‘Reality check’: Dragons must address shocking stat ahead of blockbuster clash
They’ve lost just one game this season, but Dragons coach Jamie Soward can see some worrying signs starting to creep in as the finals draw near.
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Dragons coach Jamie Soward says his team was handed a “reality check” by the ladder-leading Roosters last week and they need an attitude adjustment heading into the finals.
The Red V won their opening two games of the NRLW season, but last season’s beaten grand finalists were comprehensively beaten by the Roosters who ran in six unanswered tries to win 34-6.
A spot in the finals will be guaranteed if they beat the Broncos this weekend, but Soward wants to see an improvement in attack given their points have steadily dried up from 26 in the opening round, down to 16 and then six last week.
“It was a reality check,” he said of the loss.
“What we dished up in that last 20 minutes is not what we’re about here. I’m a big part of that, so we’re all in it together.
“We need to fix our attack. It’s not dire straits, but I’ll be making some changes this week.”
The coach hinted at some possible late changes on top of the several he made on Tuesday, with winger Andie Robinson back in the side while Talei Holmes also returns on the bench.
Saturday’s clash at AAMI Park is crucial for both teams, with the Broncos picking up their first win of the season last week in the Queensland derby to get their finals chances back on track.
Brisbane has won all five of its previous meetings against St George Illawarra, keeping them to single digits in four of those matches.
It’s why Soward wants to see a drastic improvement from what his team delivered last week.
“When you lose like that, it can go one of two ways,” he said.
“You can think everything is going to be OK and you get out there the next week, or you can work really hard and prepare for the Broncos like it’s a big game, and it is a big game for us.
“We want to cement our spot so we can build into this finals series. It’s like a four-game finals series for us.
“The girls are aware of that, but we just need to get our attitude right and get back to our core values which we compromised on the weekend.”
In Saturday’s first game of the double-header down in Melbourne, the league’s two winless teams will clash with the loser no chance of playing finals footy.
The Eels have been more than competitive in their past two games and were unlucky to lose to the Knights last week, while the Titans have gone backwards in attack with their new-look spine.
Originally published as ‘Reality check’: Dragons must address shocking stat ahead of blockbuster clash
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