Dragons’ worst NRL start: What needs to change

The St George Illawarra Dragons are experiencing their worst start in the history of the National Rugby League (NRL) era. This record dates back to 1998, and only two other teams have ever gone winless through nine games: the Newcastle Knights in 2005 and the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2006. The ’05 Knights conceded 308 points in nine games, with a for and against of minus 180. The Rabbitohs in ’06 managed to concede 304 points across nine games, but still had a for and against of minus 150.

This year, the Dragons have conceded 309 points in their first nine games, including 106 points in their last two matches. Their for and against is currently at minus 185. Under the interim coaching of Dean Young, the team is conceding an average of 34.3 points per game and losing by an average margin of 20.6 points per game. If this trend continues, they may challenge the end-of-season records of the 2016 Newcastle Knights, 2001 Penrith Panthers, and 1999 Western Suburbs Magpies, who are often regarded as the worst teams in the NRL era.

The 1999 Magpies conceded a staggering 944 points over the season, averaging 39.3 points per game, and lost by an average margin of 27.5 points per game. The ’01 Panthers and ’16 Knights were slightly better in those categories, while the ’16 Knights had the fewest wins of any team since 1998, with just one victory.

Despite interim coach Dean Young’s assertion that the team is “improving,” it is unclear in what way. The Dragons entered the halftime break on Saturday, playing at home after a bye, having conceded 32 first-half points to a Knights team that, while not consistently brilliant, was still able to capitalize on defensive lapses.

The Knights returned to full strength, while the Dragons were missing two key players, Daniel Atkinson and Jacob Liddle. However, this is not an excuse for a team that has struggled to produce results for a fan base that is growing increasingly frustrated.

The attendance on Saturday was just over 11,000, with half of them being Newcastle fans. This is a poor turnout for a beautiful Autumn afternoon in Wollongong and reflects the growing discontent among supporters.

The match started poorly for the Dragons, and their defensive weaknesses were exposed early on. Greg Marzhew scored five tries, while Bradman Best added another, and Dominic Young crossed for a double. Many of these efforts came from long range, as the Dragons left gaps in their defense and missed tackles at an alarming rate.

In total, the Dragons made 13 errors and missed 35 tackles, which, while high, were not the worst of the season. Dean Young does not have many options at his disposal when it comes to changes, but the squad needs a significant boost, and the only way to achieve this is by sending a clear message through selection decisions.

Mediocrity will not be tolerated moving forward. Valentine Holmes and Clint Gutherson, who was returning from injury, were particularly poor on Saturday. Tyrell Sloan struggled greatly, and Setu Tu looked out of place against Greg Marzhew.

Gutherson may get another week due to more pressing issues, but it is time for Valentine Holmes to be replaced if the team is to turn things around. Hayden Buchanan has impressed in limited first-grade opportunities and should take his spot next week.

Intriguingly, the Dragons’ decline began when Gutherson appeared to be playing injured in the final 20 minutes of the Round 2 game against the Melbourne Storm. He will move back to fullback, while Sloan may survive on the wing alongside Christian Tuipulotu given Mathew Feagai’s injury.

The Dragons need Phillip Sami and Scott Drinkwater to join the club as soon as possible. Daniel Atkinson, if fit, must return to the number six jersey, and there is no point dropping Kade Reed now that the season is underway.

This sentiment applies to the forwards, who were not the main issue on Saturday. Toby Couchman, Ryan Couchman, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, and Loko Pasifiki Tonga all performed well. Pasifiki Tonga, in particular, should be starting ahead of Emre Guler, who is struggling to hold his spot.

Guler has averaged just 60 metres per game in his last six matches, with 25.5 of those post-contact, while Pasifiki Tonga averages 88.3 metres per game with 38 post-contact yards in just 29.6 minutes per game. He also tackles more efficiently per minute.

Luciano Leilua will return from suspension and could slot into Josh Kerr’s second-row role. Kerr has struggled at the Red V, and it is time for him to be replaced. Hamish Stewart, rated as a future club captain, has been the Dragons’ best player this year, and any ideas that he shouldn’t be starting should be discarded.

Jacob Liddle could return and sit on the bench, while Ryan Couchman’s position is secure due to his strong performance so far this season. Jacob Halangahu will remain on the bench, and Blake Lawrie may get the other spot, although Hame Sele, who was exceptional in the NSW Cup win on Saturday, is a strong contender.

Josh Kerr, who hasn’t been up to scratch since returning from the Dolphins, is also in danger of losing his spot. The Dragons could easily make the case for Cyrus Stanley-Traill or Ryan Hutchinson to debut from the bench, both of whom have been in strong form at reserve grade level.

Both players would look at home if Young decides it’s time to send a statement. As always, the issues for the Dragons are capitalizing on their scoring chances and getting into position, so minor tweaks to the forward pack are sufficient.

What concerns the Red V is their upcoming match against the Penrith Panthers. For a team that is now the worst in NRL history across nine games, facing a juggernaut in incredible form at Magic Round may not be pretty.

It is a chance for the Dragons to say enough is enough and prove that the playing group is not the problem. Right now, that is the only answer you can come up with. The head coach, assistant coach, and general manager of football were all axed, yet things have gotten worse for a team that has been booed off the ground more than applauded this season.