The Mole: Dragons 'learned nothing' as six-year worst puts coach in danger; bold Bennett switch proves a masterstroke

The Dragons' season is all but over before it ever had a chance to begin, with the joint venture sitting at the bottom of the ladder after three rounds.

Close losses killed the Dragons last season and apparently the team has learned nothing over the summer.

They were beaten by one point by the Bulldogs in Vegas, well outclassed by the Storm last week and only trailed the Eels by four points until the final moments on Sunday.

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Of greater worry to coach Shane Flanagan is that his senior players are the ones who are letting the team down.

Star centre Val Holmes had a shocker against Parramatta, skipper Clint Gutherson made some uncharacteristic errors and marquee signing Daniel Atkinson was poor.

Big back-rower Luciano Leilua scored his team's opening try but missed an alarming eight tackles and made two errors with the ball.

It's their worst start to a season in six years, since the dark days of 2020 when Paul McGregor was sacked mid-season.

The Eels were far from convincing but with Mitch Moses pulling the strings and a fine two-try cameo by replacement hooker Tallyn Da Silva, were able to make it back-to-back wins.

BENNETT'S BRAVE MOVE PROVING A MASTERSTROKE

Wayne Bennett isn't known as coaching's 'Old Fox' for no good reason.

Over the summer, Bennett made a decision that could well have broken the Bunnies.

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He decided to move his match-winning utility back Latrell Mitchell from his favoured position at fullback to centre, preferring mighty mite Jye Gray at No.1.

It was a risk - Latrell could have spat out the dummy, Gray could have crumbled under pressure.

But after three rounds, the Rabbitohs have won two games and the pair were outstanding in the nervy 20-16 defeat of the Tigers.

Gray was the hero, scoring the opening try and then proving courageous in the last line of defence time and again.

Latrell was Latrell - he scored a try, had a hand in another but gave away an eight-point try and put a kick off out on the full.

Overall, his positives outweighed the negatives and Souths look a far more dangerous team than last season at this early stage.

REAL TEST AWAITS DOLPHINS

The Dolphins have set the scene for an epic clash with 'big brother' Brisbane next weekend with a 38-10 mauling of the Sharks.

After a poor display in round one against Souths, the Phins have now won back-to-back matches.

And few clubs have come away from Shark Park as such convincing winners in recent years.

With halfback Isaiah Katoa setting up tries for fun, centres Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo in fine form and fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow always dangerous, the Phins carved up the much-hyped Cronulla backline.

Can they do the same against Reece Walsh, Kotoni Staggs and co? Watch this space…

ORIGIN SMOKEY GROWING HIS CASE

Jackson Ford is putting in a claim for having the best motor of any prop in the NRL.

Not for the first time this season, the Warriors front-rower played the full 80 minutes in the impressive 38-12 win over the Knights, as well as topping the run metres (236) and tackles (44).

His energy and enthusiasm is one of the big reasons the Wahs are undefeated after three rounds and going great guns.

I've been saying since round one that if the Blues pick their team on form, Ford should be among the first players picked. But on selections in recent seasons, he could easily miss the boat.

SAME PROBLEMS REAPPEAR FOR MELBOURNE

Before a ball was kicked this season, I wrote that the Storm needed to consult a good sports psychologist after the agony of back-to-back grand final losses.

And it's clear after watching Craig Bellamy's men fall apart against the Broncos - their conquerors in last year's big dance - that the Storm are still mentally struggling.

The men in purple played a superb first half and looked to have the game well in hand at half-time.

They led 14-0 at the break - but self destructed in the second half when the Broncos put the heat on.

It was the grand final all over again, when Brisbane came from 10 points down to take the title.

The game was the first time in 24 games the Storm have lost after holding a lead of 14 points or more at AAMI Park.

It was also their third straight loss to the Broncos - who are clearly living rent free in their heads… is there a psychologist in the house???

ROOSTERS LOSING TOUCH WITH EXPECTATIONS

So three rounds into the new season, what the heck's happened to the Sydney Roosters?

Trent Robinson's side have been heavily beaten in two games with a lone win over Souths giving them their only joy.

A club that prides itself on commitment to defence, the Roosters have conceded exactly 100 points in those three games - a worrying average of over 30 points.

Penrith embarrassed the Roosters at home on Friday night, smashing them 40-4 and scoring some of their tries with alarming ease.

New general Daly Cherry-Evans is still finding his way while the other big new signing, Reece Robson, led the missed tackle count on debut with seven.

Sam Walker doesn't look the brilliant attacking player he's been the last couple of years and not even the amazing James Tedesco's great form has been able to rescue the team.

The Panthers really look like a team on a mission in the early rounds, charging to the top of the ladder with big wins over the highly-rated Broncos, Sharks and now Roosters.

The backline is in spectacular form, with winger Tom Jenkins reaping the rewards of his inside men with eight tries in three rounds.

DOGS STAR PLAYING FOR NEW DEAL

Make no mistake - Connor Tracey is playing for his career at the Bulldogs - and he took a giant leap towards earning a new deal with a man-of-the-match performance in Thursday night's slog-fest in Canberra.

Bulldogs officials are still tossing up whether Tracey is the answer in the key fullback position - that's why he hasn't got a contract for 2027 at this stage.

But I'll be surprised if Gus Gould doesn't draw up an extension in coming days after Tracey produced one of the finest displays of his career in horrible conditions in Canberra.

In a tight struggle that went down to the final minute, Tracey scored the Dogs' first try, had a hand in their other, saved one and made over 200 run metres.

It's the sort of performance you see from the likes of Reece Walsh or James Tedesco and should have convinced Cameron Ciraldo and Gould that Tracey is the man going forward.