Round 16 vs Eels

[West coast dragon]

We’ve also put 30+ on Manly, storm, broncos, sharks, knights. Beat roosters 4 tries to 1. 1 and 1 with Souths. There a point there too.

And 50 on the titans jeez we’re terrible lol

 

[Gareth67]

Yep - that looks like the winners dressing room !

 

[Belta]

I actually don't agree with many on this game. I don't reckon they were outplayed.

I think Parra halves definitely outplayed our two for most of the game but when it counted ours came through.

For a big chunk of the first half we were the better team. That Mannah try was not from their dominance, it was when De Belin who looked busted and fatigued and Graham who looked exhausted missed the tackle that they wouldn't normally not miss.

They scored another from a simple missed read by Hunt, who in the early stages was definitely not in the right head space for most of the game. Particularly poor kicks. Widdop was just as bad if not worse.

The Hayne try should of been stopped, really really really hard to put any ctiticism on the Duff man but it's not the first time he's watched a player struggling to put the ball down whilst he stood nearby and watched, this is something this outstanding footballer will work on I'm sure.

As player when the Luc try was disallowed, not long to go, boys we tried our best, it's just not our day.

Wait a minute, not again Hunts put an early kick in FMD, take him off, hang on the the lad backed himself, despite having mongrel of a week, up till now a absolute shocker, and he has nailed it try to Aitken.

Not long to go and another piece of magic from Widdop the games ours.

If that's not an inspirational performance on a fatigued side staring at an almost certain embarrassing loss than I give up

 

[Dragonslayer]

Define irony:

Us scoring 3 tries from kicks last night to win the game.

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

The day you say I think dragons will win is the day I get very very worried.

As you should.

 

[Life's Good]

Just watched a replay of our first try. Lafai stepped twice in the movement, first off the initial shift & the second after the classy tip back from Widdop. Lafai is definitely dangerous with early ball & proved it again. Coupled with better passing selection & he is getting back to his best form.

 

[ALSGI]

We play Parra again in 6 weeks at ANZ.
We won ugly against the Shonks in the first one then put 40 on them in the second.
I don’t think it’ll be 1 v 16 but I do think we’ll smash em next time.

 

[Drag Queen]

I actually don't agree with many on this game. I don't reckon they were outplayed.

I think Parra halves definitely outplayed our two for most of the game but when it counted ours came through.

For a big chunk of the first half we were the better team. That Mannah try was not from their dominance, it was when De Belin who looked busted and fatigued and Graham who looked exhausted missed the tackle that they wouldn't normally not miss.

They scored another from a simple missed read by Hunt, who in the early stages was definitely not in the right head space for most of the game. Particularly poor kicks. Widdop was just as bad if not worse.

The Hayne try should of been stopped, really really really hard to put any ctiticism on the Duff man but it's not the first time he's watched a player struggling to put the ball down whilst he stood nearby and watched, this is something this outstanding footballer will work on I'm sure.

As player when the Luc try was disallowed, not long to go, boys we tried our best, it's just not our day.

Wait a minute, not again Hunts put an early kick in FMD, take him off, hang on the the lad backed himself, despite having mongrel of a week, up till now a absolute shocker, and he has nailed it try to Aitken.

Not long to go and another piece of magic from Widdop the games ours.

If that's not an inspirational performance on a fatigued side staring at an almost certain embarrassing loss than I give up

A try saved is just as important as a try scored. We got bloody lucky with that win last night Belta. Good analysis from a lover of the game, but no expert. Xx

 

[Old Timer]

If that had of been the GF everyone would be rejoicing on how we never gave in and even those playing poorly contributed when it counted
All a matter of perspective really
I know we need to do a lot better in critical areas to ensure the really good sides don’t blow us away and I actually still believe we will struggle to win a comp with the current coaching staff as In all honesty our attack at critical times looks benign and only individual brilliance gets the job done and our defence keeps on making the same mistakes on the right edge regardless of who is on the wing or is the edge back rower.
So just maybe Mc Gregor is doing his job in getting the belief correct and in fact Hornby & Young are by far and away the bigger problem
Maybe Samy has some clues on that theory?

 

[dragonssamy61]

We showed a will and skill to win tonight, I for one was surprised.
Graham really fires up the whole team, his passion for a club he’s only played for for half a year is amazing.

Last year we would have dropped our bundle and lost that game, this year they had the belief to be able to pull it out of the fire.
Amazing.

100%.
Great summary

 

[getsmarty]

DRAGONS


McGregor praises Dragons' character after late win
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Thu 28 Jun 2018, 11:36 PM

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor praised the character of his players after they snatched a late 20-18 win over Parramatta at WIN Stadium on Thursday night.

With seven players backing up from the representative round and Tyson Frizell and Leeson Ah Mau rested, the Dragons looked flat and trailed 18-8 with just six minutes to go, but stole the win through late tries to Eaun Aitken and Matt Dufty.

