'11 | Finals Wk 1 | Fri | Tigers 21-12 Dragons | ANZ

[Lowdown]

It's pretty clear the dragons have lost their mojo. Soward is borderline depressed, Hornby just ain't got the skills, and Darius is just not putting in.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Boyd's horribly overrated. Moltzen will easily replace him, and could end up being the buy of the year.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

more like over-coaching. "Too much" coaching that they become mechanical and can't seem to think outside the square. Of course it'll work most of the time, but it's been shown that when the Dragons are behind they panic and there doesnt seem to be a plan B

They have to be 'overcoached' because they don't have any natural creators in their spine - Boyd, Soward, Hornby, hooker of the week. This is the least creative spine ever to win a premiership. The fact they won a premiership is testament to Bennett's ability, and if they win it again this year (not impossible), it will be on the back of more 'overcoaching'.

The Dragons have a lot of quality everywhere else (both edges and the middle) and in fact probably more than any other side bar Brisbane and Manly.

If anything, the Dragons are structured the complete opposite way to the Storm - where Melbourne have a great spine surrounded by an average team, St George-Illawarra have an average spine surrounded by quality players. I'm constantly amazed by the way people talk about the Storm and the Dragons as if they play the same structure and style. The only thing they have in common is slowing down the opposition's attack.

 

[LatK7]

The dragons lost it on the 10 minutes before halftime. The tigers were absolutely disgraceful and should have been punished with a 12-18 point deficit at the break. The goal kick for 12-6 qa fair enough however the kick from wide to make it 14-6 after 2 sets on our line was stupid. As was setting for the field goal. If saints go for the try either time they score at least once IMO. Us being down by 12 or more at halftime would have been a huge mental edge for the dragons.

Definitely.

 

[skeepe]

People have been worried all year that poor refereeing would have a major impact on the finals.

It took all of 4 minutes for them to be proven right. That decision to award Marshall's try was absolutely disgraceful. Absolutely disgraceful. And it was only the first of many terrible decisions in favour of the Tigers, with the referees once again getting them home with their incompetence, the 7th time this season that that has happened.

It seems to be a bit of a theme developing. The Tigers only made it through to the preliminary final last year due to disgusting and just plain wrong decisions in their favour against the Raiders, they've only finished in the top 8 due to terrible decisions in their favour - most notably against the Knights and the Roosters - and now they've won their first final due to the same reason.

If the Tigers somehow go all the way and win the premiership, they will be the least deserving premiers in history.

 

[Jason Maher]

Skeepey old mate, the Marshall try was bollocks, but you're overlooking the very minor factor that they completely outplayed us in every respect in the second half. The referees did not win that game for the Tigers. The Tigers did.

 

[skeepe]

Skeepey old mate, the Marshall try was bollocks, but you're overlooking the very minor factor that they completely outplayed us in every respect in the second half. The referees did not win that game for the Tigers. The Tigers did.

Seriously, what was going on with that penalty goal attempt from the sideline and the field goal attempt? Soward looks to have lost all confidence, which is bizarre given how good he looked when setting up Nightingale.

Doesn't change the fact that the Tigers have received an unbelievable amount of bad decisions in their favour this year.

 

[Jason Maher]

The field goal attempt made sense, it was about a minute from half time. The first penalty attempt made sense. The second would have made sense if it was an easy shot. But 10 in from touch? Definitely should have taken the tap.

 

[gronkathon]

If the Tigers somehow go all the way and win the premiership, they will be the least deserving premiers in history.

I believe you are glossing over the salary cap cheat Raiders.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I believe you are glossing over the salary cap cheat Raiders.

Souffs 1909.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Boyd's horribly overrated. Moltzen will easily replace him, and could end up being the buy of the year.

Moltzen was in their best three last night. A year off a knee reco and still only 23. Can play 1,6 or 7.

He will be a great buy for Saints next year.

 

[gronkathon]

It is funny though how the majority of bitter fans grinding axes are from dross sides that missed the finals

 

[TV Ted Ellery]

People have been worried all year that poor refereeing would have a major impact on the finals.

It took all of 4 minutes for them to be proven right. That decision to award Marshall's try was absolutely disgraceful. Absolutely disgraceful. And it was only the first of many terrible decisions in favour of the Tigers, with the referees once again getting them home with their incompetence, the 7th time this season that that has happened.

It seems to be a bit of a theme developing. The Tigers only made it through to the preliminary final last year due to disgusting and just plain wrong decisions in their favour against the Raiders, they've only finished in the top 8 due to terrible decisions in their favour - most notably against the Knights and the Roosters - and now they've won their first final due to the same reason.

If the Tigers somehow go all the way and win the premiership, they will be the least deserving premiers in history.

As far as I'm concerned the Raiders won the premiership in 2010.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

It is funny though how the majority of bitter fans grinding axes are from dross sides that missed the finals

Suck it up princess. This is the luxury of not following any of the teams in the finals, and you have to ask yourself if making the finals and losing is any better than missing them in the first place.

My team won it's last game for 2011; only fans of four teams will be able to make that claim - Dogs, Roosters, Eels and whoever ends up winning the comp. The other 12 teams will go out losers.

Either way, it's your team that lost last night, not anybody else's, so if you want the glory when you win you better shut up and take it when your mob gets its bum smacked.

If the Dragons end up playing next week I reckon they're a good chance no matter who they face. So dry your tears and try to handle opposition fans talking about your team when they lose.

 

[gronkathon]

My team won last night genius

 

[Poupou Escobar]

My team won last night genius

No they didn't, you're a Dragons fan.

 

[gronkathon]

:lol: Spastic.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

I refuse to believe somebody whose team just won a finals match would carry on like such a whiny little bitch.

"Boo-hoo somebody whose team didn't make the finals said something mean about my side!"

Cry me a river you fat tart.

 

[gronkathon]

It is more a source of amusement.

 

[Poupou Escobar]

Fair enough, carry on then.

Winners are grinners.