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getsmarty

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jason-nightingale_dennistutty.jpg



PLAYERS' CHAMPION


Jason Nightingale receives Dennis Tutty Award
Author
Margie McDonald Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Tue 11 Sep 2018, 09:20 PM

Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga has created history by becoming the youngest winner of the RLPA Players' Champion.

The 20-year-old Knights star received the peer-voted award at the Players' Champion presentation at Doltone House in Sydney on Tuesday night and it signals the changing of the guard in rugby league, according to RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast.

With premiership-winners and 300-game players of the calibre of Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Luke Lewis, Sam Thaiday and Chris Heighington leaving the game, the younger brigade led by the likes of Ponga, Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary are stepping up.

The award began in 2004 to recognise excellence both on and off the field.

It's been quite a season for Newcastle's goal-kicking fullback.

In his 20 appearances for his new club, the former Cowboy produced six tries, 11 try assists, 12 line breaks and 140 tackle breaks. He also ran an average of 142 metres per game.

Those kind of statistics earned him a maiden Holden State of Origin series call-up for Queensland, playing game two off the bench and producing an eye-catching display.

pongak-1180617-gp-04.jpg

Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga. :copyright:Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
But his emergence alongside other rising talent comes at a poignant time in the NRL.

"We have witnessed somewhat of a changing of the guard in 2018, with the emergence of young stars with plenty of character and a number of the game’s longest servants retiring," Prendergast said.

Ponga edged out a few other youngs stars from the list of finalists that included Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster, 23, Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 25, Sharks flyer Valentine Holmes, 23, and Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, 27.

Previous winners include James Tedesco (2017), Jason Taumalolo (2016), Danny Buderus (2004) and Johnathan Thurston (2005, 2013-15). Thurston always said that in his list of awards won, he considered the RLPA trophy "the highest individual accolade a player can receive".

"It's incredible that at such a young age, Kalyn has already gained the recognition from his fellow players as the best performer in 2018," Prendergast said.

"Despite the Knights not making it through to the finals this season, Kalyn continued to put in dominant performances throughout in his first-year at the club.

"The RLPA membership have had their say and for a 20-year-old to be voted the best by his peers, it just shows what a prestigious talent the Newcastle custodian is.

the-players-13-dream-team---2560x1440.jpg

"On behalf of the RLPA, I want to congratulate Kalyn and all other award recipients at tonight’s event."

The RLPA provided more than 500 contracted NRL players with a list of 64 players (four from each club) in contention for the established Players' Champion award and the recently introduced Players' 13 Dream Team.

The players voted for their champion picks on a 3-2-1 system based on their performance across the entire 2018 season.

Players were unable to vote for their teammates, while no points were deducted for serving suspensions.

jason-nightingale.jpg

St George Illawarra Dragons star Jason Nightingale received the Dennis Tutty Award for 2018, recognising his contribution in the player wellbeing and education space.

Tutty, a former Balmain, Penrith and Australian player, was on hand to present Nightingale with the honour.


Australian Jillaroos star and captain of the Sydney Roosters WNRL side, Simaima Taufa, was recognised as the Elite Women’s Player of the Year for her strong World Cup campaign.


North Queensland powerhouse Jason Taumalolo continued the rise of Tonga in the international arena, edging out finalists from Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea to be named Representative Player of the Year.


Perhaps one of the hottest contested awards of the night was Rookie of the Year, with Sydney Roosters hitman Victor Radley emerging with the most votes from his peers, ahead of Jamayne Isaako (Broncos), AJ Brimson (Titans), Rhyse Martin (Bulldogs) and Jesse Ramien (Sharks).



The Players' Champion: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)

The Players' 13 Dream Team: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights), Valentine Holmes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters), Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers), Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos), Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Andrew Fifita (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)

Rookie of the Year: Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)

Dennis Tutty Award: Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Representative Player of the Year: Jason Taumalolo (Tonga)

Elite Women's Player of the Year: Simaima Taufa (Australian Jillaroos)

The '300 Club': Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), John Sutton (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)

Indigenous Leadership & Excellence: Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)


Pasifika Leadership & Excellence: Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)

NRL Academic Player of the Year: Dale Copley (Gold Coast Titans)

Women's Academic Player of the Year: Kody House (Brisbane Broncos)

