Dragons’ attack remains a concern after Charity Shield defeat to Rabbitohs

CONCEDING 32 points wasn’t the most concerning stat for St George Illawarra, who must answer one pressing question before the NRL season kicks off.

St George's Nene Macdonald during the South Sydney Rabbitohs v St. George-Illawarra Dragons Charity Shield rugby league game at ANZ Stadium, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

ST GEORGE Illawarra averaged fewer points than all but wooden spooners Newcastle last year.

The number: 14.

And on Sunday — well, they struggled to even get that against South Sydney.

Which ensures the big Red V must answer one pressing question this next fortnight: where the bloody hell are your points coming from?

For with only 12 days until their season-opener against Penrith — who join Melbourne Storm as the bookmakers’ premiership favourites — the Dragons’ passionate supporter base is already in meltdown after a Charity Shield thumping where 32 points conceded wasn’t their most concerning stat.

No, despite coach Paul McGregor promising a revamped attack this year, his backline battled for breaks all afternoon at ANZ Stadium — with only a late try to winger Jason Nightingale, with two minutes to play and the game done, even getting the Red V to its 2016 average.

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Dragons winger Nene Macdonald tries to break through the Rabbitohs defence. Picture: Brett Costello

Worse, the fight for the Dragons’ No. 7 jersey also remains unresolved, with neither veteran Josh McCrone nor teenage rookie Jai Field guaranteeing themselves a start.

Skipper Gareth Widdop also struggled in an attacking effort so worrying, former Red V winger/spruiker Wendell Sailor asked aloud on Triple M: “What have the Dragons been doing all pre-season?”

Yet asked afterwards what he thought of the game, coach McGregor insisted: “It was good. A good hit-out where we learned a lot.

“Towards the end of the game we just let in some tries. There was some good and bad in it.”

But as for exactly how that good/bad ratio broke down?

“Look, certainly you don’t like any performance when you’re beaten by that scoreline,’’ McGregor continued when pushed.

Dragons forward Tyson Frizell on the charge. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“But it was about giving people opportunity and leaving players out there for longer minutes. Which we did.

“We didn’t rotate our middle every 10 or 15 minutes. We held them out there for long periods to give them some good footy.

“So certainly our cohesion will pick up because that’s the first time that group has played together. But we created a lot of opportunities, we just didn’t finish off at times.

“That will pick up in the next couple of weeks.”

McGregor also suggested he may start the season playing both McCrone and Field, the 83kg rookie whose 40m time of 4.6 seconds would have him pushing for the NRL double of lightest/fastest man.

“I’ve still got two weeks to determine that,’’ he said of the halfback question.

Jai Field is in the running for the Dragons halfback spot. File photo

“I’ll have a good look at the video and talk to some of our leaders.

“Look at what different players bring to the team and what we need for round one.”

But as for hoping either man would have stood out and made the decision easier for you?

“They’re two totally different players aren’t they?” McGregor replied.

“Josh is a real tradesman; seasoned player with good experience.

“Then you’ve got Jai who’s an exciting young talent when he gets the ball in his hands. We’ve got 10 days to find out which one or both. They could both be in the 17.”