Finals Week One

[Gareth67]

Unfortunately a win for us will constitute a loss less than 10 points - there’s very little chance on evidence that we could remotely be thinking about a win tomorrow - I can see a tenacious fight but broncos have class all over the park and most probable the best pack in the NRL.. hoping for a miracle but can’t see it.
What a waste of a season!

If that proves to be the case ( which I doubt ) then how will I go about receiving the money from you for the 2 Panthers / Dragons Grand Final tickets that I bought months ago , on your say so mickeylane ? ?

 

[41yearsaint]

I may have stuffed up.
Wife saw that Dragons and Doncs womens team are playing. I said im surprised your not playing for us.
No comment, pretty sure she has now put a curse on us. Not to worry, I'll be donning my lucky undies. All will be good.

 

[Gm5]

I've been very concerned that we would struggle to get a victory tomorrow but with your history and prediction, sounds like we'll sh!t it in!

Cheers .............. Go you Saints!!!!!!!!!!

Just need Possm to say the same thing and we can cement in the win

 

[ouryears]

Nope, Flegg to ISP and then to FG if they're still showing promise.

One minute you say that reserve grade is a waste of time and why would grown up men even play in reserve grade. You said you wouldn’t bother watching reserve grade. Now you say players should go from flegg to ISP and then to first grade if they are good enough. So you admit ISP .....which is reserve grade .....is a pathway for young guys into first grade. So reserve grade is not a waste of time after all, is it!!? And it’s not pathetic that adults play in this grade is it?!!

Make up your mind.

Weird, F###ing weird.

 

[Gm5]

As a kiwi I'm just stoked that the Warriors got eliminated before us. I'm gonna be copping a lot less shit now

 

[OzDragon]

That’s warriors game was eerily similar to our last month of footy. Just 0 intensity and not chancing the arm at all. Such a dissapointing end to the Warriors season.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

you mean put her on the ignore list because i have no doubt its a chick no doubt

Immaterial who it is mate ......pain in the arse if you ask me.....up to you mate Im not trying to influence your decision...I just find that these people just seem to want to bait people rather than debate or voice their opinions

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

That’s warriors game was eerily similar to our last month of footy. Just 0 intensity and not chancing the arm at all. Such a dissapointing end to the Warriors season.

I agree quick results at the start then fizzled out....not sure if RTS would have made tbat much difference....if I was Brandy Alexander and Gus I wouldnt get to smug just yet the Panthers were ordinary and The Warriors had nothing after 20 mins

 

[ViceVersa]

St George Illawarra considering playing skipper Gareth Widdop at fullback against Brisbane
September 8, 2018 7:33am
PETER BADELThe Courier-Mail

THE Dragons are considering a finals gamble with star pivot Gareth Widdop a possible starter at fullback against Brisbane in a desperate bid to reignite their season.

The Sunday Mail understands Dragons coach Paul McGregor is toying with the prospect of axing Matt Dufty and shifting Widdop to the backfield for the sudden-death finals clash at Suncorp Stadium.

Is McGregor ready to gamble on Widdop at fullback? (AAP Image/Darren England)

St George Illawarra held a closed session at Langlands Park in Brisbane on Saturday, but it can be revealed Widdop spent periods of the captain’s run training at fullback.

Widdop has played all 21 games this season in the halves, but McGregor is weighing up whether the British Test star can be a matchwinner from fullback in his return after a three-week lay-off with a shoulder injury.

McGregor has demoted Dufty before, relegating the quick-stepping custodian to the bench just a fortnight ago in the Dragons’ woeful 38-0 loss to the Bulldogs at Kogarah.

Matt Dufty could get dropped for the must-win clash.

While Widdop has limited NRL experience in the No. 1 jumper, the classy playmaker has fired for England at fullback.

During last year’s World Cup, Widdop was moved from five-eighth to fullback by England mentor Wayne Bennett, the Broncos super coach plotting the Dragons’ downfall at Suncorp.

The Bennett experiment paid handsome dividends, with Widdop playing four games in the England No. 1 jumper and piloting the Poms to the World Cup final against Australia.

Broncos' injury blues
Now McGregor is pondering a similar positional switch for Widdop in a move that would see Kurt Mann promoted from the bench to start alongside Ben Hunt in the halves.

McGregor will finalise his starting side today, but Bennett is wary of the Widdop threat, mindful of the versatile role he played during the World Cup as England pushed Australia to the wire.

“I have a lot of time for Gareth,” Bennett said. “I’ve coached him in the English team.