NRL Academic Team of the Year: Aiden Tolman (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters), Jason Bukuya (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Dunamis Lui (Canberra Raiders), Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys), David Gower (Parramatta Eels), Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos), Ryley Jacks (Melbourne Storm), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons), Dale Copley (Gold Coast Titans), Kody House (Brisbane Broncos)



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/11/jason-nightingale-receives-dennis-tutty-award/
 
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getsmarty

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After a monster loss to the Bulldogs, Dragons coach Paul McGregor tore strips off his team — and it worked
Dragons
  • September 12, 2018 11:38am
  • by Simon Brunsdon and Pamela Whaley
  • Source: FOX SPORTS
b7138517cf0609b82af8ae2a0dfc8650

Dragons coach Paul McGregor gave his team a kick in the backside leading into finals. Pic Mark EvansSource: News Corp Australia
AFTER being walloped by the Bulldogs 38-0 in Round 24, Dragons coach Paul McGregor tore strips off his finals-bound team to fire them up — and it worked.

Heading into Round 25 they had lost all but two of their last eight games, and McGregor was not seeing the enthusiasm he expected of a team about to play finals for the first time since 2015.

Their season was spiralling rapidly and McGregor knew he needed to do something to stop it.

Two days after the embarrassing loss at Jubilee Oval, McGregor walked into the video session and delivered one of the all-time sprays.



698174_640x360_large_20180911125857.jpg

Will Graham return?

0:44
Foxsports.com.au understands McGregor’s blow-up almost blew the roof off WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

After dishing out the hard truths, McGregor then told his players to take two days off work, to get away from football and think about how they wanted to end their 2018 NRL season.

“I know it really helped me because I was able to freshen up and get my head right, get my body right. It was what I needed,” said fullback Matt Dufty, who had earlier asked his coach for a break and had been benched for the Bulldogs game.


“(McGregor) gave us a (verbal) beating but then he said we should all be excited, we’re playing finals footy. He said go away and get yourself right for the game against Newcastle.

“It was good to just spend time with friends and family, get away from footy and get away from all the media. I didn’t really use my phone, I just got away.


https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...d/news-story/e0a1a43a5ddb6823fe900beff5183f2d
 
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getsmarty

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Why Dragons young gun Matt Dufty told coach to drop him, and how he bounced back
Dragons
simon_brunsdon.jpg

7172df59c77d2bfa338c5409927f8376

Dragons young gun Matt Dufty opens up on mental fatigue this season.Source: FOX SPORTS
MATT Dufty walked into Paul McGregor’s office at Dragons HQ and told his NRL coach how he felt.

The 22-year-old was “tired” and “drained”. He was mentally exhausted.

He felt his body was struggling to keep pace with the rigours of playing professional rugby league every week.

He told McGregor not to pick him in the team.

That was leading into St George Illawarra’s Round 24 meeting against Canterbury. The team had lost three of their past four games and their once-promising season was spiralling downwards at a rapid rate.

Dufty and McGregor agreed he would be picked in the team after all, but the coach would name him on the bench instead of starting him at fullback.

“I went and spoke to Mary and told him I was pretty drained physically and mentally,” Dufty told foxsports.com.au this week.


803a0cce4be645e3839ea350d76f5fdb

Matt Dufty of the Dragons has opened up about mental fatigue.Source: Getty Images
“I just wasn’t feeling 100 per cent and I didn’t think it was right for me to take the field.

“He said he was thinking the same thing but he wasn’t going to drop me ... but I didn’t think it was right and we agreed I should have a week off or play off the bench.”

An injury to Dufty’s replacement Jason Nightingale meant the young gun was thrown into the action much sooner than had been planned.

The Dragons went on to lose the game 38-0 to bottom eight-bound Bulldogs and Dufty was later called out for some of his efforts in defence during the game.

Two days later McGregor walked into the video session and delivered one of the all-time sprays at his players.

Foxsports.com.au has been told — not by Dufty — McGregor’s blow-up almost blew the roof off WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

The coach then told the players to take two days off work, get away from football and think about how they wanted to end their 2018 NRL season.

For Dufty, that two-day break totally reignited the fire in his belly.

“I know it really helped me because I was able to freshen up and get my head right, get my body right. It was what I needed,” he said.


698174_640x360_large_20180911125857.jpg

Will Graham return?

0:44
“(McGregor) gave us a (verbal) beating but then he said we should all be excited, we’re playing finals footy. He said go away and get yourself right for the game against Newcastle.

