The Dragons faced a narrow defeat against the Bulldogs, losing by just one point in their first match of the 2026 season, raising questions about their lack of an X-factor player crucial for clinching tight games.
Despite displaying commendable resilience and determination over the weekend in Las Vegas, their efforts fell short of securing a victory.
While their defence showed strength and kept them in contention, the team struggled significantly in their offensive plays.
No player exceeded 185 running metres, and the Dragons managed only one line break and four support plays, falling behind their opponents who achieved seven line breaks and 14 support plays.
"The concern is they're lacking X-factors. Like in the game that we just saw, who's a Stephen Crichton for them?" journalist Michael Carayannis remarked during an episode of NRL 360.