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Frizell's return set to pay dividends for Red V

TruSaint

Referee
Messages
20,717
After an eight-game layoff, St George-Illawarra forward Tyson Frizell's return to the NRL has been a welcomed boost for the Dragons leading into the pointy end of the season.

In what has been an injury-wretched season for the 22-year-old, foot and syndesmosis injuries restricted him to just 12 games in his first season at the club.

Frizell denied that his early-year move to the front-row hindered his health, but admitted he shouldn't have played through some injuries.

"I was a bit unlucky there with my injuries towards the start of the season which I played on with, which probably was the wrong thing to do in retrospect, and that sort of took its toll on me," Frizell tells NRL.com.

With three must-win games remaining and his injury concerns behind him, he is now focused on going deep into September after a solid outing against Canberra last weekend.

"Now that I'm back in the team though we have to come into each week thinking that we need to win every game from here on in," he said.

"A few results went our way with the Cowboys and Warriors losing [last weekend] but if we win our final three games then the rest will look after itself."

While it came to breaking a 15-year hoodoo in the nation's capital for the Red V to keep their season alive, they are still precariously placed at 11th on 24 points.

The Warriors, Cowboys and Eels sit ahead on 26 points, as well as the Broncos faring better on point's differential, the Dragons will be relieved in knowing they have the relatively easiest draw compared to others vying for a finals berth - a fate they were unlikely to achieve midway through the season.

Frizell credit the honesty of coach Paul 'Mary' McGregor to their gradual improvement.

"[Mary] has tried to bring the best out of everyone and make us play together as a team. I think it is fair to say that he puts everyone on notice which has... worked out well on the field," he said.

"He gives you confidence. When you do the wrong thing he'll be sure to tell you and if you're doing the right thing then he'll praise you. He has giving me a bit more direction in what I need to work on and on the other things I'm doing well too."

With the Gold Coast Titans to come on Sunday afternoon, Frizell believes it is just a matter of playing to their strengths especially after their shocking performance against Penrith a fortnight ago.

The Titans may have bid adieu to their finals chances after losing to Manly last weekend, but will certainly pose a threat considering the Red V snuck away with a one point win the last time they met in Round 15.

"We will be busting their balls to get the two points this weekend," Frizell said. "They have been good in patches and we have been in the same boat as them really. We're just focusing on ourselves and what we need to do right."

http://www.nrl.com/frizells-return-...r-red-v/tabid/10874/newsid/81171/default.aspx
 

bottle

Coach
Messages
14,126
Watched the replay of the game tonight. With limited time he was our most effective forward. Stockwell very good in his time on as well.
I am biased though, because I have a huge opinion of Friz, so maybe I just look for the positives. He was carving and making metres through the middle consistently.
 

hardbaby

Coach
Messages
17,024
Friz is one of the guys we really need to come on. He has enormous potential. Creagh has won me as a prop. Cooper has been a revelation. JDB has really come of age. Merrin is great. Ah Mau has played some good footy this year but needs to move in closer. It's not a big centre but it's a good one. One prop signing and we are looking good there. I'm more worried about the edge now.

Frizzel should play wide but has struggled defensively. Ah Mau has the same problem. Creagh is past it. I do think Thompson is leaving. It's probably one year too early for Bird.

It's a good base but if we don't sign some pigs we are f**ked.
 

pinkmoon

Juniors
Messages
834
He is nowhere near reaching it yet, and the odds are against him at St George with our coaching team, but this guy could be a NSW Origin back rower if he fulfils his potential. He should absolutely be playing in the back row as well. I noticed he had some defensive issues wide of the ruck last year, but it's nothing that a good coach can't fix. He is the closest thing i've seen to Gordon Tallis since the raging bull retired, we just have to get him angry and involved. He has a wonderful physique for running off a good player like Widdop. I hope whoever coaches our team moving forward puts some work into this guy; he could be a world beater.
 

Get2dachopper!

Juniors
Messages
1,684
He is nowhere near reaching it yet, and the odds are against him at St George with our coaching team, but this guy could be a NSW Origin back rower if he fulfils his potential. He should absolutely be playing in the back row as well. I noticed he had some defensive issues wide of the ruck last year, but it's nothing that a good coach can't fix. He is the closest thing i've seen to Gordon Tallis since the raging bull retired, we just have to get him angry and involved. He has a wonderful physique for running off a good player like Widdop. I hope whoever coaches our team moving forward puts some work into this guy; he could be a world beater.

Are you talking about friz or Thompson? Friz has played for wales, so I don't think he can play for nsw.
I agree, both are great and both should be our back rowers, maybe move Thompson on the right to stiffen the defence with friz on the left.
 

pinkmoon

Juniors
Messages
834
Are you talking about friz or Thompson? Friz has played for wales, so I don't think he can play for nsw.
I agree, both are great and both should be our back rowers, maybe move Thompson on the right to stiffen the defence with friz on the left.

I was talking about Friz. I know he has played for Wales, but Mini has played for Italy, Australia, and NSW, so I think you can change allegiances within particular time frames, although I am not certain how it works. If Fien can play for NZ, then there might as well not even be any rules :lol:
 

GT0007

Juniors
Messages
1,967
Are you talking about friz or Thompson? Friz has played for wales, so I don't think he can play for nsw.
I agree, both are great and both should be our back rowers, maybe move Thompson on the right to stiffen the defence with friz on the left.

I think the rules exempt you when playing for a 2nd tier country but don't quote me
 

watatank

Coach
Messages
14,184
Are you talking about friz or Thompson? Friz has played for wales, so I don't think he can play for nsw.
I agree, both are great and both should be our back rowers, maybe move Thompson on the right to stiffen the defence with friz on the left.

Doubt it matters. Aiden Guerra played for Italy last year and played origin this year.
 
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