Father Ted
First Grade
- Messages
- 5,531
Here's how Bennett's men can save their season, but change starts now
Phil Gould
August 21, 2011
OK, Dragons fans, let's take stock of the situation.
On Friday night your team travelled to Melbourne to take on the top team in the competition. They were beaten 8-6, with the difference a marginal penalty goal in the 40th minute, which just so happened to be the last scoring play of the game.
That's not too shabby, especially when you consider the Dragons went into this clash without Mark Gasnier and Brett Morris. I guess this should be kept in perspective because the Storm were missing their halfback Cooper Cronk; however, the way the Storm played on Friday night, they would have belted most other teams in the competition.
There was a lot to like about the Dragons' performance. By the same token, some of the weaknesses in their game and attitude will get them beaten in any game - they have some soul-searching to do. But I do think they can still salvage this season.
The defensive effort was, for the most part, outstanding. There were still a couple of those unexplained missed tackles that we haven't seen over the past few years; but overall their level of commitment was tremendous and there was a real show of spirit. Any other team in the NRL probably would have conceded at least four tries given the stiff examination the Storm applied. I thought this effort was praiseworthy.
Look, I know the Dragons are not scoring a lot of points of late, but their attacking game is still dangerous in its own way. There are tries in them, though I must admit it is looking a little stale; especially at the back end of close games when they are desperately looking for the deciding try. It's the same sequence of plays over and over with little or no variation. The well-prepared defensive units seem to be accommodating them pretty comfortably these days. Mind you, I thought the Dragons were extremely unlucky not to score on several occasions against Melbourne and it took some courageous efforts from Storm players to deny them the winning points.
Because most of their big plays are set plays on the long side of the field, the Dragons will struggle to score points against the better defensive teams. They lack penetration in other areas of the field. There is nothing happening out of dummy half. There are very few constructive or dangerous offloads in the forwards. As a result, the support play has become a bit lazy. It's there, but it isn't, if you know what I mean.
Jamie Soward is injured and he is nowhere near as alert as in the past. Improved confidence and status have taken the edge off his discipline and attention to detail. It happens. I'm sure both he and his coach are aware of these things. I expect better in the coming weeks.
I dare say this attitude shift could well be mirrored in some of his teammates. What has been described as a lack of confidence is, in fact, a lack of supreme quality. Something good usually needs to happen to lift confidence. Improving the quality of your work and greater attention to detail will make good things happen.
This is where the Dragons are missing off-season losses Neville Costigan and Jeremy Smith. The no-nonsense men. The men who are prepared to take a risk. The men who never say never. The men who played with their bodies and didn't rely on their carefully analysed mental state. The men who never looked for excuses. It's only attitude; and attitude can change the world.
I could go back over the past 11weeks, during which time the team with the big red V won only two games, and dissect their performances. But we're now facing round 25. There are only two regular-season games left. There is no time to look back. All eyes should be on the prize.
The bottom line is that if the Dragons win their next six matches, they win the premiership. I see a perfect opportunity. They start this run with two home games at Wollongong to finish off the home-and-away part of the season. They play the Warriors and the Panthers. These are two must-win games. They shouldn't be worrying too much about how they do it - they just have to get it done.
The Dragons have performed poorly in Wollongong of late. They owe their fans big time. Two wins over these teams (and it won't be easy, so they will mean something) will give the defending premiers some kind of momentum going into the business end of the season.
I dare say victory in these two games will probably see them secure a top-four finish. Top five at least. You can still win it from there.
I'm not giving up. I still think the Dragons can turn this around.
On Friday night your team travelled to Melbourne to take on the top team in the competition. They were beaten 8-6, with the difference a marginal penalty goal in the 40th minute, which just so happened to be the last scoring play of the game.
That's not too shabby, especially when you consider the Dragons went into this clash without Mark Gasnier and Brett Morris. I guess this should be kept in perspective because the Storm were missing their halfback Cooper Cronk; however, the way the Storm played on Friday night, they would have belted most other teams in the competition.
There was a lot to like about the Dragons' performance. By the same token, some of the weaknesses in their game and attitude will get them beaten in any game - they have some soul-searching to do. But I do think they can still salvage this season.
The defensive effort was, for the most part, outstanding. There were still a couple of those unexplained missed tackles that we haven't seen over the past few years; but overall their level of commitment was tremendous and there was a real show of spirit. Any other team in the NRL probably would have conceded at least four tries given the stiff examination the Storm applied. I thought this effort was praiseworthy.
Look, I know the Dragons are not scoring a lot of points of late, but their attacking game is still dangerous in its own way. There are tries in them, though I must admit it is looking a little stale; especially at the back end of close games when they are desperately looking for the deciding try. It's the same sequence of plays over and over with little or no variation. The well-prepared defensive units seem to be accommodating them pretty comfortably these days. Mind you, I thought the Dragons were extremely unlucky not to score on several occasions against Melbourne and it took some courageous efforts from Storm players to deny them the winning points.
Because most of their big plays are set plays on the long side of the field, the Dragons will struggle to score points against the better defensive teams. They lack penetration in other areas of the field. There is nothing happening out of dummy half. There are very few constructive or dangerous offloads in the forwards. As a result, the support play has become a bit lazy. It's there, but it isn't, if you know what I mean.
Jamie Soward is injured and he is nowhere near as alert as in the past. Improved confidence and status have taken the edge off his discipline and attention to detail. It happens. I'm sure both he and his coach are aware of these things. I expect better in the coming weeks.
I dare say this attitude shift could well be mirrored in some of his teammates. What has been described as a lack of confidence is, in fact, a lack of supreme quality. Something good usually needs to happen to lift confidence. Improving the quality of your work and greater attention to detail will make good things happen.
This is where the Dragons are missing off-season losses Neville Costigan and Jeremy Smith. The no-nonsense men. The men who are prepared to take a risk. The men who never say never. The men who played with their bodies and didn't rely on their carefully analysed mental state. The men who never looked for excuses. It's only attitude; and attitude can change the world.
I could go back over the past 11weeks, during which time the team with the big red V won only two games, and dissect their performances. But we're now facing round 25. There are only two regular-season games left. There is no time to look back. All eyes should be on the prize.
The bottom line is that if the Dragons win their next six matches, they win the premiership. I see a perfect opportunity. They start this run with two home games at Wollongong to finish off the home-and-away part of the season. They play the Warriors and the Panthers. These are two must-win games. They shouldn't be worrying too much about how they do it - they just have to get it done.
The Dragons have performed poorly in Wollongong of late. They owe their fans big time. Two wins over these teams (and it won't be easy, so they will mean something) will give the defending premiers some kind of momentum going into the business end of the season.
I dare say victory in these two games will probably see them secure a top-four finish. Top five at least. You can still win it from there.
I'm not giving up. I still think the Dragons can turn this around.
Last edited:
