The St George Illawarra Dragons have let down faithful supporters with two close losses within the final NRL competition rounds, taking them from a comfortable eighth position to a deflating eleventh.
With everything to play for and finals footy in their hands, the Dragons failed to defeat the Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium last weekend and the Canberra Raiders at Kogarah on Saturday.
Following an upset 44-40 loss to Parramatta which broke an NRL record for most points scored by a losing team, Red V supporters were left hoping for a win against Canberra and an unlikely draw in the final 2024 season match between the Newcastle Knights and the Dolphins.
Long-serving Red V member, Michael Bayes expressed his belief in his team and his finals prediction before the game.
“The boys just need to show up today, show some ‘tikka’ and we can get over Canberra,” Mr Bayes said.
“We need to play the full 80 minutes, which we haven’t been doing lately, but if we do that, we win and there is a chance we can slip into that top eight spot.”
St. George Illawarra got off to a flying start with tries to Tom Eisenhuth, Jacob Liddle and Jaydn Su’A all within the first 11 minutes.
Dragons fans went cheering into half-time with their team up 24-10 despite conceding two tries to Raiders hooker Danny Levi and winger Xavier Savage.
Young Dragons supporters Lehi, and Clay said the Dragons attacking performance was satisfactory, yet the defence needs work.
“The attack needs to be a little bit more explosive and we can’t let the Raiders back in the game,” Clay said.
“Our wingers can’t defend honestly, its not hard to stay outside your man,” Lehi said.
“We win today and then Knights and Dolphins draw, we can play finals footy.
“We can still do it easy.”
The second half saw St George Illawarra unable to score a single point despite holding the advantage in possession rate.
Tries to Albert Hopoate and Hudson Young for the Raiders left the Dragons desperately holding on to a four point lead with twenty minutes remaining.
With time winding down, a Canberra fifth tackle ‘hail mary’ play saw the ball end up in forward Corey Horsburgh’s hands. Horsburgh dropped the ball onto his foot and was able to regather and crash over the line, igniting the Raiders supporters around the ground.
A conversion from Kaeo Weekes placed Canberra in front by two points at 26-24 with two minutes to go until full time.
Dragons supporters hopes of seeing their team playing finals footy for the first time since 2018 were tarnished as the full time bell rang. Leaving them sending a heartbroken goodbye to Zac Lomax, one of the Dragon’s shining lights of the season, but bound for Parramatta in 2025.
Multiple Dragons fans shared their opinions on the disappointing end to season 2024, and the upcoming departure of Lomax.
“We are a twenty minute team.”
“Always thought Lomax was one of out most loyal players so good luck to him, it’ll be hard seeing him in blue and gold and not a Red V.”
“How can we expect to play finals when we produce that type of performance, pathetic honestly.”
“I believe we exceeded expectations this season, most had us coming last.”