Despite slipping to their fourth straight NRL defeat since Paul Vaughan’s infamous barbecue, St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin is adamant his team’s NRL season isn’t finished.
The Dragons lost further ground in the tight race for the top eight with a 20-12 loss to Canberra on the Gold Coast on Friday.
Given both teams started the game equal on points and for-and-against differential, the defeat has left the Dragons’ finals hopes teetering with four games to play.
Griffin’s team lead 8-0 early at Cbus Super Stadium but couldn’t fight their way back after Tom Starling put the Raiders ahead early in the second half.
It means since Vaughan hosted a BBQ that breached public health orders, and led to the former NSW front-rower being sacked by the club and several Dragons players being suspended, the Dragons have slipped from seventh to 11th on the ladder.
Friday’s game was the first for the Dragons without captain Ben Hunt, who broke an arm in last weekend’s loss to South Sydney.
“Our season’s not over but it’s been hard,” Griffin said.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
“Ever since Magic Round we haven’t been able to put out best side out.
“We lose our captain last week but tonight we had opportunity to win that game.
“They (Canberra) just got the points too easy, a dummy-half try and two kick tries.
“To their credit, defended their own line really well in the second half and didn’t give us a sniff.”
Adding to the Dragons’ concerns, they lost centre Cody Ramsay in the opening minute after a clash of heads with teammate Andrew McCullough while Tariq Sims, Zac Lomax and Jack De Belin were placed on report.
The Raiders, who moved back into the top eight with the win, had Jordan Rapana and Emre Guler placed on report but coach Ricky Stuart was just delighted to come away with a vital win before their clash next weekend against table-topping Melbourne.
“It’s a win,” Stuart said.
“If we defend like that in the first half next week we’ll get beaten by 60.
“We tested ourselves because in the first ten or so minutes there we turned the ball over twice when we got the footy in our end and gave them an opportunity.
“Fortunately we showed a fair bit of resolve to defend it because they threw a lot of shape at us.”
While the Raiders face a tough challenge against the Storm, life isn’t much easier next week for the Dragons, who face Penrith before a run home including games against the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I'll put my hand up for that one 40/20. I wasn't a fan of Saab, still not. I think Ravalawa and Ramsay are better wingers.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I also thought Griffin could turn Saints around. I'm tired of watching his after match press conferences, the boring monologue, Griffin is no better than Mary was.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Careful Tony, you'll earn the wrath of the Broncos old boys suggesting Kevvie should go, by the way i agree.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
They should take Brad Arthur along with them
KenW
Roar Rookie
He was considered a star in the making so most wanted him around. There was a bit of jeering when he asked for a release saying it wasn't about money but the commute, and then went to Manly for more money and a longer drive.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I used to hear some of the punters say that Menzies was overrated and he only looked good because of Cliffy Lyons. It's a strangely illogical view of a situation. I claimed Manly needed a player or two who could go the distance and can't complain because that's exactly what Saab can do. Saab has plenty of improvement in him but in most games has been very handy.
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
This season is gone. Time to look forward to 2022. The rest of this year should be spent giving maximum game time to Amone, Sloan and Sullivan.
Wayne Turner
Guest
I'm glad Saab left. He has a shocking attitude,and massively overrated. Turbo makes him look good.When Turbo has been out,even recently,Saab has been terrible.
Wayne Turner
Guest
(Delusional) Hook is correct,season not over yet for the Dragons. Still four more games to lose...
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I can't recall any Saints fans shedding any tears when Saab left, my memory seems to recall a fair bit of rejoicing?
KenW
Roar Rookie
That backline selection yesterday was certainly up there with Mary's oddest. Bird has been really good this year but his game in 2021 is way better suited to centre/2nd row - at fullback his lack of pace or positioning nous made him predictably ineffective. I like Ramsay but he's a winger who may develop into a fullback, obviously he only played 30secs last night but nothing I've seen suggests that he should be in the centres in the first place. Surely Dufty, Feagai/Ramsay, Bird, Lomax, Rava would have had way more impact - especially when Hunt is out and they needed to cover his missing creativity.
BustlingBillDunn
Roar Rookie
Had high hopes for Hook but this is Mary all over again. Picking players out of position - Bird roving from 2nd row to fullback - Jackson Ford, already a smallish 2nd rower, playing prop rotation the last few games - selecting an actual prop on the bench in Jaiyden Hunt then giving him 10 minutes per game the last few games what the hell? Then there's recruiting over the hill rejects from other clubs instead of blooding junior talent who then bail for greener pastures. Every time I see Saab kill it for Manly I want to cry, okay Hook we have Disaster Mary to blame for that one, Luciano Leilua too, killing it for the Tigers. Woe to we Dragons supporters.
Tony
Roar Guru
Agree Ken
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Hook wait a minute, you are holding the NRL ladder table upside down. Now turn it around. There you go old son see, not so flash after all. Kevvie, now your turn……
KenW
Roar Rookie
Can we at least now drop the narrative that spreading the suspensions was a way of going light on the Dragons? It was done for the NRL, who didn't want the Dragons fielding a reserves+borrowed players team and making a ridiculous spectacle on TV, or worse, forfeiting a game. The Dragons would have been far better off with the penalties being served in that first week. Sure that first Manly game would have been a washout with no players. It would have been in the rearview mirror though for the last 3 weeks which included games against the Titans and Raiders (they would have still been outsiders for the Souths game of course, but could have made a better fist of it).
no one in particular
Roar Guru
The season is over And the Dragons fans will come into 2022 with optimism, they will perform well the first 6 games, talk of a top 4 spot, Griffin will get an extension, then Anzac Day will come and the annual collapse begins. Repeat in 2023
kk
Roar Pro
In a word. Squandered. Fumbled play the ball attempts and kicking the ball dead were very expensive. STI donated the Raiders territory and possession, the enemy's energies preserved. Bird tried, but he is not good enough for a first grade F/B. ' Chris Sutton will soon have his own Tv Segment. The 'Chris Sutton Round Up.' Got it right most times. CS is improving every season.
Tony
Roar Guru
The NRL should build a care home where old and delusional coaches can retire to and spend their days kicking chairs, swapping excuses and drawing on white boards. Kevvie, Hook, Ricky and Madge can pack their bags now.
Walter Black
Guest
"“Ever since Magic Round we haven’t been able to put out best side out" Right there is the reason why the Dragons season is over and Griffin will never be a great coach. Once you start looking for excuses like that then you are accepting mediocrity, you are saying to everyone but your first team that it is OK to lose. There have been many teams this season that have had huge injury tolls yet kept on trying and sometimes winning. The Roosters are a classic example here. So NO. with an attitude like that, Your season is over.
andrew
Roar Rookie
You can take your rose coloured glasses off Anthony. As much as I’d like to see Saints in the finals, it’s not going to happen. Start planning for next year, after all,it’s the last year of your contract.