The St George Illawarra coach Wayne Bennett denies the NRL rugby league front-runners are suffering from a crisis of confidence despite the Dragons limping into next week's blockbuster clash against the red-hot Sydney Roosters on the back of two straight losses.
Clinging to top spot after going down 10-6 to Brisbane last night, the Dragons will need to mount a monumental form reversal to overcome the Roosters, who continued their stunning surge with a 48-12 hammering of Parramatta.
Victories to Penrith and Wests Tigers left them tied with the Roosters two points adrift of the Dragons, but St George Illawarra's superior points differential means they should hold onto top spot even with a third straight loss.
Gold Coast took a massive step towards securing a second straight finals berth with a 28-20 win over the Warriors, the two sides having entered the contest locked on 24 competition points.
The Titans are now fifth on 26, and can move even closer and push Parramatta to the brink of elimination when they host the Eels on Friday night.
Manly can move back into fifth with victory over Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight, the Knights needing to win every match to keep their slim finals hopes alive.
