gong_eagle
First Grade
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By Steve Mascord
August 08, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24143368-5001023,00.html
MANLY v MELBOURNE at Brookvale Oval, Friday 7.35pm
MANLY second rower Anthony Watmough remains a smokey to play despite having undergone knee surgery just 12 days ago. Watmough ran lightly on Wednesday, mainly in a straight line, and again last night. Melbourne's Israel Folau (ribs) and Dallas Johnson (cut head) have been cleared to play. Team manager Frank Ponissi said the nominated 17 had travelled with no standbys. Melbourne have won three of their last four against Manly. The Sea Eagles have the most offloads in the NRL with 13.1 per game, the Storm the fewest with 6.6.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v WESTS TIGERS at WIN Stadium, Friday 7.35pm
WESTS Tigers forwards Bryce Gibbs and Todd Payten are each in doubt with hamstring injuries. Both were put through fitness tests yesterday but there was no final decision and no standbys have yet been named. St George Illawarra are unchanged, with Rangi Chase to drop off a five-man bench. Wests Tigers haven't won in Wollongong since 2000. Tim Sheens' men have won five of the past six clashes with their joint venture rivals at all venues. The Dragons' air of invincibility in Wollongong has thinned this year, losing two from three.
WARRIORS v BRISBANE at Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday 5.35pm (NSW time)
SUSPENDED Justin Hodges has been replaced in the Brisbane side by Joel Moon, up off a five-man bench. Broncos utility David Stagg will not travel with his team-mates today because his wife Temika is heavily pregnant. He hopes to join them on match-day. Isaac Ah Mau has been added as the new travelling emergency. The Warriors have won five of their last seven games against Brisbane at Mt Smart. Brisbane have lost only one of their past six matches. The Aucklanders have a six-from-nine record at home this year. Last time they met, the Warriors won 24-14.
BULLDOGS v NORTH QUEENSLAND at Suncorp Stadium, Saturday 7.35pm
BULLDOGS winger Matt Utai is not certain to make his return from a knee injury. Heka Nanai is a likely replacement. North Queensland coach Ian Millward said his side was intact and Scott Bolton would be 18th man. The Bulldogs only win in their last nine games was at Suncorp, against Brisbane. These two sides are the worst in the League for metres gained and tackle-breaks, as well as tries and line breaks conceded. NQ has a good recent record against the Belmore boys, winning six of their last eight clashes. The Bulldogs average 30 points conceded per game.
CRONULLA v SOUTH SYDNEY at Toyota Stadium, Saturday 7.35pm
CRONULLA have spent the week in camp at Kiama. Coach Ricky Stuart took his nominated 17 plus Paul Stephenson, Bryan Norrie, Mitch Brown and Blake Green. Norrie was on the injured list, so his involvement suggests he might play. South Sydney coach Jason Taylor has a difficult job culling his bench after resting Shannon McPherson last weekend. Souths yesterday confirmed the signing of Penrith's fullback Rhys Wesser. I've been watching (Souths); I think it is a very promising club with a lot of talented young players,'' Wesser said.
CANBERRA v PENRITH at Canberra Stadium, Sunday 2.05pm
PENRITH halfback Luke Lewis will need a cogniscence test after suffering concussion last week. Coach Matthew Elliott is sticking with a 20 man squad for now. Canberra prop Scott Logan, originally ruled out with an ankle injury, has done some training this week and is making a late bid for inclusion. A decision will be made on Sunday morning. Michael Weyman and Neville Costigan are due to play for feeder team Souths Logan. The Panthers have not won in the capital since 2004. The Raiders are shooting for four in a row at all venues against the mountain men.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS v PARRAMATTA at Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday 3.05pm
PARRAMATTA hooker Mark Riddell could have played his last game in Australia. "He's had some trouble with a knee cartilage injury and will probably go in for surgery next week,'' coach Michael Hagan told LateMail "We don't know how long he'll be out''. Prop Fuifui MoiMoi is out with mild concussion and niggling injuries Josh Cordoba comes up off what was a six-man bench. Junior Paulo has also been added to Hagan's squad. The last four clashes between these sides have each been decided by more than 13 points. The Eels have won four of the last five against the tricolours.