McGregor admitted that his players had been out-enthused by the last placed Eels but halves Gareth Widdop and Ben Hunt had managed to steer them to victory in the dying minutes.

“Big moments; big players. They got the job done when it was needed so that was great,” McGregor said. “There are a lot of blokes who have played some high level footy in the last few days.

“Gareth and the boys have been travelling from a different country, with different time lines and dates, and Leeson didn’t play because of that. The Origin guys played four days ago in the toughest environment and had to back up on a Thursday.

Match Highlights: Dragons v Eels - Round 16, 2018

“We spoke about it during the week and we spoke about it just then in the sheds. They are very committed to one another, which is the most important thing and they always put the team first.”

The match against Parramatta was the first time this season the Dragons haven’t had the same starting forward pack, with Jacob Host replacing Frizell in the second row.

Luciano Leilua and Blake Lawrie also got their chance off the interchange bench.

“The young players who came in were outstanding,” McGregor said. “Jacob Host played some really good footy and I thought Luciano when he came on was great and Blake Lawrie off the bench.

“They have been getting ready for that opportunity for a while now and they went really well.”

Ben Hunt's kick evades Corey Norman. Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
The win maintains St George Illawarra's position as outright competition leaders and all but seals their place in the finals, with 26 points after 15 matches and a bye.

"Everyone called us May premiers. Now we're June premiers," McGregor said. "For me, it's just important to get through such an important period of the year winning games and with people healthy. We got one that in the past we wouldn't have."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/06/29/mcgregor-praises-dragons-character-after-late-win/

 

[dragonssamy61]

If that had of been the GF everyone would be rejoicing on how we never gave in and even those playing poorly contributed when it counted
All a matter of perspective really
I know we need to do a lot better in critical areas to ensure the really good sides don’t blow us away and I actually still believe we will struggle to win a comp with the current coaching staff as In all honesty our attack at critical times looks benign and only individual brilliance gets the job done and our defence keeps on making the same mistakes on the right edge regardless of who is on the wing or is the edge back rower.
So just maybe Mc Gregor is doing his job in getting the belief correct and in fact Hornby & Young are by far and away the bigger problem
Maybe Samy has some clues on that theory?

You have nail it.
But defence is youngs gig.
So I would say he needs to get them going.
Poor right hand d starts with hunt and works it way out imo

 

[BalmainBoy_1969]

Sitting pretty on 26 points after 16. Glad to see you lads are starting to enjoy the moment. Been a good year so far and I can't see much changing no matter how much hate there is for Mary

 

[blacksafake]

Absolutely correct, that pass from Mannah to French for the try was forward. I can't believe the commentators didn't pick it up.

I'm pretty sure Vossy picked it up & said it was forward.

 

[dragonssamy61]

My take always

• The coach should now be more comfortable playing the younger guys in more games and for longer minutes
• We should now include the young blokes in the attacking structures to ensure they are indeed “part of the team” and not just reserves
• The blokes that backed up need to be congratulated on their resilience
• Congrats to the coaching staff and roster as they have learnt how to win ugly
• We do need to improve in a lot of areas to be real contenders but it has to be acknowledged not losing is a very good platform to build on
• Our medical / HPU staff are doing a fantastic job
• Give James Graham life membership and a guaranteed role at the club when he hangs up his boots

Well said ot well said.

 

[SBD82]

My manager at work (Parra fan) had the day off today.

Seeing him was the only reason I showed up today, otherwise I would have stayed in bed to nurse my head after celebrating.

Can't wait for Monday.

 

[Dragsters]

Get real.
Knights, rabbits, raiders smashed the eels.....and even damn Manly put 50 on them.

Fine to win ugly vs top 6 teams, but vs the last team.....total BS excuses.

If you can't see what's coming, I guess you soon will.

#rosecolouredglasses

If you believe that the parra team that got flogged played as well as they did tonight then you should go back and re-watch their diabolical performances and compare that with how they played tonight.

Tonight they gave a shit, for most of the season they haven't...

 

[JDHD]

Upon reflection the most positive thing out of that game (besides the win) was Hunt’s guts. That little nugget has had a week from hell, and then had a poor game at best. However, where a lot of halves would retreat into their shell and either stop trying or just cat it on the wing (cough Ash Taylor cough), he kept putting his body on the line in defence, engaging the line in attack and hammering the Eels’ defensive line and he f**king pulled it out of his arse. I couldn’t do that at all, let alone after being publicly hammered in the media all week and having former Maroon players calling for you to be axed. He must have balls that would make George Burgess turn away in shame.

 

[2010]

There was a post on one of the Facebook dragons page where someone posted that we have choked once more.
Must have posted it at the 70 minute mark.
There was hundreds of posts calling for his head and be banned from the site.

 

[ST Tangles 01]

I had a bit of a peek at the Parra forum and apparently the refs cost them the match.
I think there was a couple of dud calls both ways but I thought a couple of big calls went their way.