“I love coaching him, he is easy to coach and he always plays flat out. Gareth will play no differently.”

David Fifita faces the biggest game of his young career.

Meanwhile, Bennett has backed teenager David Fifita to handle a finals baptism after veteran back-rower Alex Glenn was ruled out with a calf injury.

There was also some concern around Corey Oates, who failed to finish training on Saturday with a calf concern, but Bennett insists the Queensland ace will back-up after his four-try heroics against Manly last week.

Fifita was only blooded in first grade three months ago but Bennett insists the 110kg brute will not be spooked by Dragons Origin stars Tyson Frizell and Tariq Sims in just his 11th NRL game.

“David has played all the major games we’ve played in the last two or three months so he won’t be out of his depth, he won’t be a liability for the team,” he said.

 

[41yearsaint]

Having someone at fullback to organise the defence, who's idea was that?
Broncs will have Boyd and Langer on Sunday.

 

[Crush]

Dropping Dufty, our most attacking weapon would be a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig call.

 

[Rodent]

Might be more about protecting Widdop's shoulder from having to defend in the line.

 

[avocado]

And 17,000 to watch the NRL 'game of the year'.

The NRL don't care about crowds. League draws a huge tv audience. That's all that matters to them.

Half empty stadia for such important matches is a terrible look for the game. Embarrassing.

 

[watatank]

I have never really been in favour of Widdop to fullback, mainly because I don't think it's viable long term but if there's ever a time to do it, it's now.

 

[rednwhites]

The NRL don't care about crowds. League draws a huge tv audience. That's all that matters to them.

Half empty stadia for such important matches is a terrible look for the game. Embarrassing.

Simple solution. Halve the cost of a ticket. Will have good audience on tv and at the ground.

 

[MilanDragon]

Unfortunately a win for us will constitute a loss less than 10 points - there’s very little chance on evidence that we could remotely be thinking about a win tomorrow - I can see a tenacious fight but broncos have class all over the park and most probable the best pack in the NRL.. hoping for a miracle but can’t see it.
What a waste of a season!

First glimmer of hope I’ve had all week is you backing against us!

 

[rednwhites]

Say it every week now but I just hope the Dragons throw the ball around a bit tomorrow and not completely put away the offload. It's the best way we can get the opposition going backward and may even up the ball game.

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Say it every week now but I just hope the Dragons throw the ball around a bit tomorrow and not completely put away the offload. It's the best way we can get the opposition going backward and may even up the ball game.

Not trying to be smart but have we used the offload since McGrexit has been in charge....I'm just trying to think of a time I witnessed one

 

[getsmarty]

MATCH PREVIEW


Broncos v Dragons: McCullough and Widdop back
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Sat 8 Sep 2018, 04:09 PM

It is 25 years since Wayne Bennett guided Brisbane to back-to-back grand final wins over St George and eight years since he took the St George Illawarra joint venture to their only premiership.

The history between the Red V and the Broncos is a rich one and the ties between the two clubs extend beyond King Wayne to Darius Boyd and Ben Hunt and the Sims brothers.

On current form you would say Brisbane are far more likely to score another premiership trophy than the Dragons in 2018, but the Red V did restore confidence with last Saturday's 24-14 win over the Knights.

The Broncos, meanwhile, jumped from eighth to sixth with Sunday's 48-16 win over Manly and their potency out wide is certain to trouble a Dragons defence which has leaked 26 points per game in the past six weeks.

The return of captain Gareth Widdop is a massive boost for the Dragons and they will be hoping the Englishman can relieve some of the stress on halfback Ben Hunt.


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Key match-up: The forward battle will be immense as the big men look to lay a platform for the playmakers. Ben Hunt has been the man under the microscope at the Dragons and his showdown with Kodi Nikorima will be critical. Nikorima is growing in confidence every week whereas Hunt's confidence has been eaten away during the past six weeks.

For the Broncos to win: Get the ball to Corey Oates. The towering left winger crossed four times against Manly to equal the club record for tries in a match and take his season tally to 18. The Dragons' backline defence is vulnerable and Oates has the pace and power to make them pay if he gets into open spaces.

Broncos v Dragons - Elimination Final

For the Dragons to win: Gareth Widdop needs to play with the flair and freedom which had Paul McGregor's men flying high only eight weeks ago. Widdop is the heartbeat of the side and if his running game and kicking are on song then the Dragons can fire a warning shot across the bow of the other finalists. If he is rusty and fails to gel with Hunt then it could be curtains.

