Broncos v Dragons Preview
NRL.com
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52418
Suncorp Stadium
Friday 7.35pm
ALWAYS a massive clash between these two teams, with plenty of history between the Broncos and the Dragons.
It also shapes as Wendell Sailor v Broncos take two. In match one, big Del enjoyed an explosive start to the match before fracturing his cheek and being sat back down on the bench as quickly as it all began.
Sailor has been named on an extended bench, but dont be surprised if coach Nathan Brown unleashes his rugby union recruit on his former team theres no doubt that the dual-international will be in his ear about it all week.
Looking at the bigger picture, this game is crucial for both sides. The Dragons need to win to keep their finals hopes alive.
They did appear to be certainties for the top eight a couple of weeks ago when they held a comfortable grip on sixth place, however since then they are dangerously slipping down the ladder after a series of losses.
The Dragons dont have the easiest of runs home, with games to follow against the Warriors, the Eels and the Roosters.
There are so many teams battling for the last three spots in the eight that St George Illawarra need to act now otherwise by Monday night theyll find themselves out of the top eight.
Meanwhile, after the Roosters went down to Parramatta last week, the door has re-opened on the Broncos push for the top-four.
It looked to be over after they went down to the Warriors in Auckland, but with the Roosters loss, and subsequently difficult draw which sees them face Melbourne and Cronulla away and finish with arch-rivals Souths and the Dragons Brisbane are back in the hunt if they win their remaining games.
This is very much achievable for the Broncos.
In fact, they shouldnt lose again this year when you look at their draw of the Dragons, Titans, Bulldogs and Knights at Suncorp.
Both teams should be desperate in this match, and in front of what will be a packed house at the Cauldron, it should be a Friday night special.
Watch Out Broncos
The Dragons welcome back Jason Ryles to the side this week which will add plenty of much-needed grunt for them in the engine room.
His absence last week, with fellow bookend Justin Poore out injured, certainly hurt St George Illawarra in their loss to the Wests Tigers. However, the Broncos need to be most wary here out wide.
Without Justin Hodges (still suspended) theyve put the inexperienced Joel Moon in the centres, while fellow deubutants Kaine Manihera and Reece Robinson will start on the wings.
Karmichael Hunts injury has seen another youngster in Denan Kemp (15 tries) retreat to fullback, meaning Origin centre Darius Boyd is the player with a few seasons under his belt playing in the outside backs.
With the Dragons boasting the attacking potency of Mark Gasnier (averages 138 metres), Matt Cooper, Brett (12 line breaks) and Josh Morris (11 tries) and Jason Nightingale (12 tries) out wide, this is the area where they can really hurt Brisbane.
Gasnier needs to get himself involved in this match, and if he does it could spell trouble for the Broncos.
Watch Out Dragons
The class of Darren Lockyer (five line-break assists, five try assists) and Peter Wallace (14 try assists, averages 258 kicking metres) in the halves will be a constant threat for the Dragons.
With the finals fast approaching, expect Lockyer and Wallace to really step up their involvement and on the back of a dominant forward pack, this dynamic duo will school the Dragons for the entire 80 minutes.
Where It Will Be Won
This should be a very open football game featuring plenty of trials and it will be decided by attacking brilliance.
There is too much try-scoring potential in both sides for their not to be some pieces of attacking brilliance, and it will come down to who can execute the best.
The loss of Karmichael Hunt (averaging 130 running metres, 8 try assists, 6 clean line breaks) will make a difference on the game and the Broncos are certainly weaker with him out.
However, the class of Lockyer and Wallace and the speed of Michael Ennis (6 try assists) out of dummy-half will ensure they have no shortage of options.
The Dragons halves pairing of Ben Hornby and Jamie Soward (17 try assists) really need big games, with Sowards kicking game really called upon to come to the fore.
They need to set their outside backs into motion, and with some space, the aforementioned Morris twins, Gasnier and Cooper can cut loose on their relatively inexperienced opposites.
Its important that St George Illawarra dont get overawed by the occasion, and they will need to absorb the pressures of playing at Suncorp in the first few minutes of the game.
If they get caught in the headlights early Brisbane will get off to a roll-on theres no way back from.
The History
Now, this is where it gets interesting.
You would think that Brisbane holds a commanding lead over the Dragons in the head-to-head stakes, but thats not the case.
From 19 clashes, the Dragons lead 10-9.
In matches played at Suncorp Stadium, get on the Dragons, because they hold a 4-1 advantage at Brisbanes home ground!
They have also won their past six matches against the Broncos; Brisbane hasnt beaten them since 2005!
An incredible record for the red-and-whites.
Conclusion
Brisbane are favourites in this match, but having looked at the history, the Dragons are in this one right up to their teeth.
If the younger players arent intimidated, and theyre ready from the opening whistle, St George Illawarra will prove difficult to beat.
Brisbane arent worried by the history books though and theyre out to square up the ledger 10-10. A must-watch game.
Match Officials
Referee Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials Gerard Sutton & Jeff Younis; Video Referee Phil Cooley.
Televised: Channel Nine Live 7.30pm (Qld), delayed 9.30pm (NSW); Fox Sports 2 Delayed 1.00am.
* Stats: NRL Stats.
Jared Maxwell