“It was good to just spend time with friends and family, get away from footy and get away from all the media. I didn’t really use my phone, I just got away.

“It was good to get that balance because it’s just been footy for 25 weeks and I know I needed that rest.”

Dufty’s condition would best be diagnosed as the dreaded second year syndrome — an affliction suffered during the second season of a young sports star’s career.

His form was beginning to drop, the team was struggling, and there was plenty of negative press starting to seep into Wollongong.

He says the decision to approach McGregor for a heart-to-heart was the best he could have made.

“Mary is pretty open and pretty easy to talk to as a coach,” he said.

“He’s played first grade so he’s been through all the season and all the different feelings. Having him there to talk to was all I needed.”

Dufty says the difference in attitude around the playing group was stark when they returned for the captain’s run ahead of Round 25.

They went up to Newcastle and beat the Knights, booking an elimination final showdown with Brisbane.

Then they stunned the NRL by causing a boilover and beating the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Now they look ahead to South Sydney this weekend.

The turning point — at least for their young fullback — was those two days away from the game.

“I got that energy back that I had when I started playing at the start of the year, when I was bouncing around and playing footy how I usually do,” Dufty said.

“The last couple of weeks my form has been back and I’ve been happy ... I’m throwing the ball more, making my tackles and doing all that good stuff.

“I got into training before the Knights game and we were going on a trip with the boys and everyone was in a good mood.

“I had that drive again, which is what had been missing.

“That plane trip after the Brisbane trip was probably the happiest I’ve been in my whole time in first grade.

“Singing the song after the game you could see how happy everyone was, how happy the coaching staff was. That feeling won’t be forgotten any time soon.”


https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...k/news-story/5d453d3af98f6edac4b3c3fd82683db1
 
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Drag Queen

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getsmarty said:
jason-nightingale_dennistutty.jpg



PLAYERS' CHAMPION


Jason Nightingale receives Dennis Tutty Award
Author
Margie McDonald Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Tue 11 Sep 2018, 09:20 PM

Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga has created history by becoming the youngest winner of the RLPA Players' Champion.

The 20-year-old Knights star received the peer-voted award at the Players' Champion presentation at Doltone House in Sydney on Tuesday night and it signals the changing of the guard in rugby league, according to RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast.

With premiership-winners and 300-game players of the calibre of Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Luke Lewis, Sam Thaiday and Chris Heighington leaving the game, the younger brigade led by the likes of Ponga, Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary are stepping up.

The award began in 2004 to recognise excellence both on and off the field.

It's been quite a season for Newcastle's goal-kicking fullback.

In his 20 appearances for his new club, the former Cowboy produced six tries, 11 try assists, 12 line breaks and 140 tackle breaks. He also ran an average of 142 metres per game.

Those kind of statistics earned him a maiden Holden State of Origin series call-up for Queensland, playing game two off the bench and producing an eye-catching display.

pongak-1180617-gp-04.jpg

Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga. :copyright:Gregg Porteous/NRL Photos
But his emergence alongside other rising talent comes at a poignant time in the NRL.

"We have witnessed somewhat of a changing of the guard in 2018, with the emergence of young stars with plenty of character and a number of the game’s longest servants retiring," Prendergast said.

Ponga edged out a few other youngs stars from the list of finalists that included Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster, 23, Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 25, Sharks flyer Valentine Holmes, 23, and Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, 27.

Previous winners include James Tedesco (2017), Jason Taumalolo (2016), Danny Buderus (2004) and Johnathan Thurston (2005, 2013-15). Thurston always said that in his list of awards won, he considered the RLPA trophy "the highest individual accolade a player can receive".

"It's incredible that at such a young age, Kalyn has already gained the recognition from his fellow players as the best performer in 2018," Prendergast said.

"Despite the Knights not making it through to the finals this season, Kalyn continued to put in dominant performances throughout in his first-year at the club.

"The RLPA membership have had their say and for a 20-year-old to be voted the best by his peers, it just shows what a prestigious talent the Newcastle custodian is.

the-players-13-dream-team---2560x1440.jpg

"On behalf of the RLPA, I want to congratulate Kalyn and all other award recipients at tonight’s event."

The RLPA provided more than 500 contracted NRL players with a list of 64 players (four from each club) in contention for the established Players' Champion award and the recently introduced Players' 13 Dream Team.

