R21 FNF - KNIGHTS v DRAGONS *Match Thread*

[Timmah]

Newcastle v St George Illawarra
Friday 3 August, 7:30pm
ENERGYAUSTRALIA STADIUM, NEWCASTLE NSW
TIX > Ticketmaster.com.au
Delayed on NINE

LeagueUnlimited LIVE UPDATE
http://www.leagueunlimited.com/liveupdate.php?matchid=207

JARED MAXWELL
Sideline Officials: Mohamad Fajajo, David Abood; Video Referee: Phil Cooley

Newcastle Knights
Kurt Gidley, James McManus, George Carmont, Adam MacDougall, Cooper Vuna, Marvin Karawana, Luke Walsh, Adam Woolnough, Michael Young, Mitchell Sargent, Steve Simpson (C), Daniel Abraham, Reegan Tanner
Int - Terence Seu Seu, Kirk Reynoldson, Matthew White, Jesse Royal, Brad Tighe, Josh Perry*, Zeb Taia*, Cory Paterson*

St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Ben HORNBY, 2. Jason NIGHTINGALE, 3. Chase STANLEY, 4. Matt COOPER, 5. Josh MORRIS, 6. Rangi CHASE, 7. Jamie SOWARD, 8. Justin POORE, 9. Simon WOOLFORD, 10. Jason RYLES (c), 11. Beau SCOTT, 12. Chris HOUSTON, 13. Ben CREAGH
Int - 14. Adam PEEK, 15. Ashton SIMS, 16. Dan HUNT, 17. Tony CAINE, 18. Lagi SETU


Gates open 3:45pm
ARRIVE ALIVE CUP > Hunter Sports High v Kiama, 4:00pm
PREMIER LEAGUE > Newcastle v St George Illawarra, 5:30pm, JERSEY FLEGG Newcastle BYE​

 

[Apey]

I really hope we win this one.

If not, 2nd last is looking good for us, possibly even spooners if panthers pull their finger out.

 

[BWNB]

I don't like saying this but i think the Dragons will win this one.
But anyone can win on their day

 

[gong_eagle]

Knights v Dragons preview

Wednesday, August 1, 2007 - 12:54 PM
Well, this is certainly the last throw of the dice for the 15th-placed Dragons if they are to make a miraculous run to finals football – and considering the 13th-placed Knights are just a win ahead of them but with an atrocious -192 differential, it is reasonable to suggest their season is on its last chance as well.
It’s been a demoralising past few weeks for the Knights; injuries have conspired against them and the big scorelines have been racking up.
After the Storm pummelled them in round 18, they lost to the rejuvenated Roosters before getting thrashed by the Warriors 52-10 last week.
This week they welcome back Adam MacDougall from injury, moving Brad Tighe to the bench, and bring Marvin Karawana in to play five-eighth sending Daniel Abraham to the back row.
Reegan Tanner has been named to start at lock as Zeb Taia, Cory Paterson and Josh Perry join an extended bench, needing to pass fitness tests to be considered for this all-important clash.
For the Dragons, their late-season run was stalled by the Bulldogs in a close 28-24 loss but if they can win their remaining five games they will reach 26 competition points, a possible cut-off for the finals.
Mark Gasnier hasn’t been named to return after missing the ’Dogs clash with injury however Ashton Sims and Chase Stanley are due to return at the expense of Keith Lulia and Corey Payne.
Knights-bound Chris Houston will start the match as will Simon Woolford after he started the Bulldogs game from the bench.
Watch out Knights: It might have been a year far from the heights of the past few for the Dragons and their attack has indeed struggled but coach Nathan Brown will be hoping the likes of Ben Hornby and Matt Cooper can galvanise the exciting youth in the backline in a game they are all too aware has their season riding on it.
The likes of Jason Nightingale, Josh Morris, Rangi Chase, Chase Stanley and Jamie Soward are all wonderfully gifted and given some freedom they may just set up a wonderful future nice and early. Expect the Dragons to chance their hand any chance they get.
Watch out Dragons: Brian Smith and his coaching team have spent a lot of time analysing the Dragons as part of their recruitment campaign – and the trade-off has been an in-depth knowledge of players’ strengths and weaknesses.
Smith is one of the game’s best when it comes to manufacturing game plans so if his wounded squad can pull together and execute they’ll have the tools to win.
They have comprehensive dossiers on the likes of Jason Ryles and Chris Houston among others and will be out to make things difficult.
Where it will be won: The Knights can go a long way to winning this one if they are on the money with their kick defence.
The Dragons rely heavily on kicks to score points – 27 per cent of their tries scored this year are from the boot. T
he Knights, who have scored the same amount of tries overall, have seen just 13 per cent come from the boot.
If Brian Smith’s men can shut down Jamie Soward’s kicking game in particular the Dragons will be forced to look elsewhere for points, something they have struggled with this year.
The History: Played 18; Knights 7, Dragons 11. The Knights may have won two of the past three between these two sides but their record against the Dragons at EnergyAustralia is shoddy, having only won two of nine games there.
The Dragons love travelling up the F3 to play in front of a hostile crowd.
Conclusion: It would come as no surprise if Mark Gasnier is a late inclusion in this one and if he is the Dragons look decidedly stronger.
Even without him they still boast enough name players to give the shattered Knights a run for their money.
But the Knights are on death’s door and one constant in the Hunter region is the locals’ passion – they will be out in force to lift their men and keep their finals dreams alive.
Their chances could rest on the fitness of rookie Cory Paterson and Zeb Taia, two young players with enormous potential.
Match officials: Referee – Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials – Mohamad Fajajo & David Abood; Video ref – Phil Cooley.
Televised: Channel Nine – Delayed 9.30pm; Foxsports 3 – Delayed 1am.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.

