ST GEORGE Illawarra's premiership hopes are all but over with a 22-12 loss against Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium.
The Dragons surged to an 8-0 lead with the assistance of a strong wind through tries to Brett Morris and Mitch Rein.
But a Tigers try on half-time to Tim Moltzen saw them trail by just four at the break.
In the second half it was all the Tigers who laid on 16 points in front of 10,000 fans to see them jump four points clear of the Dragons on the premiership ladder.
If St George Illawarra are to make the eight they must win their next three games and hope the Tigers lose their remaining matches.
Skipper Ben Horny said the Dragons remained a hope.
"We can but it's out of our hands," Hornby said.
"We are in the position now where it's not in our hands.
Is that the end of the Dragons premiership hopes?