Bulldogs or Dragons? Who's closer to a premiership?

Which team is closer to a premiership? The Bulldogs or the Dragons?

That was the question posed to Chad Townsend and Joel Caine as both teams find themselves towards the bottom of the ladder.

After back-to-back finals appearances under Cameron Ciraldo and being the only team to beat Penrith this season, the Bulldogs have struggled to find consistency, having lost six of their last seven games, seeing them sit 14th on the ladder.

While the Dragons have had their worst season to date, having won their first game in 295 days against the Broncos last Sunday, seeing them firmly sit in last place.

When posed the question on air, Caine had no doubts about who was closer.

“I think Bulldogs for sure,” he told SENQ and SEN 1170’s The Run Home.

“Some of their juniors coming through (the Bulldogs). I mean, Dragons, yes, elite.

“Mitch Woods is the wild card (for them).”

But with their improvements in their squad ahead of next season, Townsend thinks the Dragons could surpass the Bulldogs given the recruitment push they've made for next season.

“I think this is a bit questionable,” the 2016 Premiership player explained.

“I mean, the Dragons, their young forward pack has got a lot of glaze, as they should.

“They play well on the weekend, especially Toby Couchman, they're all starting, Loko (Pasifiki Tonga) played well, (Dylan) Egan, (Hamish) Stewart.

“Then the signings they've made. Four big signings for next season, right?

“They're bringing in X-Factor, (Scott) Drinkwater, (Luke) Metcalf, the front man, (Keaon) Koloamatangi as well (and) Connor Watson, the professional for one year.

“To me, the Bulldogs have just gone a little bit backwards for me, a little bit stale this year.

“I kinda think the Dragons potentially are.

“It's a big call, don't get me wrong, but the way that the Dogs have played this season, their current squad.

“The things that the Dogs have done recruitment-wise, gone out (and) had conversations with Sam Verrills, had conversations with Luke Metcalf, it says to me they are not happy with what they are doing at the moment in those positions.”

The Dragons will look to double their win count when they take on the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday afternoon at Ocean Protect Stadium.

Meanwhile, he Bulldogs host the Eels on King’s Birthday at Accor Stadium.