As for that Dragons side, they are too slow around the ruck. Young and Priddis are good Dummy Halves but they are not as quick as they once were and that entire forward pack is big and slow. Cam Smith will crucify them around the ruck.
They have a quality backline and with Hornby there instead of Head, they will see more ball then they did in the shield, but they come up against a quality backline as well this week. I'm tipping a tough week for the Dragons. They are notorious slow starters and I don't think this year will be any different.
If we get a fair play the ball, unlike in the Charity Shield, Saints will be competitive in this game.
It's a good team to start the year off with, in battles like it will be in Melbourne but you'd hope to see Costigan, BMorris come into the side and bring a bit more speed and skill ... Mickey Paea and Ricky Thorby will keep Costigan honest too. Both excellent in a truer trial against Canterbury.
I can't see many teams winning in Melbourne, despite their losses, and it's made a more difficult task considering their end to 2008 and all the changes at Saints.
Melbourne's recruitment has still been good considering the constraints and they have a fairly settled combination between key players. Weak spot is the centres with Chambers coming off an injury lay off and Isa who is raw, but their job is fairly simple given Hoffman on one side and (likely) a NZ International on the other side. Loss of impact off the bench is probable should be countered somewhat by the emergence of Kevin Proctor and the purchase of Ryan Hinchcliffe.