Broncos Stat Attack: Rookie winger Jamayne Isaako has been a revelation in 2018, finishing as the competition's leading point-scorer (233) following his 20-point haul against Manly on Sunday afternoon at Suncorp Stadium. His teammate Anthony Milford comfortably chalked up the most kick metres (8462). Wayne Bennett's men are also competing their sets at 80 per cent.

Dragons Stat Attack: Despite some scratchy form heading into the finals, the Red V are still the yardstick when it comes to tackle breaks (880). Pivot Gareth Widdop has 16 try assists to his name, while hooker Cameron McInnes has made 1062 tackles.

And another thing: The rival squads opened the 2018 Telstra Premiership campaign, with the Dragons cruising to an impressive 34-12 victory at Kogarah in early March. Look for under-siege Red V halfback Ben Hunt to rise to the occasion against his former employers.


Team Lists
Backs

• Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Darius Boyd
  1
  
  Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
• Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
  2
  
  Winger for Dragons is number 2 Nene Macdonald
• Centre for Broncos is number 3 James Roberts
  3
  
  Centre for Dragons is number 3 Zac Lomax
• Centre for Broncos is number 4 Jordan Kahu
  4
  
  Centre for Dragons is number 4 Timoteo Lafai
• Winger for Broncos is number 5 Jamayne Isaako
  5
  
  Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jordan Pereira
• Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Anthony Milford
  6
  
  Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Gareth Widdop
• Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Kodi Nikorima
  7
  
  Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

• Prop for Broncos is number 8 Matthew Lodge
  8
  
  Prop for Dragons is number 8 James Graham
• Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Andrew McCullough
  9
  
  Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnes
• Prop for Broncos is number 10 Sam Thaiday
  10
  
  Prop for Dragons is number 10 Leeson Ah Mau
• 2nd Row for Broncos is number 17 David Fifita
  17 11
  
  2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
• 2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Tevita Pangai Junior
  12
  
  2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
• Lock for Broncos is number 13 Josh McGuire
  13
  
  Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack de Belin

Interchange

• Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Patrick Mago
  14
  
  Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jeremy Latimore
• Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Joe Ofahengaue
  15
  
  Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Kurt Mann
• Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Korbin Sims
  16
  
  Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
• Interchange for Broncos is number 18 Kotoni Staggs
  18 17
  
  Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua

Reserves

• Reserve for Broncos is number 19 Sam Tagataese
  19 18
  
  Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Jason Nightingale
• Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Gehamat Shibasaki
  20 21
  
  Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Hame Sele

Broncos Ins

• Andrew McCullough
• Gehamat Shibasaki
• Sam Tagataese

Ins
Dragons Ins

• Gareth Widdop
• Hame Sele
• Jason Nightingale

Broncos Outs

• Jake Turpin

Outs
Dragons Ins

• Jai Field

• Using the NRL app? See all the team lists here

Broncos: Alex Glenn (calf) is out, with David Fifita starting and Kotoni Staggs joining the bench. Troy Dargan also dropped out of the initial 21-man squad on Saturday. Andrew McCullough (concussion) returns at hooker, allowing Josh McGuire to revert to lock and Joe Ofahengaue to the bench, with Jake Turpin dropping out.

Dragons: Euan Aitken and Jacob Host dropped off the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off. Captain Gareth Widdop (elbow) returns at five-eighth, bumping Kurt Mann to the bench and Jai Field out of the squad, in the only listed change from last week. Lock Jack De Belin has been named despite sporting a moonboot on an injured ankle or foot on Tuesday. Jason Nightingale (elbow) remains in the reserves and could yet come into the 17.

Head-to-head in NRL era: Played 38; Broncos 23 wins, Dragons 15 wins
Previous result: Dragons won 34-12 in round 1 at Jubilee Oval
Points per game (regular season): Broncos 23.2 (3rd); Dragons 21.6 (7th)
Points conceded per game (regular season): Broncos 20.8 (10th); Dragons 19.7 (8th)
Televised: Live on Nine, Fox League

Craig Wing's prediction: The Broncos are on a roll. They have a big forward pack, they know their job and are strong right across the park. The Dragons have too many demons to deal with. Broncos by 20.


https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/09/02...-illawarra-dragons-elimination-final-preview/

 

[My man Gasnier]

Not trying to be smart but have we used the offload since McGrexit has been in charge....I'm just trying to think of a time I witnessed one

Yeah that explains why we're third overall this season for offloads. Can you not let your blind hatred of the coach make you visually blind watching a game?