Wests Tigers head coach Benji Marshall has taken full responsibility for his team's disappointing defeat against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Kogarah on Saturday evening.
Despite Adam Doueihi scoring the first try, a lack of discipline and defensive lapses-especially following an injury to Apisai Koroisau-led to the team's downfall, marking their seventh loss in nine games.
The Dragons, securing only their second win of the season, struggled with ball control but managed to keep their lead in a closely contested match, ultimately scoring three late tries.
Marshall had emphasized the need for his side to perform at their best against the struggling Dragons, but admitted in the post-game that his message failed to resonate with the players, who seemed to assume victory was inevitable.
"That's on me as a coach because I've got to go and look at the preparation we had and then how we turned up with that performance today," Marshall stated during the post-match press conference.
"I've got to take accountability as the coach and the end of the day that starts and stops with me."
"We got exactly what we deserved today, to be honest. the discipline, attention to detail, care wasn't good enough."
"So full credit to the Dragons because they earned their win and we were poor."
The Tigers' problems were evident throughout the match, culminating in several penalties for high or dangerous contact against the Dragons.