The players voted for their champion picks on a 3-2-1 system based on their performance across the entire 2018 season.

Players were unable to vote for their teammates, while no points were deducted for serving suspensions.

jason-nightingale.jpg

St George Illawarra Dragons star Jason Nightingale received the Dennis Tutty Award for 2018, recognising his contribution in the player wellbeing and education space.

Tutty, a former Balmain, Penrith and Australian player, was on hand to present Nightingale with the honour.


Australian Jillaroos star and captain of the Sydney Roosters WNRL side, Simaima Taufa, was recognised as the Elite Women’s Player of the Year for her strong World Cup campaign.


North Queensland powerhouse Jason Taumalolo continued the rise of Tonga in the international arena, edging out finalists from Australia, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea to be named Representative Player of the Year.


Perhaps one of the hottest contested awards of the night was Rookie of the Year, with Sydney Roosters hitman Victor Radley emerging with the most votes from his peers, ahead of Jamayne Isaako (Broncos), AJ Brimson (Titans), Rhyse Martin (Bulldogs) and Jesse Ramien (Sharks).



The Players' Champion: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)

The Players' 13 Dream Team: Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights), Valentine Holmes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters), Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers), Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos), Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Andrew Fifita (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm), Viliame Kikau (Penrith Panthers), Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons), Jake Trbojevic (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)

Rookie of the Year: Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)

Dennis Tutty Award: Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Representative Player of the Year: Jason Taumalolo (Tonga)

Elite Women's Player of the Year: Simaima Taufa (Australian Jillaroos)

The '300 Club': Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys), Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos), John Sutton (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)

Indigenous Leadership & Excellence: Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)


Pasifika Leadership & Excellence: Jason Nightingale (St George Illawarra Dragons)

NRL Academic Player of the Year: Dale Copley (Gold Coast Titans)

Women's Academic Player of the Year: Kody House (Brisbane Broncos)

NRL Academic Team of the Year: Aiden Tolman (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Isaac Liu (Sydney Roosters), Jason Bukuya (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Dunamis Lui (Canberra Raiders), Simon Mannering (New Zealand Warriors), Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys), David Gower (Parramatta Eels), Korbin Sims (Brisbane Broncos), Ryley Jacks (Melbourne Storm), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Euan Aitken (St George Illawarra Dragons), Dale Copley (Gold Coast Titans), Kody House (Brisbane Broncos)



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/11/jason-nightingale-receives-dennis-tutty-award/
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getsmarty

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nrlw_wk2_bel_landscape.png


TEAM LISTS


Behind enemy lines: NRLW Round 2
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Thu 13 Sep 2018, 11:01 AM

New Zealand Warriors have named their side in this weekend's second-round NRL women's premiership clash against Dragons at ANZ Stadium. Front rower Annetta Nuuausala has been ruled out for this week.


Venue:ANZ Stadium

Team Lists
Backs
  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Sam Bremner
    1

    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Rikeya Horne
    2

    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Langi Veainu
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jessica Sergis
    3

    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Shontelle Woodman
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Honey Hireme
    4

    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Onjeurlina Leiataua
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Shakiah Tungai
    5

    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Hilda Mariu
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Keeley Davis
    6

    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Laura Mariu
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
    7

    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Georgia Hale
Forwards
  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Oneata Schwalger
    8

    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Crystal Tamarua
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Anneka Stephens
    9

    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Krystal Rota
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Asoiva Karpani
    10

    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Aieshaleigh Smalley
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps
    11

    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Tanika-Jazz Noble
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Talesha Quinn
    12

    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Alice Vailea
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Annette Brander
    13

    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Luisa Gago
Interchange
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Holli Wheeler
    14

    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sarina Clark
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Hannah Southwell
    15

    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Lorina Papali'i
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Teina Clark
    16

    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Amber Kani
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Melanie Howard
    17

    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Kahurangi Peters
Reserves
  • Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Asipau Mafi
    18

    Reserve for Warriors is number 18 Masuisuimatamaalii Tauaua-Pauaraisa
  • Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Kate Haren
    19 20

    Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Raquel Anderson-Pitman
  • Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Talia Atfield
    20 21

    Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Lisa Edwards
  • Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Josie Strong
    22 24

