Dragons' narrow losing run a 96-year record

With five-straight losses to their name by a combined margin of just 13 points, the 2023 Dragons have attached their name to an unwanted piece of history. 

Not since the 1927 Premiership season – which saw Balmain lose five on the trot by a combined margin of 11 points – has team been so close on the scoreboard through a five-match winless run. 

Remarkably, Balmain lost five-straight games by a combined margin of 13 points the prior season as well.

Since their last win back in Round 5 this year, the Dragons have only one loss by more than two points, and they head into Saturday's clash against the Cowboys having lost consecutive games by the margin of 18-16. 

Rugby league historian David Middleton said you can look to a mix of bad luck and poor decisions on the field when explaining the stat, with the Dragons' recent run part of what has been a Telstra Premiership season full of close scorelines. 

"They are a team that is close but just can't get the job done. The numbers suggest they have been unlucky, but if you've been watching them for the last few weeks there are a few shortcomings there too," Middleton said. 

"I've pondered the close games myself in recent times. It was only this time last year we were talking about how many blowouts there had been.

"I think you can say a lot of the teams who might have struggled with new rules are more accustomed to them now... but whatever it is, I am enjoying it."