Dragons hit bottom; Nightingale despairs

[Father Ted]

Dragons hit bottom; Nightingale despairs

DateSeptember 1, 2013

Poor form: Jason Nightingale tackles Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona in round 24. Photo: Brendan Esposito

Jason Nightingale says St George Illawarra have reached the lowest of the low points in their downward spiral from 2010 premiers to genuine cellar dwellers.

Their 34-18 loss to Wests Tigers in round 24 meant they were leapfrogged by their SCG opponents, putting the Dragons in 15th place, just two wins ahead of the last-placed Eels heading into the final two rounds.
The Dragons will miss finals in consecutive seasons for the first time in the joint-venture club's history while St George hadn't missed the finals in consecutive years since 1990-91.

Nightingale, who was part of the team that beat the Sydney Roosters on grand final night three years ago, said this season had been ''below average''

''We embarrassed ourselves last week,'' Nightingale said.
''There's been a few lows but that has been the lowest because pretty much the effort wasn't there like it has been for the whole of the year. It felt like it was only there for small patches on the weekend.
''In the sheds afterwards, it wasn't a very nice feeling. When you lose your effort, that's when all is lost. It's hard to look each other and the coaching staff in the eyes.''

Coach Steve Price is secure, for now. Price inked a one-year contract extension that was announced midway through the Dragons' heavy 34-10 loss to the Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day.
During his two-year reign, the Dragons have won just 17 matches. They won as many games throughout the respective 2009 and 2010 seasons. Nightingale, who was part of Price's 2005 premiership-winning Jersey Flegg team, said he felt for his long-term mentor after Saturday's capitulation.
''It's the most disappointed he has been because the effort wasn't there,'' Nightingale said.

''To see him that disappointed after the game was pretty shattering for us … he has just emphasised that you can't do that again, otherwise Parramatta will do the same thing as the Tigers did.''
A loss against the Eels on Monday night would sink the Dragons to into further despair. The Eels are smarting from their own shellacking, after a 64-4 loss to Melbourne.

Nightingale will be one of four players, with Brett Morris, Ben Creagh and Trent Merrin, who will remain from the 2010 premiership team next season. Fellow premiership winner Matt Prior is deciding between Parramatta and Melbourne.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...le-despairs-20130831-2sxfv.html#ixzz2ddQ3BEXq

 

[blacksafake]

It is sad to hear that they "gave up" last week when the effort all be it with a lack of skill has been there for the most part of the season.I shudder to think what might be if the same thing happens again tomorrow night.I have been a supporter for nearly 50 yrs & I would rate the current side the worst in memory for skill,aggressiveness & style of play.Interesting to see Prior tossing up between the eels & storm,if he has any sense he'll be on the first plane to Melbourne & watch him go under Bellamy.

 

[RedVDave]

Fellow premiership winner Matt Prior is deciding between Parramatta and Melbourne.

Shame he is leaving but seriously how is this even a choice? If he does go to Parra they must have thrown $350,000 at him surely.

 

[Twenty10]

Shame he is leaving but seriously how is this even a choice? If he does go to Parra they must have thrown $350,000 at him surely.

Are you serious?? 200k absolute Max.

He's not worth any more than that. His time is up at dragons. Loads of chances, never really grabbed them.

 

[SilentAssassin]

Are you serious?? 200k absolute Max.

He's not worth any more than that. His time is up at dragons. Loads of chances, never really grabbed them.

Pretty sure his point was that the Eels must be throwing A LOT more money at him. If the money were similar obviously you'd go to the Storm.

 

[Father Ted]

Shame he is leaving but seriously how is this even a choice? If he does go to Parra they must have thrown $350,000 at him surely.

I believe that we won't recognise Prior once Bellamy has done his makeover on him..

 

[TheRev]

if he has a chance to go to the Storm its a no-brainer... unless he needs to be in Sydney particularly..

 

[Black Forest Dragon]

I believe that we won't recognise Prior once Bellamy has done his makeover on him..

you're right. He will Excel at Storm. i think his career suffered damage at Dragons - i hate to say

 

[Willow]

It is sad to hear that they "gave up" last week when the effort all be it with a lack of skill has been there for the most part of the season.I shudder to think what might be if the same thing happens again tomorrow night.I have been a supporter for nearly 50 yrs & I would rate the current side the worst in memory for skill,aggressiveness & style of play.