GOLD COAST v NEWCASTLE at Skilled Park, Monday 7.05pm
GOLD Coast captain Scott Prince will have x-rays on his injured arm a few hours before kick-off. Coach John Cartwright wouldn't speculate on his chances of playing. "It's too early to say,'' he said. "It all depends how the x-rays go.'' The Titans have one to omit. Newcastle coach Brian Smith said all 20 of his nominated players were fit. Newcastle have played Gold Coast away eight times, winning just twice. In all matches since 1988, Newcastle won eight, Gold Coast seven with one draw. In MNF, Gold Coast have played five, won two and lost three. The Knights are 11-5-6
August 08, 2008
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24143368-5001023,00.html
MANLY v MELBOURNE at Brookvale Oval, Friday 7.35pm
MANLY second rower Anthony Watmough remains a smokey to play despite having undergone knee surgery just 12 days ago. Watmough ran lightly on Wednesday, mainly in a straight line, and again last night. Melbourne's Israel Folau (ribs) and Dallas Johnson (cut head) have been cleared to play. Team manager Frank Ponissi said the nominated 17 had travelled with no standbys. Melbourne have won three of their last four against Manly. The Sea Eagles have the most offloads in the NRL with 13.1 per game, the Storm the fewest with 6.6.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA v WESTS TIGERS at WIN Stadium, Friday 7.35pm
WESTS Tigers forwards Bryce Gibbs and Todd Payten are each in doubt with hamstring injuries. Both were put through fitness tests yesterday but there was no final decision and no standbys have yet been named. St George Illawarra are unchanged, with Rangi Chase to drop off a five-man bench. Wests Tigers haven't won in Wollongong since 2000. Tim Sheens' men have won five of the past six clashes with their joint venture rivals at all venues. The Dragons' air of invincibility in Wollongong has thinned this year, losing two from three.
WARRIORS v BRISBANE at Mt Smart Stadium, Saturday 5.35pm (NSW time)
SUSPENDED Justin Hodges has been replaced in the Brisbane side by Joel Moon, up off a five-man bench. Broncos utility David Stagg will not travel with his team-mates today because his wife Temika is heavily pregnant. He hopes to join them on match-day. Isaac Ah Mau has been added as the new travelling emergency. The Warriors have won five of their last seven games against Brisbane at Mt Smart. Brisbane have lost only one of their past six matches. The Aucklanders have a six-from-nine record at home this year. Last time they met, the Warriors won 24-14.
BULLDOGS v NORTH QUEENSLAND at Suncorp Stadium, Saturday 7.35pm
BULLDOGS winger Matt Utai is not certain to make his return from a knee injury. Heka Nanai is a likely replacement. North Queensland coach Ian Millward said his side was intact and Scott Bolton would be 18th man. The Bulldogs only win in their last nine games was at Suncorp, against Brisbane. These two sides are the worst in the League for metres gained and tackle-breaks, as well as tries and line breaks conceded. NQ has a good recent record against the Belmore boys, winning six of their last eight clashes. The Bulldogs average 30 points conceded per game.
CRONULLA v SOUTH SYDNEY at Toyota Stadium, Saturday 7.35pm
CRONULLA have spent the week in camp at Kiama. Coach Ricky Stuart took his nominated 17 plus Paul Stephenson, Bryan Norrie, Mitch Brown and Blake Green. Norrie was on the injured list, so his involvement suggests he might play. South Sydney coach Jason Taylor has a difficult job culling his bench after resting Shannon McPherson last weekend. Souths yesterday confirmed the signing of Penrith's fullback Rhys Wesser. I've been watching (Souths); I think it is a very promising club with a lot of talented young players,'' Wesser said.
CANBERRA v PENRITH at Canberra Stadium, Sunday 2.05pm
PENRITH halfback Luke Lewis will need a cogniscence test after suffering concussion last week. Coach Matthew Elliott is sticking with a 20 man squad for now. Canberra prop Scott Logan, originally ruled out with an ankle injury, has done some training this week and is making a late bid for inclusion. A decision will be made on Sunday morning. Michael Weyman and Neville Costigan are due to play for feeder team Souths Logan. The Panthers have not won in the capital since 2004. The Raiders are shooting for four in a row at all venues against the mountain men.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS v PARRAMATTA at Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday 3.05pm
PARRAMATTA hooker Mark Riddell could have played his last game in Australia. "He's had some trouble with a knee cartilage injury and will probably go in for surgery next week,'' coach Michael Hagan told LateMail "We don't know how long he'll be out''. Prop Fuifui MoiMoi is out with mild concussion and niggling injuries Josh Cordoba comes up off what was a six-man bench. Junior Paulo has also been added to Hagan's squad. The last four clashes between these sides have each been decided by more than 13 points. The Eels have won four of the last five against the tricolours.
GOLD COAST v NEWCASTLE at Skilled Park, Monday 7.05pm
GOLD Coast captain Scott Prince will have x-rays on his injured arm a few hours before kick-off. Coach John Cartwright wouldn't speculate on his chances of playing. "It's too early to say,'' he said. "It all depends how the x-rays go.'' The Titans have one to omit. Newcastle coach Brian Smith said all 20 of his nominated players were fit. Newcastle have played Gold Coast away eight times, winning just twice. In all matches since 1988, Newcastle won eight, Gold Coast seven with one draw. In MNF, Gold Coast have played five, won two and lost three. The Knights are 11-5-6
