Parramatta have been badly underperforming THIS YEAR, at least by the standards set at the back end of last year.
Well of course you're right. But we are doing better than this time last year and Parra are notoriously slow starters.
The Roosters probably haven't been underperforming on an objective analysis, but in terms of how much they were talked up after a couple of early wins, they do look pretty poor currently. None of this explains why Parra and Roosters fans stalk every Dragons match thread looking for some way to give it to us whether we win by 60, lose by 60, or anything in between.
Mate, everyone gives it to the Dragons - they've been the second best team in the comp (after Melbourne) for a season and a half.
If it seems like it's only Parra and Roosters fans it's probably because both teams have a lot of supporters on this forum.
Now please point out where I've been ungracious (I get that sh*t out of my system yelling at the telly).
Probably not you personally then - I'm talking to the collective St-George-cockbag supporter element here trying to take the Raiders fans' post-win joy off them. Which is f**king not on.
I will point out that you did make one very pertinent point I agree with - we do suffer from a lack of genuine game-breakers. Soward and Hornby had the perfect opportunity to step up and guide the young blokes to victory today, and they couldn't do it. I for one believe Soward is capable of doing so, but it remains to be seen whether that capability can be translated into reality. Hopefully he's pulling a reverse of last year, where he killed it in the early rounds, but went off the boil at the end of the year.
Mate, I think Soward could be one of the best players in the game, but he just seems to go missing when he's
really needed. I think he lacks mental toughness or confidence or something, which might come with maturity but he's about 25 now so I'm not convinced he can get any better.
Hornby, on the other hand, is a very honest player and great clubman, and does the job asked of him, but he doesn't possess the ability to take a game by the scruff of the neck.
Excellent player. Possibly the Dragons' key player.
Priddis has certainly got a second wind, but not even he would pretend he is the same player as when he won the Clive Churchill Medal in 03.
Formerly the best hooker in the world, imo. Never got the wraps he deserved, which is saying something because he still got plenty of recognition.
Anyway, he's still good enough to be playing Origin right now - I think he might be a better player than Ennis, who has been in great form.
Boyd completes the key positions, and I think he is developing into a game-breaking fullback, but is not quite there yet. He has certainly improved on last season, getting much more involved in attack.
Here's another one who might become the player you need him to be. I just had a look and was surprised to see he's not yet 23. Already an excellent player but might just lack that bit of extra size or speed to be a true game-breaker.
