It was billed as a clash that would define who is last with no wins, and it was the Canterbury Bulldogs who overcame the St George Illawarra Dragons.
With both sides struggling in their own rights and needing wins, the 22-2 scoreline could be the end of Paul McGregor’s stint at the Dragons.
A scheduled board meeting on June 16 will likely decide his fate, as the Dragons now sit rooted to the bottom of the ladder.
Ultimately, try as they might, it was errors and no execution that let the Dragons down.
A penalty goal from Zac Lomax actually put the Dragons ahead 2-0 but that would be the only points they would score.
A show and go from Adam Elliott saw the Dogs open their account for the game and for the game’s first try.
He barged over and after a successful conversion, the score sat at 6-2.
Nick Meaney then opted for a penalty goal on two occasions, stretching the Bulldogs lead out to eight points.
Meaney would soon grab a try of his own, after capitalising on good lead up play from Kieran Foran, Lachlan Lewis and Will Hopoate.
Jordan Pereira almost scored a try for the Dragons, only to ground the ball touch-in-goal despite his acrobatic efforts.
The Bulldogs final try came off the back of a cross-field kick and Reimis Smith was there to pluck it from the sky and score.
The Bulldogs will be grateful for the win but they will need plenty more to get the pressure off their coach in Dean Pay.
McGregor did not beat around the bush about his future.
“If they make the decision I’ll understand it,” he said.
“I’ll be disappointed obviously but I understand the situation and there’s conversations around it every day which doesn’t help the team.”
Though he did say that no player or club staffer has approached him with any issues.
“If that decision is made, I’ll wear it,” McGregor continued.
“I’ve certainly got the backing of the players and the staff. No one from the club has come forward and said anything to me.”
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
2. Adam Elliott
- Nick Meaney
