The metre-eaters of the NRL are suddenly on a hunger strike.

St George Illawarra's 2009 premiership drive has hit a speed bump with their first back-to-back defeat of the year, a 12-2 loss to Brisbane at WIN Stadium on Friday night jeopardising their minor premiership chances.

And just as it was in the 24-12 defeat in Canberra last week, the Dragons lost their go-forward against the Broncos, making just 1197m.

It was their second worst yardage gain this year, following the 1211m in Canberra, and well down on their season average of 1452m.

Centre Matt Cooper says the Dragons are finding it difficult getting out of their own half, not even a favourable 8-4 penalty count helping them get momentum against a defiant Brisbane side.

"We just didn't get any field position," said Cooper.

"Their line speed was great and we were struggling to get out of our half.

"That was probably a major issue for us so we have to look at that.

"We're still on top of the table, but you don't want to be going into the semis with losses under your belt."

The loss has put the Dragons' once vice-like grip on the minor premiership in danger, with the Bulldogs capable of drawing level on 34 competition points when they meet the Sydney Roosters on Monday.

With the Dragons facing the more difficult run to the finals - with South Sydney (away) and Parramatta (home) in the final two weeks - the red and whites need to rediscover their winning form quickly.

But there is no panic in the red and whites.

Cooper says if anything the back-to-back losses will only make the Dragons hungrier for the ultimate success at the end of the year.

"It might make us a bit more hungry," said Cooper.

"We have been up for a while, it's something that is hard to do. It's hard to stay on top forever so maybe it is a good thing that we've had a loss."

Cooper limped from the field late in the loss, but says his ongoing heel complaint is going to remain a problem he will just have to manage through the finals.

Skipper Ben Hornby said the Dragons simply need to focus on getting their training right to get out of their mini slump.

"At the moment, we're probably not playing our best," said Hornby.

"We're not executing as well as we have in the past. We just have to go back to the training paddock and get it right."

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