Saturday 4 June 2016 11:01, UK
Brian McDermott admits Leeds' top-eight hopes are all but over after a 14th defeat of the Super League season against Catalans left his side anchored to the bottom of the table.
Last year's treble winners have endured a miserable campaign plagued by injuries and they now face the ignominy of fighting for their Super League status in the Qualifiers.
The spirited 24-12 defeat by the Dragons on Friday night was Leeds' sixth in a row in the league - their worst sequence of results since 1985 - and leaves the Rhinos eight points adrift of eighth-placed Widnes with six games left before the split.
Asked if the latest loss ends Leeds' top-eight chances, Rhinos head coach McDermott said: "It's going to make it difficult.
"We all make plans at the start of the year and some of these plans are dashed. When you talk about what might happen I don't think anyone envisaged this, in anyone's wildest dreams.
"But you hope you're going to get something from it.
"The club has been brilliant, the players have been great, the staff working more hours than God sends and the fans have been absolutely sensational in their perseverance through these tough times.
"There's the odd pocket of fans who are frustrated, and I get that, but for nearly the whole of the ground to stay and give the fellas a bit of a standing ovation at the end really does count for the boys. The players really do get off on that."
Leeds continued their trend of opening the scoring but it was a familiar story for the Rhinos as Brett Ferres' sixth-minute try was quickly forgotten with Catalans crossing through Justin Horo, Fouad Yaha and Jason Baitieri to take a 16-6 lead into the break.
Josh Walters' converted try gave Leeds hope but Catalans defended their line heroically and sealed a rare double over the Rhinos courtesy of Eloi Pellissier's breakaway try.
While the Rhinos were without 10 first-team players through injury and suspension, Catalans were also down on troops and fielded 12 homegrown players in a line-up that pleased head coach Laurent Frayssinous.
"I was very proud of their efforts, especially with 12 French players in my Catalans team," he said.
"It's a big response to those people who say that we are a team full of Australians."
The Dragons had been perennial strugglers on the road but have now won six of their eight away games in 2016 and are well placed in the table, with a six-point cushion above fifth-placed St Helens.
"In the past, we were very sad to go back in our private jet," Frayssinous added.
"This year, it's pleasing to come back with smiles on our faces."
