NRL 2024: St George Illawarra Dragons’ finals hopes hang on by a thread after defeat against Parramatta Eels
With their destiny in their own hands the Dragons faltered and now their season hangs in the balance. Their fate, along with that of the Broncos, is now in the hands of a surprise finals force. See the finals scenario for every team.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
With their destiny in their own hands the Dragons faltered and now their finals hopes rests in the hands of the Newcastle Knights.
Should the Knights beat the Titans on Sunday then St George Illawarra’s finals drought will extend another season. A Newcastle victory will also dash Brisbane’s slim hopes of playing finals football.
The Dragons only have themselves to blame after an inept and embarrassing showing against the Eels on Saturday afternoon.
The Dolphins all but ended Brisbane’s season which now sets up a blockbuster showdown against Newcastle next Sunday in the final match of the regular season. The Dolphins, Eels and Warriors win was all part of a day of upsets.
Should the Knights beat the Titans on Sunday then the winner of the Newcastle and Dolphins match will book themselves a top eight finish.
The Dragons only hope is that Newcastle lose on Sunday and then they can somehow recover from their deflating efforts against the Eels and beat Canberra.
The Dragons were nothing short of woeful with their season on the line against wooden spoon contenders Parramatta. You couldn’t name a good player for the Dragons but some of their high profile players had absolute shockers.
It will take Shane Flanagan every inch of his coaching nous to get this side back up in time to play Canberra on Saturday. That game should have been a potential celebration in front of a packed home crowd at Kogarah next week for a fan base who have been long suffering. Instead it will be a nervous wait to see if that match even means anything.
For all the good the Dragons have done this year in massively over-achieving by even being in finals contention, that work was largely undone with an inept 80 minute showing against the Eels. They may have crawled their way back to finish the match behind 44-40 but that final scoreline was not a reflection of just how poor the Dragons were.
Their first half started horridly where they conceded two tries in the opening eight minutes. Yet some how their second half was worse when they let in two tries in the first three minutes.
They trailed 36-6 against a side who will try to avoid the wooden spoon against the Tigers next week.
While that race remains red-hot the place for the last spot in the top eight is wide open.
Only one spot remains open. Positions two to four on the ladder remains up for grabs but the Roosters will clinch second spot if they win their final two matches.
The Sharks will finish the round at fourth following bake shock loss to the Warriors.
The Raiders have a hope of sneaking into the top eight but need to beat the Roosters on Sunday and then hope the Dragons can’t lift themselves off the canvas.
For the Dragons though, that long wait may continue as they hope to play finals football for the first time since 2018.
Originally published as NRL 2024: St George Illawarra Dragons’ finals hopes hang on by a thread after defeat against Parramatta Eels
Sport Confidential: Bennett’s Cobbo, RCG signing admission
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett says the club “can’t afford” to make a play at the two hottest free agents in the NRL.
Sport Con: Joey’s shock take on Newcastle great
The Newcastle Knights lost the match but Kalyn Ponga won high praise from NRL Immortal Joey Johns who anointed the star fullback with an incredible honour.