Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
“Pathetic” Dragons and “unbelievable” Eels headline the teams under pressure in Round 3
Charles Goodsir • March 18th, 2025 12:35 pm
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio has labelled the St George Illawarra Dragons’ defence as “pathetic” over the opening two rounds of the 2025 season.
The Dragons conceded 28 points to the Bulldogs in their opening game of the season and coughed up a 12-point second half lead against the Rabbitohs to eventually lose 25-24.
Whilst their attacking weapons are impressive, Riccio believes it is all for nought if the Dragons fail to defend better in the coming weeks.
“There’s been a lot of focus on their halves to why the Dragons haven’t got it done,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It’s their defence. They are leaking 24 and 28 points in the first two rounds and you’re not going to put yourself in the frame (to win).
“Shane Flanagan is a defensively oriented coach and that’s where they have to start.
“They can score points because they’ve got plenty of strike with Valentine Holmes, Tyrell Sloan, Luciano Leilua, Jayden Su’A and Clint Gutherson.
“It’s all about defence and it has to be. They’ll get a touch up over the bye.
“(The tries conceded) were shocking. They were pathetic.”
The Dragons have the bye in Round 3 before hosting the Melbourne Storm in Round 4.
Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels are at the bottom of the ladder after a horror start to Jason Ryles’ tenure as head coach.
The Eels have conceded 88 points in the first fortnight of the competition which has led Ryles to swing the axe with his halfback for Parramatta’s Round 3 clash against the Bulldogs.
“Dean Hawkins is on (Ryles’) radar. He was in the frame before Ronald Volkman but unfortunately for Dean, he suffered an injury two weeks before the season kicked off,” Riccio added.
“He came back last week in the NSW Cup and he was pretty solid.
“Talking to Eels coaching staff, he is definitely in consideration to replace Volkman.
“In that NSW Cup team, there’s some decent players there. Bryce Cartwright, Ryan Matterson, Wiremu Greig, Charlie Guymer and Kelma Tuilagi.
“I’d be shocked if there weren’t any changes. I appreciate that Ryles is on a patient path and there will be more pain.
“You can’t just turn a blind eye to (players) not having a dig and attitude. That’s what we saw.
“The performance over the weekend was unbelievable.”
