Dragons Need Help

St George-Illawarra have recruited a leadership consultant in a desperate bid to shed their image as the National Rugby League's (NRL) most enigmatic team.

The Dragons, on paper one of the most impressive rosters in the competition, were at their most infuriating against Canberra last Sunday. They were booed off by their fans at halftime at OKI Jubilee Stadium and eventually bombed out 12-21 after bombing a certain try and coughing up the winning score.

Ray McLean has been appointed to improve each player's attitude ? no mean feat with former captain Lance Thompson having already been stood down in the pre-season for turning up to training drunk.

Then centre Mark Gasnier pulled out of today's visit to Ericsson Stadium, saying he was "stale" after a shocker against the Raiders.

McLean, who has worked with the Collingwood AFL team and National Basketball League champions' Sydney Kings, said the Dragons were as well conditioned as any team but they had not spent a lot of time on mental development.

"The first time I went to see the players I asked them: 'Imagine I'm a new player, explain what the club is like to me'," McLean said.

"They were honest and said: "We're seen as talented as a group but we haven't delivered and we haven't always been disciplined either."

McLean said players were encouraged to take ownership for their own performances ? and adhering to that principle may have convinced Gasnier not to front against the New Zealand Warriors.

He was scathing of his own performance describing it was easily the worst in his 64-match first grade career.

Fellow Kangaroo Shaun Timmins admitted the Dragons needed a face-saving performance against the Warriors despite being only two weeks into the campaign.

"All we've talked about is trying to get off to a good start but since we've merged (with Illawarra Steelers in 1999) we've got off to shithouse starts.

"We're disappointed. We know we've got a reputation, but we're working hard to shake that tag."

Today may be too soon to expect a turnaround with the Dragons missing key personnel for the trip to one of the most intimidating of away venues.

McLean warns results may not materialise overnight.

"Sometimes it's a two or three year journey. If people think they're going to get consistency at the flick of a switch they're kidding themselves."