In a challenging night for Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, his team succumbed to a disappointing 30-12 defeat against the Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium, marking their seventh consecutive loss. The game began with a setback as Jacob Liddle sustained a suspected hamstring injury during warm-up, forcing him out before the match even started.
Initially, the Dragons held their own, taking the lead after scoring two tries by Cook and Stewart. They even capitalised on Rabbitohs player Peter Mamouzelos’ sin-binning for a hip-drop tackle. However, despite having an extra player, South Sydney countered as Alex Johnston scored just before halftime, giving them a 16-12 advantage as the teams headed to the sheds.
The second half continued to unravel for the Dragons when Jaydn Su’A was sent off for a dangerous shoulder charge on Cameron Murray, mirroring a desperate attempt to invigorate his struggling side. The act, deemed a ‘dirty hit’ by commentators, saw a muted response from the Rabbitohs fanbase as they cheered his dismissal. Remarkably, Murray was uninjured and continued playing.
After the match, captain Damien Cook expressed his bewilderment at the team’s performance, acknowledging the effort put in despite the lack of results. He reflected on the need to maintain discipline during tough times. Flanagan, visibly distressed, remained hopeful that consistent training efforts would eventually yield results, indicating belief in his squad as they seek to reverse their fortunes.
In a standout performance, Latrell Mitchell scored four tries, with Johnston and Dufty adding to the tally. Despite Mitchell’s struggles with goal-kicking, the Rabbitohs prepared to face the Storm next week, while the Dragons geared up for a challenging match against the Roosters. The Dragons’ prospects appear increasingly dire, and questions loom over Flanagan’s future at the helm as the season progresses.