Well, they've done it again. Our once-mighty Dragons have fumbled their inept way to another inglorious defeat, this time at the hands of fellow under-performers the Cowboys.
In doing so, they have shown us once again this season that a majority share of possession doesn't necessarily guarantee victory.
I'm sure I speak for all supporters when I say that I'm embarrassed to declare my allegiance among friends or colleagues for fear of being the subject of scorn or sympathy. I can only hope the players and management share my embarrassment in greater measure.
I've seen more dropped balls, forward passes, foolishly conceded penalties, missed tackles and lacklustre tactics than I have ever wanted to. By the way, which genius coach devised the strategies of the "no-look pass" and "random scrum packing" where we see fullbacks or hookers packing in at lock and hookers feeding the ball?
If you look at footage of the great Dragons teams of the '50s and '60s, you will never see the greatest centre of all, Reg Gasnier, blindly throwing the ball to a possible teammate or Graeme Langlands sticking his head into the back of a scrum.
Today's players could learn a lot by studying these immortals and their fellow high achievers.
At the moment, we have a backrower and a NSW Cup player in the centres, our only fit centre playing five-eighth and our only five-eighth playing NSW Cup. Something just doesn't add up!
I feel sorry for Jaimie Soward, who is seemingly being punished more for jumping ship than for poor form.
Peter Lamond, Menai
