Dragons 3 1 1s

[Valheru]

Always good to win on such a special day but we need to do something about our 2nd halves. Robbo has earnt enough trust that I believe he will time our run to the finals.

On another note, we have now played 6 of the current top 8 and we obviously can't play ourselves so that leaves one more (the raiders in 2 weeks).

3 SST
2 Cords
1 Jake

 

[Captain Apollo]

3 points: Siosiua Taukeiaho. Only played 54 minutes, but were pure quality. 20 runs for 256 metres, reportedly 6 tackle busts, 22 tackles, and a try to boot. When the team was looking a bit gassed in the second half, he soldiered on. His try also showed up James Graham when he shrugged him off.

2 points: James Tedesco. Any player that makes over 200 metres with ball in hand is always going to attract my notice, and Teddy was our second player to do it. He made 15 runs for 224 metres.

1 point: Jake Friend. Tackled himself to a standstill making 44 tackles, but made some good probing runs, kicked a great 40/20, and had a try assist to boot. Also made the tackle on Dufty which forced the turn over which lead to SST's try.

 

[Babyface O'reilly]

The SCG becomes bearable on an occasion like yesterday. Good comradery amongst both sets of fans too.

3. SST
2. Cords
1. Friend

 

[Headless Chook]

3. SST
2. Friend - we are going to miss him big time.
1. Cords

 

[Tommy Smith]

Yeah Jake is a huge loss. But knowing him as we do he'll be back at the short end of that projected timeframe on the sidelines. So I expect to see him in early August.

3. SST. We have perhaps the two best props in the game on current form. Both JWH and Tauks compliment each other brilliantly. His runs at the back end of the 2nd half won us that match.

2. Friend. The complete hookers performance. Kicking, passing, defence, courage, leadership. Unbelievable that anyone was seriously considering Ben Hunt over him for the hooking spot in Origin. What a tragedy that injury has denied him his Origin debut.

1. Cordner. A great captain's knock with his usual inspirational runs. I loved the SBWesque offload through the line.

I don't know how Teddy doesn't get a point. He was unreal again. An absolutely flawless performance and appreciated all the more when you see the dropsies of the oppositions number 1. How safe is Teddy at the back though? Perhaps I'm being numbed by his brilliance because he probably does deserve a point or two again.

 

[Valheru]

On Jake, it could have been worse but hopefully it is only 3 months and we see him round 20ish.

He is a loss but I think radley is ample cover and I look forward to him developing in the role now that we know he will be there for most of the season.

 

[horrie hastings]

3- SST, he was running freely at the end after some of the other forwards looked gassed.
2- Teddy, even with a couple of mistakes on Thursday he is definitely the best fullback playing at the moment.
1- Cords and Toups. Cords great captain knock and running game. Toups was instrumental in the first try and also showed great urgency to come up with a wayward pass from the Dragons late in the 2nd half when the Drags were looking dangerous.

 

[jiorl]

3. SST
2. Friend
1. Tupou

 

[H.H]

3 - Cordner
2 - SST
1 - Friend

Toops and teddy outstanding too