Coach cringes at own team’s performance

The lower the opposition, the worse St George Illawarra plays.

The listless Dragons succumbed to a team outside the top eight for the sixth time this year, going down 28-6 to bottom-placed Canterbury at Stadium Australia on Monday.

It’s the Bulldogs’ first win in seven weeks and only their second of the season.

The only negative was allegations of milking aimed at Canterbury forward Jack Hetherington after he stayed down in a tackle to attract a penalty late in the game.

Dragons forward Blake Lawrie told Hetherington: “I had respect for you before that.”

With legendary ex-All Blacks coach Steve Hansen watching on in his role as the club’s high-performance consultant, the Bulldogs were upbeat, physical and near perfect with and without the ball – everything the Red V weren’t.

The Dragons’ performance was punctured by knock-ons, forwards passes, passes over the sideline, conceded six agains, missed tackles and kicks over the dead-ball line.

They managed to concede a try while the Dogs were down to 12 men, skipper Josh Jackson sin-binned for repeated team infringements.

Even mild-mannered Dragons coach Anthony Griffin lost his rag as he witnessed some of the rubbish dished up.

This is genuinely embarrassing from @NRL_Dragons. If Norman & Dufty have been told they're surplus to requirements, give the young fellas time in the jerseys. At least they'll be learning

Truly embarrassing effort from #RedV#NRLBulldogsDragons

Great win by Bulldog. Plenty of spirit. Played physical. Played smart. Great game plan. Stuck to it. Tormented Dragon defence all game. Gained in confidence further the game continued. Dragon? Probably direct opposite of all that. They are much better than what they showed today

That was one AWFUL half from the Dragons.
Well played Bulldogs – far more enthusiastic. pic.twitter.com/2nGDGmvdRH

At one stage, the St George Illawarra ballboys couldn’t find a Steeden to resume the game, but perhaps it was a plot to avoid more misery.

Incredibly, the Dragons boast a much better record against teams inside the eight (3-2) than those on the outside looking in (3-6).

This latest loss could have major ramifications for St George Illawarra’s top eight hopes when it comes down to the business end of the season.

Take nothing away from Canterbury. The Dogs were great for a team supposedly low on confidence and form.

They held a deserved 8-6 halftime lead and went bang, bang after the break, scoring two tries with ridiculous ease to stretch out to a 20-6 advantage after 52 minutes.

Halfback Jake Averillo helped himself to two tries, while hooker Jeremy Mashall-King scored one of the easiest dummy half tries you are ever likely to see.

Adam Elliott’s try 11 minutes from time – in which he pulled away from three defenders – killed the game dead.

“It’s been very lacklustre from the Dragons. There’s been a complete lack of intensity from the get-go,” former international Greg Alexander declared in commentary.

“It’s been a complete mismatch. They’ve been completely outplayed.

“I don’t think too many believed there was an upset on the cards.”

The Bulldogs had the upper hand for the majority of the contest. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source:Getty Images

Good Dogs

The Stadium Australia ground announcer listed Canterbury’s premiership wins as the Bulldogs ran out for the start of the game.

It was a painful reminder of what a great club it has been and how long it’s been between drinks – 17 years and counting.

But while the blue and whites don’t have the talent of other clubs, you can rarely question their heart.

They are determined to steer clear of the wooden spoon and, on this showing, that is still a viable proposition.

Sign of the times

There was a lone ‘Keep Dufty’ sign draped over a railing in one corner of Stadium Australia, but its owners might think twice about bringing it next week.

Matt Dufty’s defensive frailties – one of the big reasons he’s on his way out of the club – were on show early in the second half.

He bought a big goal-line dummy from Marshall-King, exposing teammate Daniel Alvaro in the defensive line and allowing the No. 9 to coast over under the posts.

The softness of the try underlined just how bad the Dragons were – and how they again failed to aim up in a game they were expected to win.

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