There is no need for Dragons supporters to feel despondent despite their two successive losses to the Bulldogs and the Roosters. Their performance against the Roosters on Monday night was extremely admirable and in some way enhanced, rather than diminished, their premiership credentials. Whilst the Roosters were missing representative stars Michael Jennings, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sam Moa they still fielded a team chock full of talent and no team is going to beat a team of that quality when they only have 46% of the ball, as the Dragons had on Monday night. The Dragons defence was first class, having to make 438 tackles to the Roosters 313. The Roosters had plenty of quality ball in the Dragons quarter but were restricted to just three tries. This was a game of high quality and whilst the Roosters were the better team on the night, and deserved their victory, both teams displayed the type of football required at finals time. The last nine premiers have conceded either the least number of points per game or the second least and currently the Dragons with a match average of 12.42 and the Roosters with 13.57 are holding down those top two spots ahead of Melbourne (14.42) and Brisbane (16.14). These are the only four teams conceding less than 18 points per game. If the Dragons continue to defend as they did on Monday nightthere are still plenty of wins ahead of them this season.

2 You have got to give full credit To Cowboys

Strong: Tyson Frizell and the Dragons are still looking good. Credit:Getty Images

It is some feat for a team in such a tight competition as the NRL to win three straight matches but to win eleven straight as the Cowboys have now done is quite mind blowing. Teams like the Cowboys and the Warriors have to overcome severe disadvantages not faced by other NRL teams, regularly traveling long distances every second week and it is no surprise that for many of the 21 seasons that they have been in the competition both have struggled for consistency, particularly away from home. The Cowboys, however, are now undefeated outside of Queensland this year, winning their last six away games, and are extremely well placed to secure a vital top two spot at the end of 26 rounds. Their winning streak includes a significant number of last-minute victories but they are all worth two points and the self-belief that the players and coaching staff must all have continues to serve them well in the dying minutes of their matches. Whilst we cannot underestimate the contribution made in these wins by our games best player, Jonathon Thurston, the Cowboys have won these matches through the efforts of many and one wonders when this winning streak will finally end. A home game this weekend against the Sharks will be followed by a trip to Wollongong the week after to play the Dragons without their Origin stars. Maybe it ends then but I wouldn't want to sell short the resilience within this team currently to overcome any obstacle put before them.

3 The Canberra Raiders are ready to climb