“The Dragons are underperforming”, “Price has to go”, “this
just isn’t good enough”, “we are a proud club and this is unacceptable.”
Probably the four most repeated phrases at every St George Illawarra Dragons
game both at the ground, at the leagues club and at home. After finishing 14th
on the ladder with just 7 wins, a dismal points differential of -151, and
ranked above only the Tigers and the Eels, perhaps two of the worst performing
sides we’ve seen in some time, it is fair to say the Saints had an awful year.
I wouldn’t personally put them in the same category as the Tigers and the Eels
because at the least, they managed to keep themselves together internally, but
to say it was disappointing is an understatement.
The Dragons started the year with three losses. Not the
ideal start for anyone but it was forgivable. Gerard Beale was new to the side
and was still fitting in. Kyle Stanley had been ruled out for the year before
even playing a match, wasting an entire pre-season of building tactics around
him in the halves. Nathan Fien was playing in an unfamiliar position. Melbourne
Storm (in round 1) were the reigning premiers and well round 3 saw the return
of the Canberra hoodoo. So it was forgivable, especially since the next three
rounds saw gutsy wins from the boys in the Big Red V. Against two sides who
eventually made the top 8, this gave the Saints some hope. But really, it was
all downhill from there.
An ANZAC day thrashing was just the start. This was also the
day Price was given a new three-year contract extension. A close game in
Kogarah against Manly was lost by only 6 points (all of which were Soward’s
unconverted goals) but was clearly disheartening. Another loss the next round
by 1 point again could have been won if Soward learnt to kick straight. Little
did we know that those missed kicks were a sign to say Soward did not want to
be there anymore. So off he went. He announced a deal with the Panthers, lost
even more interest in the Saints and eventually ended up at the London Broncos.
I would be wrong to say that Soward messed with the Dragons season but I truly
believe his poor attitude at the start and his sudden disappearance act left
the Dragons in a situation they possibly could have avoided.
Round 11 saw the Dragons lose 19-0 against the Panthers at
their sacred home ground, Kogarah Oval. This is when the whispers started and
the pressure began. The Dragons were making do with what they had. Beale was
out, Morris and Nightingale tried their best in a position they clearly don’t prefer.
Chase Stanley was in and out of the halves while Fien did all he could to
control the game. Drinkwater gave it a run but it wasn’t meant to be. Merrin,
the clubs best player of the season, and Morris, a cult figure at the Saints,
had Origin commitments. Matt Cooper still wasn’t fit. It was the excuse given
after every loss, the same words spat out “we were in it for 60 minutes but they
were just too good. We’ll improve next week”. The losses were adding up though
and top 8 was becoming further and further out of reach, but the fans stayed
put.
Until a 36-0 thumping after the bye by the eventual
premiers, the Roosters, in front of a passionate home crowd at Kogarah. This
time the fans would not be nice. They were after blood and Price was in the
firing line. The only shining light was that Josh Dugan had fit in really well
into the club and, despite initial mixed feelings, the fans were grateful.
After the second bye the Dragons came out firing with a massive upset over
premiership favourites, the Rabbitohs. It was a miraculous, gutsy win that
deserves every bit of praise and credit. It was truly the highlight of the
year. Fans had their hopes up for a last minute dash to the top eight but it
just didn’t happen. Loss after loss was highlighted when the Dragons could not
even beat the only two teams below them on the ladder. I actually began to question
how we were not about to “win” the wooden spoon. The year finished on somewhat of a high, with
a handy win over the Warriors in front of a home crowd to farewell the retiring
or leaving players. All in all, it was a bad season.
So where did it go wrong? Well I have already mentioned the
huge amount of injuries and to be quite frank, the team simply ran out of
players. Then there is the fact that those players who were on the field were
either young and inexperienced or ageing and past their prime. And finally we
arrive at the coach. So much blame was put onto Steve Price but a recent
investigation launched by the club into his fitness for the role concluded that
he is still the man for the job. I personally agree. He is partly to blame for
the lack of tactics and set plays, and it is his job to make the best of what
he is give in regards to the injuries and ageing team, but he is not the
reasons players were dropping the ball, misplacing kicks, missing tackles and
losing concentration in games. That is simply a lack of skill on the players’
behalf. As a Dragons fan myself I learnt to see the positives. Being forced to
use young players meant we’ve “initiated” two future stars in Runcimen and
Quinlan. The good old Dragons fighting spirit never wavered. At the least, we
kept trying, which is more than Parramatta and Wests did.
How does 2014 look? I think it looks bright! Price finally
has the team he wants to work with now that the Dragons have made some great
signings such as Sam Williams, Joel Thompson and of course Gareth Widdop.
Whilst we have also let go of some great players like Chase Stanley and Cameron
King, they have not been replaced by men of lesser talent. I understand Dragons
fans are not used to losing and the question must be asked, how did we end up
14th and the Roosters premiers when we were both in the Grand Final
only 3 years ago? But we are in a phase of getting back up after falling down
and I can assure you, we will get back up. Have faith Dragons fans and believe!
Stick with your team and the rewards will come!
As a fan I would like to give a quick shout out to Matt Cooper, Michael Weyman, Nathan Fien, Matt Prior, Cameron King, Chase Stanley and any other player who will no longer be with us next year. Thank you for the great memories and best of luck in wherever life leads you.
Love,
@LadiesWhoLeague
Love,
@LadiesWhoLeague
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