14952[/COLOR]]just hope the players don't have the same attitude as some supporters, who have already accepted a loss.
Funny you should mention players Pat read the following.
Canberra curse strikes fear in Dragons: Simon Woolford
CHRIS WILSON
27 Jun, 2012 12:00 AM
He's played for both clubs and Simon Woolford says it's not a myth - Canberra's curse over the Dragons is very real.
Woolford has given an insight into Canberra's haunting record over the Dragons, claiming St George Illawarra players have traditionally been spooked by the contest and have "talked themselves into being beaten".
The Dragons have named three former Raiders players for Monday night's clash - Daniel Vidot, Josh Miller and Bronx Goodwin - and they will travel by bus on the day of the game as they search for answers to arrest the long losing streak against Canberra
The Raiders have won 12 of their past 13 matches against the Dragons and haven't lost to them at home since 2000.Woolford, finished his career at the Dragons and played in their last win against Canberra, in Wollongong back in 2007.
But he revealed Dragons players were mentally scarred by Canberra's decade of dominance.
"I think they talked themselves into being beaten by the Raiders most of the time," Woolford said.
"They're well aware of the lack of success they've had against Canberra, especially down here [in the ACT]."They used to often joke about having the bye that weekend and not even bothering coming down.
"Every time [the Dragons] would come up against the Raiders it was always that sort of talk, it's certainly something they think about a lot."I often joked about it, but deep down it's not a joke to them. It quite annoys them that they can't win down here.
"It's something they've always wanted to fix but they've never been able to."
The Dragons have the odds stacked in their favour this week.It's understood coach Steve Price has decided to travel to Canberra on the day of the match, replicating what has been successful for him as a Dragons coach in the lower grades.
Although they will be missing Origin stars Ben Creagh, Trent Merrin, Brett Morris and Beau Scott, the Dragons face an injury-depleted Raiders outfit terribly out of form.
Josh Dugan, who is one of the injured, scored the winning try in the dying seconds last year when the Dragons capitulated 24-19, having led 18-6 at half-time.
"Last year they did everything but win, the way they got beaten down here last year was ridiculous," Woolford said. "But they found a way to lose it and the Raiders found a way to win. It's an amazing monkey on the Dragons' back, that's for sure."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/canberra-curse-strikes-fear-in-dragons-simon-woolford/2604268.aspx?storypage=0