THE curse has finally been lifted against Canberra Raiders in Canberra.
The Dragons 34-16 win at GIO Stadium on Saturday meant they broke a 14-year drought at Canberra's home ground, not having won there since 2000.
(The Leader on Thursday reported the Dragons had last won against Canberra, in Canberra, in 1999; it was 2000).
The win puts the team 11th on 24 points, two points adrift from eighth-placed New Zealand Warriors (26 points) with three rounds to play.
The Dragons run home is against Gold Coast Titans this Sunday at Kogarah, then Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium and Newcastle at Hunter Sports Stadium.
And the coaching appointment for next year is still yet to be resolved.
Paul McGregor has been in charge since Steve Price was sacked in late May and has made it clear he wants the job.
In recent days Australian coach Tim Sheens has had his name mentioned again as a possible candidate.
One option mooted is for Sheens to be made head coach with the former St George Illawarra and Illawarra five-eighth, Trent Barrett, as his assistant.
Barrett is now a member of the Panthers coaching staff.
The other option being talked about is Sheens as head coach and McGregor to work alongside him as assistant.
McGregor has told the players not to worry about the off-field coaching saga and has urged them to concentrate on playing footy and completing the next three games.
Match kick-off against the Titans is 3pm this Sunday at Kogarah Oval.
St George Illawarra 34 (Brett Morris 3, Jason Nightingale 2, Josh Dugan, Peter Mata'utia tries; Gareth Widdop 3 goals) d Canberra 16; crowd: 10,318.
Can the Dragons win their last three games and make the finals?
COOPER’S ENGLISH BID
English prop Mike Cooper is in line for selection for England at the Four Nations tournament starting in November. The 25-year-old prop came to the club from British Super League Club, Warrington, and has improved with each game in the NRL.
‘‘I haven’t thought about it too much. People keep telling me that I must be in with a chance but it wasn’t on my mind when I first came out here to try and get picked for that,’’ Cooper said.
LAST HOME GAME
Dragons play the final home game of the season against Gold Coast Titans at 3pm this Sunday at Kogarah Oval.
HOLDEN CUP
Dragons tackle Gold Coast Titans at 12.45pm this Sunday at Kogarah Oval.
CASUALTY WARD
Dylan Farrell (pectoral muscle, out for season), Dan Hunt (back, observation), Charly Runciman (thumb, round 25), Michael Witt (knee, out for season).
AWAY GAMES
Brisbane Broncos on August 29 and Newcastle Knights on September 7.
