John Sutton denies South Sydney are over-reliant on Greg Inglis after the NRL ladder-leaders slipped to their third defeat this season following Monday night's loss to struggling St George Illawarra.
Inglis has been ruled out for six-to-eight weeks after damaging his posterior cruciate ligaments in last week's State of Origin decider.
In the Queensland superstar's absence Souths produced their least effective display of the season as the Dragons ran out 22-18 winners in golden point at ANZ Stadium to ease their fears of claiming the wooden spoon.
"I thought it was our defence that let us down (on Monday) night and Greg stands at the back so it had nothing to do with him not being there," Sutton said.
"The Dragons really rolled us through the middle and made too many yards on us so that is something we have get right this weekend."
Front-rower Dave Tyrell echoed Sutton's sentiments and backed Justin Hunt to impress as Inglis' replacement in the custodian role having started against the Dragons.
"I actually thought Hunty played really well," Tyrell said.
"GI ... is a magnificent player and brings a lot to us. It was a team effort last night and the team simply didn't do what we needed to do to win the game."
Souths have a quick turnaround this week and head to the Gold Coast hot on the heels of recent 'home' games in Cairns and Perth against the Titans and Warriors respectively.
Michael Maguire's side are unbeaten on their long distance trips this campaign having also won in Auckland in round five.
But Tyrell said there is no danger of the constant travelling having an affect on the players at the business end of the season with the club having their best ever chance of winning a first premiership since 1970.
"It really is just another game," Tyrell said.
"We don't prepare any differently for an away game as we would if we are playing at home and we've played pretty well on our travels.
"It's not something that we are worried about at all."
Share
