I can only imagine what the dragon was thinking in that auto-resolve scenario.
"I will fell thee, foul creature!", Sovereign rides to battle.
Dragon thinks: Fool. I could have killed that thing and he wouldn't have to lift a finger.
Troll: LOLWTFNOOB. I gotz 130 Attack. What's u got?
Sovereign: I have the power of justice! Die, beast!
Troll: OMGWUT? *Pounds sovereign into the ground.
Dragon: Well now that's over. *Fire breaths troll*
Troll: OMG why didn't he let you attack first? LOL wut a noob *dies from flames*
Dragon: Well, what should I do with myself now?
BTW, I agree. Sovereigns should only "go" before melee units if they have ranged weapon or MP to cast spells (and then they should cast every turn until they don't, and then do nothing unless their attack is at least the same as the targets).