    Reserve for Warriors is number 24 Va'anessa Molia-Fraser
Dragons Ins
  • Josie Strong
  • Kate Haren
  • Talesha Quinn
  • Talia Atfield
Ins
Warriors Ins
  • Amber Kani
  • Crystal Tamarua
  • Lisa Edwards
  • Raquel Anderson-Pitman
  • Va'anessa Molia-Fraser
Dragons Outs

Outs
Warriors Ins
  • Annetta Nuuausala


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/13/behind-enemy-lines-nrlw-round-2/
 
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Why Kiwi superstar chose the Dragons
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Thu 13 Sep 2018, 01:04 PM

As she prepares to line up against her Kiwi Ferns teammates in the Warriors side on Saturday, Honey Hireme admits the 30-year journey from the Putaruru Dragons to the St George Illawarra Dragons was something she could never have envisaged.

When Hireme began playing league as a seven-year-old in Waikato in 1988, the Warriors didn't exist, St George and Illawarra were separate clubs and the first proposal for a professional women's competiton was decades away.

After topping the try-scoring ladder with 13 tries in four matches for New Zealand during last year's World Cup, Hireme thought she'd achieved all the code had to offer and was planning to retire but the establishment of the Holden NRL Women's Premiership changed her mind.

Most assumed the 37-year-old would be one of the first signings for the Warriors but she chose to join the Dragons to experience playing for a traditional NRL club alongside Jillaroos stars Sam Bremner, Kezie Apps and Talesha Quinn.

"Obviously, I had grown up and played all my rugby league in New Zealand so it was just a really good opportunity to come over here," Hireme said.

"Rugby league is the No.1 sport here so I thought it would be good to experience how you guys do it in Australia."

Wednesdays Our Way - Round 2

With a squad made up mostly of local talent and others with a connection to the Illawarra competition, Dragons coach Daniel Lacey viewed Hireme as a mentor for his young players as well as a strike weapon in the backline.

She played centre in last Sunday's 30-4 loss to Brisbane and despite being on the losing team managed a game-high 11 tackle breaks, while carrying the ball for 121 metres and creating a line-break assist for 21-year-old winger Shakiah Tungai.

Lacey is also considering playing Hireme at fullback and moving captain Sam Bremner into the halves at some stage during Saturday's match against the Warriors at ANZ Stadium or in the following weekend's clash with Sydney Roosters.

"It is the good thing about rugby league is that it creates an environment where you can throw a whole bunch of random people together and they just come together to play the game we love," Hireme said. "The comradery is really important and we are starting to build a culture in our team."

Apps revealed that much of the game plan for the Jillaroos in last year's World Cup final against the Kiwi Ferns focused on trying to shut down Hireme in attack.

"She scored against us [twice] so we didn't do that very well," Apps said. "She was scoring tries right, left and centre during the World Cup so I'm glad she is on our team now.

"Honey brings a lot of knowledge and experience to the team. She is just a true leader with everything she does and it is exciting to play with her."

NRLW Dragons v Warriors - Round 2

Hireme said she was also enjoying the experience of playing alongside some of her international opponents, while she is looking forward to taking on the Warriors.

"I have been playing against the Jillaroos for the last 15 years so to be in a team alongside them is great," she said. "I did have a couple of other offers but Lacey was just real up front with me from the get go.

"I think he has similar values to me, he was real supportive and the girls are great. They are professional and they have welcomed me with open arms.

"I suppose it is going to be a bit different playing against the Warriors but I did grow up in a small town in New Zealand and played for the Putaruru Dragons so there is a connection there."



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/13/why-kiwi-superstar-chose-the-dragons/
 
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Dragons 2018: Pereira making every single moment count
AFL
r0_0_4374_2770_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

GOOD SHOT: Dragons winger Jordan Pereira is mobbed by teammates after his hit on Knights forward Mitch Barnett in round 25. Picture: AAP

THE tackle that turned a season? It remains to be seen, but if the Dragons can continue their remarkable finals resurgence against the Rabbitohs this week, Jordan Pereira's shot on Knights forward Mitch Barnett a fortnight ago will look very much that way.

At the very least it turned that match and prevented the Dragons from heading into the finals on the back their seventh loss in their final nine matches.

With the Knights leading 10-8 and looking to extend, and Dragons seemingly shot for numbers on their left edge, Barnett took a pass from the inside and looked for a quick tip on only to be crunched by Pereira.

Nene Macdonald and Matt Dufty scored in the aftermath before Pereira sealed the deal with a late try of his own. A week – and a 30-point drubbing of Brisbane – later, it's looking more and more like a sliding doors moment.

