UPDATE: The St. George Illawarra Dragons are set to battle for pride and momentum in their final two home games of the season, following a devastating 40-0 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs last Thursday. With the finals out of reach, the Dragons are determined to finish strong.
The Red V will face the high-flying Manly Sea Eagles at Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah, at 5:30 PM on Saturday, and then take on the Penrith Panthers in Wollongong at 3:00 PM on Saturday, September 6. Co-captain Damien Cook emphasized the importance of these matches, stating, “We want to finish off the season well with a couple of wins.”
Cook expressed disappointment over the recent performance against the Rabbitohs, acknowledging that the team had shown potential earlier in the season. “The first 20 [minutes] we went toe to toe,” he said. “After that, we made errors and reverted to old habits.” The players are motivated to showcase their skills, especially with younger teammates gaining experience.
Coach Shane Flanagan rejected the notion of using injuries as an excuse for the loss. “If I start tossing up excuses, then I become one of the weak ones,” he remarked. Flanagan noted that the Rabbitohs capitalized on their opportunities, while the Dragons struggled with ball control and missed tackles, leading to fatigue.
Currently sitting thirteenth on the ladder, the Dragons share points with the Eels and Rabbitohs but hold a better differential. With pride on the line, the team is gearing up to reclaim their standing and finish the season with a positive outlook.
Fans are urged to rally behind the team as they enter this critical stretch, with the hope that the Dragons can secure victories and build momentum heading into the next season. The atmosphere at Jubilee Stadium is expected to be electric as supporters look for a strong performance in this pivotal matchup against Manly.
Stay tuned for live updates as the Dragons aim for redemption!
