For many years the Dragons found it impossible to win in cold Canberra and they went into the round eight clash having won five of their past seven games against the Raiders but the Green Machine once again caused the Red V some pain holding on for a 22-16 victory in their return to GIO Stadium on Friday night.
St George Illawarra were their own worst enemies with defensive error's letting the Raiders looking to wrap the game up after after compiling a 22-0 lead midway through the second half until three Dragons tries in the final quarter of the game set up a closer finish.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor says his side's inability to defend their errors is among a few issues the team has to deal with following another loss.
"Errors are part of the game but you've got to have each other's back better and defend them. There were a couple of tries that shouldn't have been scored at this level.
"Our young players are still learning the game, I get that, but a lot of our disciplinary (issues) tonight was from our senior players." McGregor said
"We've been really improving the last three weeks so that's disappointing, but our next 40 minutes was what we need to start building on for next week."
McGregor won't rule out making changes to his team for next week's round nine game with a Manly team without a few of their stars although the Dragons season has almost slipped away.
Our of favour Dragons playmaker Ben Hunt provided some spark from the bench and Matt Dufty's recent run of form was also among the many positives for McGregor, along with the form of his centre's Zac Lomax and Euan Aitken, who looked dangerous in the loss.
In a purple patch the Dragons No.1 Dufty has been sensational for the last four weeks, unveiling an awesome passing game that has led to him setting up plenty of tries.
The Dragons have been doing some good work off the field returning to the bush fire ravaged South Coast this week for a special presentation at St Mary's Star of the Sea school at Milton.
Dragons NRL Women's Premiership captain Kezie Apps and St.George Bank Ulladulla branch manager Lloyd Pigram presented the school with a cheque for $2000, courtesy of the club's major partner, St.George Bank after former CEO Brian Johnston pledged to replace their burnt down goal posts from a fire that nearly claimed the entire school.
St.George Bank also presented $2000 to Cobargo Public School for new goal posts during the Dragons' bushfire relief tour.
