BRAVE, gallant and all so close, yet not close enough. That's the best way to describe the Dragons 30-22 loss to Sydney Roosters on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium.
The Dragons wore Iron Man jerseys and the reigning premiers, Captain America outfits.
Unfortunately, the Dragons had a few chinks in their armour.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor was correct in his assessment, outlining the sublte differences between the two teams.
"I thought we didn't win enough field position to win the game. We were coming out of our end a fair bit and their kicking game to ours was the difference between the win and the loss; simple as that," he said.
"Their kicking game was relentless, putting it into one spot that had us starting our sets within 20 metres to our try line where we were erratic with our kicking game."
Halfback Benji Marshall had his good moments, he scored a fine solo try turning the back a few years with that trademark footwork. Some of his passes went astray but he is developing a good combination with centre Josh Dugan.
Mitch Rein was tremendous. His amazing cover tackle to run down Roosters forward Aidan Guerra is one for the highlighs reels. The Dragons tackle Penrith at 3pm this Sunday at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
In the Holden Cup, the Dragons defeated Sydney Roosters, 22-20.
Sydney Roosters 30 d St George Illawarra Dragons 22 (Brett Morris, Joel Thompson, Benji Marshall, Josh Dugan tries; Gareth Widdop three goals); crowd: 13,083.
Dragons needed this win in their march to final eight. will they make it?
JUNIOR RECRUITS
Holden Cup duo Addin Fonua-Blake and Matt Dufty have each signed until the end of 2016. Fonua-Blake is the captain of the Holden Cup U20s team. Penshurst RSL junior fullback Dufty is a graduate of the Dragons high performance unit. He was named in the NSW Blues U18s State of Origin team which defeated Queensland Maroons this season.
FINAL HOME GAME
Dragons final home game at Kogarah Oval will be 3pm, Sunday, August 24, against Gold Coast Titans.
HOLDEN CUP
Dragons play Penrith at 12.45pm, this Sunday, at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
CREAGH MILESTONE
Dragons skipper Ben Creagh played his 243rd game for the club against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday.
WHISPERS
Matt Parish departed Canberra Raiders recently where he was an assistant coach. His name has been mentioned about linking with the Dragons coaching staff.