“That moment I looked up, it was fifth and final [tackle] and Mitchell Pearce had the ball,” Pereira recalls.

“When it's the last tackle and I've got Shaun Kenny-Dowall, who's a massive kick target in front of me, it's always going to be anyone's game plan to go to him. I had to have that in the back of my mind.

“I was fairly deep in the in-goal to cover that and then I saw [Pearce] take it close to the line so if it was going to be a kick it was going to be a grubber so I angled towards that.

“I saw Tim [Lafai] got caught on a lead [runner] and that left me to take two men so I just had to jam and try and cut it off early.

“If it was a split-second earlier he probably would've got that pass away and Kenny-Dowall would've been over in the corner but it was just fortunate timing.”

He was mobbed by teammates in the aftermath, but the 25-year-old wasn't immediately aware he'd made such a big play, saying his thoughts were elsewhere.

“I knew it was last tackle and they were in the corner so it's my job, next play I've got to take that carry and get the boys on the front foot and try and speed the game up,” he said.

“My first thought was to get back onside because we'll be playing the ball and to run as hard as I could because I knew they'd be coming in hot to smash me back.”

Now though, a season-turner?

"I guess when things go your way and you see smiles and you see cohesion start to lift it's only natural that morale goes with it and I think we took it into the next game,” he said.

It's a keystone moment in what's been a remarkable season for a guy who learned the rules of the game playing park footy in Perth before linking with Mackay in the Queensland Cup.

Then came the call a day before last season's June 30 transfer deadline when the Dragons threw him the lifeline that saw him drive 26 hours from North Queensland to Wollongong to ink a minimum wage deal.

After spending the bulk of the season stuck behind regulars Nene Macdonald and Jason Nightingale, Pereira earned his shot in round 19 and hasn't missed a game since.

It's a hell of a ride, but not one he's over-thinking just yet.

“I'm obviously very proud of the journey that's come about but, at the end of the day, it's just football,” he said.

“I'm just trying to simplify it and not over-crowd my mind and focus. I think the positive I took out of it going through those early rounds [in reserve grade] was that I was training against the best team in the comp.

“I was only getting better and better as the year went on because they were such a tough side in the NRL and we were training against them. I feel that's what got me ready for the job at hand.

“At the time it's hard because you don't really think you'll get a go because they're going so well but you've just got to stay ready and wait for an opportunity to pop up. That's what happened and I'm still here now.”


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5643000/pereira-making-every-single-moment-count/?cs=2375
 
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Women's league legend Tarsha Gale pays Dragons special visit
AFL
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Keeley Davis is one of the Dragons who come through Tarsha Gale Cup

Dragons NRLW coach Daniel Lacey pulled in a heavy hitter as his side looks to bounce from a tough first-up loss to Brisbane, with women’s league legend Tarsha Gale addressing the squad this week

The former Bulli Eagle and inaugural NSW skipper shared some valuable wisdom with the Dragons girls ahead of their clash with the Warriors on Saturday.

“I was very fortunate to be invited by Daniel Lacey to come and talk to the girls and share a little bit about the history of women’s rugby league and a little bit about my journey,” Gale said.

“I was the little sister [of two brothers] so I had to learn the skills of rugby league if I wanted to be included. It was so lucky there was a competition down in Wollongong, the coach saw me playing touch and said come on down and I never looked back from there.

“The fact that a couple of these girls have come through the Tarsha Gale Cup is something I’m really proud of and it shows those pathways are really working.”


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5646290/gale-pays-special-visit/?cs=2375
 
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DRAGONS


Dogs drubbing changed Dragons' season: Frizell
Author
Michael Chammas Chief Reporter
Timestamp
Fri 14 Sep 2018, 01:56 PM

St George Illawarra enforcer Tyson Frizell believes the embarrassment and abuse they copped from their 38-0 drubbing at the hands of Canterbury may be the trigger that reignites their premiership dreams.

Frizell described the loss at Kogarah three weeks ago as one of the lowest points in his career, conceding the anger and vitriol from the fans after the siren would act as motivation as they head into a do-or-die showdown against South Sydney on Saturday night.

"That was a real downer. To allow people to question our integrity asking did we really want to go out there and play," Frizell said.