I used to think that 2007 was our worst ever season. Ladder-wise, since 1921, we hadn't finished as low as 13th. I didn't think we'd have to visit a season like that again for a long long time.

But 2013 is worse. 15th. It's worst than when Brown was at his lowest, worst than the Farrar years, worst than the 86-91 years. And historically, imo, worse than any season on record.

 

[Mr Red]

"When you lose your effort, that's when all is lost"

FINALLY someone telling it like it is... thankyou Nighty!!!
On a side note it would be interesting to see how Prior develops if he goes to the storm..

 

[_snafu_]

I think it is unacceptable for anyone wearing the red v to not put in an effort every time they play. I am actually disgusted by the fact that they didn't make an effort after shaking hands with the players of the 1963 grand final team. If there was ever a motivation to put in an effort it was that day.

Just goes to show how payers these days don't really give a shit.

 

[Minh]

They gotta get rid of Price now after the last game before the cancer spreads too deep.

 

[hewi]

Personally, I don't think you can blame the players. Jamie Soward had worked out what a dill Price was I'd say. The rest of the team maybe only now has the penny dropped. If Price stays next year will be the same.

 

[Father Ted]

I used to think that 2007 was our worst ever season. Ladder-wise, since 1921, we hadn't finished as low as 13th. I didn't think we'd have to visit a season like that again for a long long time.

But 2013 is worse. 15th. It's worst than when Brown was at his lowest, worst than the Farrar years, worst than the 86-91 years. And historically, imo, worse than any season on record.

It's a strange and unwelcome world we Dragons find ourselves in . This is the worst performance I've ever seen and i can't help but wonder what the board is thinking re the coach.. Is the reluctance to move him on because of the cost of paying him out for a full season? Or perhaps the loss of face and perhaps business sponsors that admitting the mistake might bring .

The as yet untold aspect is if we lost say 30% of our walk in supporters in 2013 I believe we must have lost a significant amount of revenue this year as well.

 

[tumbidragon]

They gotta get rid of Price now after the last game before the cancer spreads too deep.

Mate we are already riddled with the Price cancer, 2 years of toxic Price will do that to ya. So 2 more rounds won't really compound it IMO. The important thing is that Doust makes an early move in the off season, which IMO he is already doing (usually when it's this quiet in regards to a signing, player or coach it's a positive thing under Doust) It will be a tough period of healing the club with strong doses of anti price Chemo (game plan/discipline/drive and self belief again) but we will get back to where we belong. Especially with a strong support group (the Red and White Army) willing the club onto the road to recovery ;-) Up the Dragons!

 

[Minh]

We desperately need a new coach for 2014 Tumbi if not we risk losing another two-three years or more.

 

[tumbidragon]

We desperately need a new coach for 2014 Tumbi if not we risk losing another two-three years or more.

Definitely agree with you Mihn. But as I said, silence is golden when it comes to Doust ;-) So that leads me to believe he is already on it. Hopefully not just desperate blind faith clouding my judgement If he does stick with the chinless one, then THEDuges help us!

 

[God-King Dean]

I used to think that 2007 was our worst ever season. Ladder-wise, since 1921, we hadn't finished as low as 13th. I didn't think we'd have to visit a season like that again for a long long time.

But 2013 is worse. 15th. It's worst than when Brown was at his lowest, worst than the Farrar years, worst than the 86-91 years. And historically, imo, worse than any season on record.

The f**k are you complaining about?

We're only 5 wins outside of the top 8.

Geez, there's no pleasing some people.....

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

You guys are nowhere near hitting bottom.

Ask any Parramatta fan if the Dragons have hit bottom and they will tell you how far you have to go.

Don't stop digging just yet.

 

[jenninga]

"When you lose your effort, that's when all is lost"

FINALLY someone telling it like it is... thankyou Nighty!!!
On a side note it would be interesting to see how Prior develops if he goes to the storm..

Price take note.Prior will take the ball up the middle strongly as usual,BUT will NOT attempt to pass or offload AND will not be chosen anywhere but prop.20,000 members could see this except the individual which counts.