DOGS, HOME FANS DRAGON THE BIG V DOWN
A SHATTERED Paul McGregor said he had no issue with St George Illawarra fans turning on his players in the aftermath of yesterday’s 38-0 thumping by Canterbury.
An afternoon that started with an emotional tribute following the tragic passing of Lance Thompson descended into ugly scenes as the home crowd booed the players off at halftime and again at the final siren after the humiliating six-tries-tonil annihilation.
It was the Dragons’ biggest loss at Jubilee Oval and angry fans vented their frustration.
Saints prop James Graham couldn’t contain his emotions as he retaliated.
Asked how disappointing it was to cop that sort of reaction, McGregor conceded: “It is shattering.”
Asked if the fans had the right to act as they did, McGregor said: “Well they pay to come and watch.
“It is very disappointing.” Stand-in skipper Tyson Frizell added: “It is hard to cop that from the fans but rightly so. We can cop losing when we are doing our best. But what we had to play for and to play like that, not give ourselves any opportunity … it is pretty disappointing.”
Bulldogs coach Dean Pay felt the Dragons deserved more respect.
“No one wants to see that. I can honestly say at each and every club I have been at they have all put their heart and soul into their performances,” Pay said.
The Dragons dropped to sixth on the NRL ladder, with Cronulla moving into the top four and Penrith claiming fifth spot.
As bad as the Dragons were, Ben Hunt’s declining form is the biggest worry for McGregor on the eve of the finals. The star recruit had another forgettable game, having one run for 9m and some of his kicks were just not up to NRL standard.