Will Losing a few games before finals help Dragons win a premiership?

Depends how many they lose!

The Panthers may have thumped the Rabbitohs, but if the Dragons don't pull their fingers out, Souths might get up and the joint venture could find themselves on the end of a three match losing streak before they face the mighty Elbowing Eels in the last week of the regular comp.

Four straight losses is not the kind of momentum you want leading into the finals.

Im not worried. The Dragons have a top four finish wrapped up (worst case third). They played a Brisbane team fighting for the eight and obviously just more desperate. The Broncos of 06 were in a slump at this time in 2006 and also lost the first week of the finals to the Dragons 20-4. Then they won the premiership.

The loss last week to Canberra was meant to be the game to help them in the finals, two straight is bad news IMO. Its not even a case of them not trying because they know they've made the finals, they are just getting out-played and out-muscled in the last two weeks (against not so good teams.) They cant afford to go into a slump now after being so consistent, if they lose again before the finals they wont win the premiership, there will be no way.

If the dragons can play that bad and still only lose by a few points then I still think they can win the comp.Those 2 games were probably the dragons worst games and the broncos and raiders best games of the season and to only lose by 1 try against the raiders and two tries against the broncos is probably a good sign. If bennett can get their attack and go forward back to what it was I honestly think they are a chance.

That is a good question Foilole. I doubt whether the players or even Saint Benny knows. If anyone can keep them focused and not lose sleep it will be him. They have definitely lost confidence and momentum. I'm a Dragons supporter and am getting the Finals jitters........BUT Benny will not panic and just tell them to get back on track. Obviously they will be in the finals, how they go???????

Parramatta are looming as a real chance....look out for a big game last round V Dragons.

Cheers

Worst case we finish 4th, which to be honest would be disappointing after the season we've had.

Tonight we all saw the Dragons I have loved for many years playing as they did under Nathan Brown. They didn't look a chance to win the entire game, they just weren't in it. I'd love to know what happened, coz this is not the kind of footy we have watched from them this year, they didn't even get 1 try. I still love em, but they f*cked up tonight.

That loss against the Raiders should have taken any thoughts of an easy ride for the Dragons. To lose again and at home is not a good sign. I think the warning bells should be ringing for coach Bennett.

The big danger for all teams at this time of the year is the niggling injuries.

A long tough season takes its toll mentally and physically, none of us really knows who is carrying a long term minor injury.

Its that time of the year when despite the injuries players take a deep breath and step up.

Its been a great season so far and whoever makes the finals we should see some great football - may the toughest team win and then bark rather loudly (lol)

Yes, all Elite Sports people 'taper' before Premiership or Gold Medal Glory, look at swimmers, they train slow 6-2 weeks before a major meet, to regain composure & power, also most Junior teams that win a minor semi to go straight into a gf undefeated end up losing the gf.

Next week will tell all. If St George don't smash Souths then I think they are in trouble. Another ordinary performance won't help their mindset for the finals where you want some positive momentum going into the crunch games. Maybe the weight of expectation is starting to get to them?