"We had so much to play for. We had a top-four position on the line, and to not put in a performance that respected Lance Thompson and also give Jason Nightingale a send-off he deserved was the most disappointing part.

"I didn't really notice the abuse too much during the game, but after the game I saw it. If we would have lost you can cop that on the chin, but not playing to our potential to be any sort of shot in that game was the most disappointing part. It could be the turning point. I hope it is our turning point. It's do-or-die now, so it has to be our turning point."

The Dragons have had some memorable wins at Kogarah in recent years. It's a venue that has largely been kind to them.

frizell-vs-inglis-180912_02.jpg

Tyson Frizell will come face to face with Greg Inglis on Saturday night. :copyright:Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
But on that afternoon against the Bulldogs in round 24, the fans turned on them.

"There's a cage that you walk under when you walk into the sheds," Frizell said.

"Usually it's rattled because they are cheering you on. But it was getting smashed for all the wrong reasons. The abuse was crazy. As much as you want to block it out, you can't. it's everywhere. In the media, in the papers and on social media. We were embarrassed. It was really hard to cop that day. We were very disappointed in ourselves. It took a couple of days to get over.

"You wear a lot of it. People on the outside are quick to criticise when you're not doing too well but are quick to give you a pat on the back when you're winning. That's where your mental state comes into it, not trying to ride the emotion of it each week too hard. You have to enjoy the wins and cop the losses but you have to move on really quickly. There's a game each week and if you hold on to it too much that's when your mental state can really rattle you."

Very little was said amongst the players in the sheds after the game. There was no spray. There was no one pointing the finger.

Rabbitohs v Dragons - Semi-Final

Each of those 17 players knew within themselves that they didn't do right by the club or their fans and have vowed never to feel that way again.

"It was silence," Frizell said.

"Sometimes talking too much can mask what really needs to be done. More action needs to take place. You can talk about what we did wrong or what we can do, but sometimes just holding on to it and realising that feeling and keeping it inside knowing you never want to feel like that again. That's the best thing for your preparation to make sure it never happens again."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/14/dogs-drubbing-changed-dragons-season-frizell/
 
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FEATURE


The most important phone call of McInnes' career
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Fri 14 Sep 2018, 04:49 PM

A phone call from Cameron McInnes to Paul McGregor to say he no longer wanted to join St George Illawarra has indirectly led to the proud South Sydney junior captaining the Dragons against the club where he was touted as a future skipper.

McInnes, who will share the captaincy duties with Tyson Frizell in Saturday night's sudden-death semi-final against the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium, had been poised to sign with St George Illawarra for the 2016 season but Souths persuaded him to stay after Issac Luke's shock departure for the Warriors.

It was then that McInnes made what may be the most important phone call of his career, and one that ensured the door was still open at the Dragons when he decided to leave the Rabbitohs the following year.

"I just phoned Mary out of respect because I had only met him once or twice but he is one of the most genuine people I had ever met and he would do anything for anybody," McInnes said.

"I just wanted to call him out of respect and he understood my decision fully and he was really good about it. Then 12 months later I had the opportunity to speak to him again and he was as supportive of me as he was the year before."

McGregor: Souths drama won't change Dragons' focus

After deciding to stay at Souths, he shared the hooking role with Damien Cook in 2016 but the club's decision to sign Robbie Farah at the end of that season prompted the former Junior Kangaroos and Rabbitohs under 20s captain to question his future at Redfern.

He again picked up the phone to McGregor and asked if there was an opportunity in 2017.

The Dragons had been in a contractual stand-off with hooker Mitch Rein and Heath L'Estrange was retiring so McGregor approached the club's director of pathways Ian Millward.

"When we were first looking at signing Cam, we had Mitch and we looked at bringing another hooker in," McGregor said.

"He had done some really good things in under 20s and as a junior, and I just thought he was a special player.

"Then Issac went to the Warriors and he rang me, and said 'I want to stay. It's my junior club'. I appreciated that and I understood. If someone comes through as a junior and there is opportunity at that club you should stay there so I was happy for him to stay there. It is the same with our juniors.

"At the end of 2016, Cam rang me again and said, 'is there a chance I could come now?' The club and Mitch had decided to go different ways and Robbie had turned up at Souths.

"He had been happy to take on Cookie but Souths had decided to bring in a third hooker, who was an experienced one, so Cam said obviously the pathway there was blocked and he wanted to know if there was a pathway for him at our club."

