CLASHES against the Newcastle Knights and the New Zealand Warriors will determine the St George Illawarra Dragons finals fate in the next two weeks.
A record seven straight losses, the latest 22-4 against Mebourne Storm at McLean Park in New Zealand on Saturday night, has seen the Dragons' fire almost extinguished, slipping from fourth to 10th and anchored on 20 points.
The Dragons' previous biggest losing streak was between rounds 20 and 25, in 2013 — six.
The last team the Dragons defeated was Cronulla, 42-6 at Jubilee Oval on Sunday, May 31.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor has given the team a few days away from training. They return on Wednesday to prepare for this Sunday's round 21 game against Newcastle Knights at Jubilee Oval at 2pm.
The following Saturday, August 8, the Dragons play the New Zealand Warriors at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, at 3pm.
Dragons fullback Josh Dugan complained to referee Matt Cecchin that he was he was bitten during the game.
Melbourne's Jesse Bromwich has been hit with a dangerous contact charge but has not been given a grading; the allegation will be heard by the judiciary panel on Wednesday night.
McGregor said the team has to keep working hard to turn their form slump around.
The team's stuttering attack in recent weeks had been a concern.
Dugan, prop Leeson Ah Mau and second rower Tyson Frizell never stopped trying against the Storm.
A disallowed try to winger Jason Nightingale with the cut-out pass ruled forward by halfback Benji Marshall when the the scores were 0-0 midway through the first half was critical.
"The pass looked all right to me," McGregor said.
Soon after the Storm scored the opening try of the match to take the lead and they were never headed.
"We need to improve our attack on every play," McGregor said.
Melbourne Storm 22 (Mahe Fonua, Marika Koroibete, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Kevin Proctor tries; Cameron Smith 3 goals) d Dragons (Peter Mata’utia try).
Crowd: 14,532; Leader man of the match: Melbourne Storm captain and hooker Cameron Smith.
