Red V have to start winning

Untimely injuries and suspensions have not made things easy, but St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin didn't offer any excuses after their campaign took a hit, with disappointing losses to the Bulldogs, Tigers, Warriors and Sharks now coming to bite them.

They still have a couple of weeks of suspension interruptions as players pay the penalty for a COVID breach and they face a tough run home that features clashes with the Panthers, Roosters and Rabbitohs twice.

Sitting in eighth, they now play the third-placed South Sydney on Saturday, who under former coach Wayne Bennett has his team accumulating victories with some big scores.

The St George Illawarra players have apologised for their role in their biosecurity and public health order breaches, with Jack Bird saying he knows he has lost a lot of respect and trust from peers and fans and will be working extremely hard to earn it back.

"I am deeply disappointed and embarrassed by my actions. I should have respected and honoured the rules that the NRL and state government put in place to keep our game going. For that, I am truly sorry." Bird said

The fans are sorry, too, after a fired-up David Fifita was unstoppable at times, wreaking havoc off the interchange to inspire the 32-10 thumping at Cbus Super Stadium and keep the Titans' finals dream alive.

It was almost men against boys, and It was a body blow for the Dragons, who have lost two straight with Corey Norman's penalty handing 19-year-old Jayden Sullivan his first run of the year.

Matt Dufty, Tyrell Fuimaono and Kaide Ellis returned after serving their bans.

Coach Griffin said there were too many errors and they fed them too much ball.

"We have to be better than that. The younger backs did a good job but turned the ball over too much.

"But it was a good opportunity for the young guys-we will check our injuries and look at Souths this week."

"It's tough, but we have to start winning football games," Griffin said.