Brown lays into Dragons again
By James Hooper
April 13, 2006
ST GEORGE-Illawarra coach Nathan Brown last night spoke about his side's horror loss last weekend, claiming the crowd "could not be blamed" for storming out of WIN Stadium 20 minutes before fulltime.
Brown's Dragons were flogged 54-6 in one of the most embarrassing defeats in the joint-venture club's eight-year history.
With the inspirational Andrew Johns dominating, the Knights raced in nine tries to leave the Dragons shattered and hurt.
Fox Sports showed depressing images of supporters walking out of the ground 15 to 20 minutes before fulltime.
"I can't blame them for that," Brown said. "I'm sure none of them wanted to sit in traffic after we put in a performance like that.
"They would have gone home and drowned their sorrows.
"They pay their money. They want to win like we do.
"It was a performance we're not proud of but every side in the comp got a flogging at some point last year.
"We just have to get over it."
Brown told his players at fulltime they had quit during sections of the match.
After 30 minutes no try had been scored by either team until the Knights cut loose.
"We competed for about 30 minutes and the score was 2-0 but then they were far superior, as the scoreline indicates," Brown said.
"Some may say our attack was too predictable but it was just that our execution wasn't there.
"It was disappointing but as I said every side seems to have a blowout during a season these days.
"North Queensland lost by 50 points in a semi-final last year and three weeks later almost won the grand final.
"It's all a matter of how you respond to it."
Brown and the Dragons have tried to stay composed this week.
Their form leading into the Newcastle match was stable and club officials feel there was no real reason to panic after a one-off loss.
"We watched video this week and showed areas where we weren't up to scratch," he said.
"It was all about attitude. We did video and the players saw some pictures they wouldn't have liked to see.
"We have been making mistakes in attack that we have gotten away with in recent weeks. But when we cracked against Newcastle, we cracked really badly.
"We haven't been stung like that before.
"But in saying that, I am confident of an improved showing this weekend."
And the Dragons will need to improve dramatically against Manly this Saturday at Brookvale Oval.
The Sea Eagles have won their past three games including a strong win over the Warriors last weekend.
"They are going well - they have a State of Origin back row (Ben Kennedy, Anthony Watmough and Steve Menzies)," Brown said.
"Their front row is big and aggressive and they have Matt Orford there now and Steve Bell is very dangerous.
"They made the top eight last year and will certainly be stronger this season.
"And I don't think they are playing to their peak at the moment. They are finding ways to win their games."
The Daily Telegraph