St George Illawarra Dragons reveal why they needed to overcome Benji Marshall contract drama

DRAGONS players explain how overcoming off-field “distractions” are behind their outstanding start to 2017 which has lifted them into finals contention.

ST GEORGE Illawarra players say ridding the club of “distractions” — most notably, the Benji Marshall contract saga — has resulted in their outstanding start to season 2017.

Dragons centre Euan Aitken revealed a marked change in attitude was behind the shock rise that has the Red V looking to make Manly their fifth scalp in six weeks at Brookvale on Saturday.

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Aitken admitted the uncertainty last year surrounding Marshall and hooker Mitch Rein, popular players who were eventually axed, spread its way through much of the team.

Benji Marshall and Mitch Rein head down the guard of honour after their final game for the Dragons last year. Picture: Mark Evans

“We had a lot of off-field stuff affecting people,’’ he said. “There were distractions.

“There were a couple of key members of our group having contract problems and when that happens it effects others. Benji and Mitch, a lot of people were close to them.

“So things got hard.

“I’m not sure exactly what happened behind closed doors with those guys, but it definitely played on a few people’s minds.

“We’re professionals, we have to turn up, but I think those dramas hindered some people’s performances which wasn’t ideal.”

And now?

St George Illawarra's Euan Aitken celebrates victory with the crowd after the win over the Cronulla Sharks at Southern Cross Group Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello

“As a team we’re not worrying about the external stuff anymore,’’ Aitken said. “Our only focus now is what we can do as a club.

“It’s like this year we’ve come in fresh. It’s a great culture.

“Even just by walking into our gym, you can tell. There’s so much competition among players, everyone is performing better.

“And that attitude then translates to the field.

St George Illawarra centre Euan Aitken celebrates after scoring a try against Cronulla. Picture: Brett Costello

“If nobody is worried about anything except what they’re doing at training, game day becomes easier. Everyone is happier, less stressed, there is more cohesion.

“It all translates to winning games.”

Dragons forward Joel Thompson agreed, adding the pressure to create points also proved troublesome.

“We weren’t coping well with the pressure last year,’’ he said. “We tried a few things as a side, it didn’t work and everything snowballed from there.

Dragons forward Joel Thompson hits the ball up during the win over the Wests Tigerson the weekend. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“And we’re not going to hide away from the fact we had a tough year last — in every area. We’ve taken responsibility for it and we’re working hard.

“We’ve grabbed the shovel and we’re digging in. That’s working.”

Despite sitting among early betting favourites for the 2017 wooden spoon, the Dragons have instead started the year with wins against Penrith, premiers Cronulla, the Warriors and Wests Tigers.

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Even better, they are averaging 26 points per game, or almost double last season’s tally.

“I did an interview in the pre-season where people were already writing us off,’’ Thompson continued. “They had us as spoon favourites. And that does fire you up.

“You don’t like to look back but we can use it as motivation. Everyone was spraying us, and deservedly in some places.

“But we expect more from one another now.”