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Cameron McInnes playing for South Sydney in 2016. :copyright:Robb Cox/NRL Photos
Coincidentally, Cook - an Illawarra junior - had been in the Dragons' system and he played for the club in 2012 and 2013 before moving to Canterbury and then joining South Sydney in 2016 after Luke left.

Cook started six matches at hooker in 2016 and 10 last year but he has emerged as arguably the most improved player in the game this season and edged McInnes for the NSW No.9 jersey.

"Cam's a really good player, I rate him very highly, especially training alongside him as well, I know how hard he works," Cook said of his friendly rivalry with McInnes.

"We got along really well when he was here [at Souths] and we still do.

"I managed to get the Origin jersey this year but it's sudden-death footy now and being an ex-Bunny, he'll be looking to get the job done over his old team as well. It's always exciting playing against your old team."

McInnes insists he has now moved on and points out Saturday night's semi-final will be his 50th Telstra Premiership appearance for St George Illawarra, whereas he played 39 for the Rabbitohs.

"I am very thankful to Souths for giving me my start and also for allowing me to move on but I will always be in debt to Mary and the Dragons for taking a punt on me," McInnes said.

"I love the club, I am grateful for the opportunity they have given me and the belief that Mary showed in me from the first time I spoke to him made me feel really good. I have so much respect for Mary and I always want to play as hard as I can and do the job for the Dragons each week."

With Gareth Widdop out for the season after disclocating his shoulder in last Sunday's 48-18 elimination final defeat of Brisbane, McInnes and Frizell will share the captaincy role as they did when the English playmaker was absent for the previous three matches.

McInnes, who topped Marist College Pagewood in the 2011 HSC for biology, business studies and advanced English, while attaining Band 6 results for business studies and personal development, health and physical education, had been considered by many at Souths as a future captain.

Rabbitohs v Dragons - Semi-Final

"I remember there was some talk about that, but I was never focused on that," he said. "I was only a young kid trying to play some first-grade footy and it is no different now.

"The leadership role is something I embrace regardless of whether I am captain or not because I want to do the right thing by my team-mates. Having the 'C' next to my name, especially for such a great club, is a huge honour and I am very proud of that."

Despite only being in his second season at the Dragons, McInnes is a member of their four-man leadership group along with Widdop, Frizell and James Graham – and McGregor said he was an obvious choice for the captaincy role.

"With Cam, what you see on the field is pretty much what you see every day. He is hard working and will do anything that is needed for the team so he is easy to coach," McGregor said.

"James just does what he does anyway so he doesn’t need the C next to his name, Tyson is a leader by his inspirational stuff and Cam is a good talker who plays 80 minutes. Cam and Tyson will share the role but when Tyson is off the field Cam is the captain."


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...portant-phone-call-of-cameron-mcinnes-career/
 
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WOMEN'S RUGBY LEAGUE


24-hour warning: NRLW Round 2 v Warriors
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Fri 14 Sep 2018, 05:10 PM

St George Illawarra coach Daniel Lacey has trimmed the Dragons' squad ahead of their Round 2 Women's Premiership clash against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday, September 15 at ANZ Stadium.

Eva Karpani has been omitted from the front row, with Holli Wheeler promoted to the starting team in her place.

Josie Strong is the other player to drop out of Lacey's squad ahead of the season-defining clash against the Warriors.

Women's Premiership squad for Round 2 v Warriors:

1. Sam Bremner (c) – sponsored by Stonemasons & Landscapers (since 1970)
2. Rikeya Horne – sponsored by University of Wollongong
3. Jessica Sergis – sponsored by Powerade
4. Honey Hireme – sponsored by My Muscle Chef
5. Shakiah Tungai
6. Keeley Davis – sponsored by Dincel
7. Raecene McGregor – sponsored by Wollongong Diagnostics
8. Oneata Schwalger
9. Anneka Stephens
14. Holli Wheeler
11. Kezie Apps – sponsored by Kingsgrove Sports Centre
12. Talesha Quinn – sponsored by Anytime Fitness
13. Annette Brander – sponsored by EFEX

Interchange:
15. Hannah Southwell
16. Teina Clark
17. Melanie Howard
18. Asipau Mafi
19. Kate Haren
20. Talia Atfield – sponsored by Baimed Performance


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/09/14/24-hour-warning-nrlw-round-2-v-warriors/
 
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