‘Bloody horrible’: Dragons ‘choke’ leaves Zac Lomax in tears

The Dragons were in the box seat for finals two weeks ago but have crashed out of contention in the most brutal of ways.

The Canberra Raiders are in the top eight — for now — after claiming a stunning 26-24 come-from-behind win to defeat the St George Illawarra Dragons.

But the Dragons’ defeat has capped the greatest what-could-have-been season after finishing the year with two straight losses in very winnable games.

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With two rounds left, the Dragons just needed to beat the team that was in last place on the ladder in the Parramatta Eels and the Raiders, who had been barely hanging onto the teams chasing the last spot in the eight.

But while the Raiders claimed an unlikely win over the Roosters before coming back from 24-10 at halftime to overwhelm the Dragons, St George Illawarra have blown a golden opportunity.

It’s now the Raiders who will be sweating on an unlikely draw in the final match of the regular season between the Dolphins and Knights — otherwise the winner of that match will snatch the final spot in the 2024 finals series.

A 44-40 loss to the Eels in round 26 would have been a trouncing if not for a five-try final 10 minutes to make it a real game, before blowing a commanding halftime lead against the Raiders.

There were emotional scenes after full-time as Zac Lomax, who has become one of the game’s best wingers in 2024 but has already signed with a Parramatta for 2025, was consoled by his family after playing his final match for the Dragons.

Lomax was heartbroken. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Lomax was embraced by his family. Photo: Fox Sports

But the fans were fuming after the Dragons went from the box seat to play finals footy, to the outhouse in the final two weeks of the season.

One fan wrote: “The Dragons ending the season in the most Dragons way possible.”

Another tweeted: “Dragons.. That was bloody horrible.”

A Dragons fan commented: “What a miserable way to end the season .. Red V flopped when it mattered.”

A fourth, most likely not a Dragons fan, said: “Dragons honouring their fans with one last choke. Delicious areas.”

Another fan posted: “What a choke from the Dragons.”

But there is also a sense of perspective on the Dragons season after missing the finals in the past five seasons, including finishing 16th in 2023, with a steady decline over that time.

Before the year began, Flanagan suggested the Dragons would be fighting for the finals but had urged fans to be patient, expecting 2025 to be the year the club bounces back.

And even the most cynical fan would have to believe they’re in a lot better place than they were 12 months ago.

“I can’t blame them for being impatient. They want their team to win and I love that passion,” Flanagan said in February.

“But there aren’t too many players out in the market that can slot in there. If they can find some for me, then I’ll ring the leagues club and I’ll get onto it straightaway, but it’s a tough market.

“Our focus is ’25. We’ve made some changes in ’24 and we’re still looking for some players maybe in ’24, but our real focus will be for 25-26.

“Dragons fans will have to be a little bit patient.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Corey Horsburgh was the match winner for the Raiders. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

While Canberra are currently sitting in eighth, their only hope to play finals football is for a draw in the final regular season match between the Knights and Dolphins. If there’s a winner in that match, that team will take the final spot in the finals.

Asked after the game if the Raiders would be deathriding both teams in a miracle finals bid, halfback Jamal Fogarty was being realistic.

“To be fair, if it’s a draw, I’m going to go buy a lotto ticket and I might not have to play footy anymore,” Fogarty said.