’t threatening enough and doesn’t score many tries. Zac Lomax has been back for a couple of weeks now and looks the likeliest to force his way in; it’s time McGregor shed his conservative approach and took a risk.
Thirdly, trade Kurt Mann for Jai Field. Mann has been good in recent seasons this year he hasn’t provided enough impact off the bench. Field boasts outstanding speed, but has been languishing in reggies, and is too talented to be held back, especially with the Dragons struggling to penetrate defences.
I’d also have a very close look at Joe Lovodua, who has already represented Fiji and looks very likely.
Those are my thoughts, feel free to let me know what you would do to turn the Dragons’ fortunes around.
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