http://nrl.com/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/6400/Default.aspx

 

[Timmah]

Statistically speaking (Taken from Big League Magazine):

Head to head clashes (18)
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 11
Newcastle 7
At EnergyAustralia Stadium (9)
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 7
Newcastle 2

Last meetings
Newcastle 16-12 at OKI, 2007
Dragons 38-12 at EAS, Knights 54 Dragons 6 at WIN, 2006

Big wins
Newcastle 54-6 at WIN, 2006
St George Illawarra 48-2 at WIN, 2004

Grand Finals
Never met in Grand Final

Under Maxwell
Never met under Maxwell

 

[Timmah]

19. Mark GASNIER.

Dragons clear Gasnier to play

August 02, 2007 ST GEORGE Illawarra star Mark Gasnier has passed a final test on his injured buttock muscle and will play in the Dragons must-win NRL clash with Newcastle tomorrow night.
Gasnier completed an individual fitness test and a team ballwork session at Oki Jubilee Stadium this morning to prove himself ready for a return.
The co-captain missed last week's narrow loss to the Bulldogs but will be rushed straight back into the starting side at five-eighth.
Gasnier has played just one NRL game in 2007 after missing the start of the season with a pectoral muscle tear.
"It's great news for us," Dragons coach Nathan Brown said.
"It's an injury we weren't sure whether he was going to be back or not.
"It was a little rare but fortunately Gaz heals well and I'm sure he will give the guys a rise in confidence."

AAP



http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23214,00.html

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

easy win for the knights

 

[dragonfire]

easy win for the knights

after last weeks performance and with Gasnier back i think we could give the knights a bit of a touch up. Either way i feel we have the goods to bring this one home

 

[runatme]

dragons 13+

 

[~knights~]

far out
Saints have a 7(9) win record at EAS

Hey it's supposed to be OUR home game ,LOL

 

[Tipster]

What is the weather like tonight?

 

[Missa]

please newie don't get smashed again.......nothing over 20 in defeat please

 

[brendothejet]

dragons up 4-0 ...jmie soward try and i had $5 on him

 

[Willow]

http://www.leagueunlimited.com/liveupdate.php?matchid=207

10-0

 

[Apey]

10 - 4 with a controversial

 

[Rovelli]

Knights 4 - 20 Dragons
[Full Time]

 

[Willow]

Looks like Saints rolled them in the last 10 minutes.

Will have to watch the replay but stats suggest that Ryles played a blinder.

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

Barnburner of a game this one. :sarcasm:

 

[Jobdog]

Almost as exciting as Souths games this year

 

[S.S.T.I.D]

I suppose you would be loving it, the other mob don't score 50.