R5 eels

[getsmarty]

St George Illawarra string four wins together in a row to move into the top four

• Chris Boulous

Latest News

Making a stand: The St George Illawarra forward pack have been on song to start 2021. Pictures: ACM
This is the unheralded forward pack that has propelled the St George Illawarra Dragons into the top four after five rounds.

Paul Vaughan, Tariq Sims, Tyrell Fuimaono, Blake Lawrie, Josh Kerr, Daniel Alvaro, Andrew McCullough and Trent Merrin have all had something to prove this year. And they are doing: together as one.

No superstars, no ego. Just simple hard work and dedication.

The Red V rolled into Bankwest Stadium on Sunday night on the back of three straight wins and facing one of the best forwards packs in the competition on their home turf.

They left with the win, a unanimous victory over the blue and golds middle and most importantly respect.

Coach Anthony Griffin has instilled a hard edge into the defence that hasn't been sighted in recent times. For all the Matt Dufty, Jack Bird and Zac Lomax brilliance with ball in hand it starts without the ball.

The Dragons' edges were superb in defence as they regularly shut down the Eels, while their attack was nice and direct with Adam Clune in the No.7 jersey.

Favourites for the wooden spoon before the season began, the Dragons are now surprise members of the top four after a 4-1 start to the season.

"I don't think we're doing anything special. We're doing what we need to do if we want to be a good football side," Griffin said.

"That's probably been just a feature of the last couple of weeks. We work really hard on our defence...You have to get the basics right defensively and we did that for long periods."

Next up is a textbook danger game against the Warriors at home on Sunday. It could be easy for the Dragons to look ahead to the blockbuster Anzac Day clash with the Roosters and forget about a Roger Tuivasa-Sheck-led team who will be filthy on letting a lead slip against Manly last week.

The clash of the No.1s looms as a showcase factor to a game in which both teams will have similar game plans: high completion rates and stick to the basics.

One thing you can count on, is the Dragons front six will be up for the fight.

• Dragons v Warriors, Sunday , April 18, Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, 2pm.

https://www.theleader.com.au/story/7204624/together-as-one/

 

[getsmarty]

Eels half Brown facing NRL ban for crusher
Ed JacksonAAP
Mon, 12 April 2021 12:15PM

Parramatta's Dylan Brown is facing a suspension from the NRL for a crusher tackle. Credit: AAP
Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown could miss Saturday's NRL clash with Canberra after being charged by the NRL judiciary for a crusher tackle.

Brown will cop a one-game ban with an early plea after being charged with a grade one offence on St George Illawarra lock Tyrell Fuimaono for an incident in the first half of the Eels' 26-12 loss to the Dragons.

The 20-year-old Brown will miss two matches if he challenges the charge and loses.

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson is facing a fine after being charged with a grade one careless high tackle on Adam Clune late in Sunday's match at Bankwest Stadium.

Brown is not the only player facing a ban for a crusher tackle over the weekend with Sydney Roosters hooker Ben Marschke charged with the same offence on Cronulla winger Mawene Hiroti.

Marschke will be suspended for one game and miss Friday's clash with Melbourne if he takes an early guilty plea.


https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-league/eels-half-brown-facing-nrl-ban-for-crusher-c-2573138

 

[possm]

Something I don't think I've seen observed here yet, but I believe the 6 against being so against us is no mistake. We are gaming the 6 again rule to reset our line rather often and the referees are starting to realise this (hence the Tariq bin)

No complaints from me, for once we are the team taking advantage of new rules instead of being at the other end of it. Comes with a. Decent coaching staff who know how to teach players to walk that line as finely as possible (it's what Cam Smith did so well all his career)

I do not agree. Awarding a 'six again' does not pause the game at all and does not allow the Dragons to re-set their defensive line.

We have copped a real razzing with this 'six again' rule mainly for slowing down the ruck. I have noticed us doing any different to other sides. There must be mort to this and so, I'd love our CEO to sit down with the powers to be and have some strong discussions about it.

The NRL needs to understand that we will not be bullied. While I am at it, I am tired of our history being reported as beginning in the 1990s and that we are a joint venture club. This is untrue and must stop. The truth is that:

• The St George Club is the only rugby leagues club that holds the NRL licence and that we have an investor partner called WIN Corp. (not Illawarra Rugby Leagues Club).
• The St George Illawarra name only signifies the districts we represent. (just listen to the team song).
• St George has a long proud history in we won 11 grand finals in succession; a feat that no other rugby league club has matched and probably will never match. It is time we made this clear to the NRL and the Media. I say give all a warning that our club will sue for any mis-representation of this fact.

 

[redv13]

I do not agree. Awarding a 'six again' does not pause the game at all and does not allow the Dragons to re-set their defensive line.

We have copped a real razzing with this 'six again' rule mainly for slowing down the ruck. I have noticed us doing any different to other sides. There must be mort to this and so, I'd love our CEO to sit down with the powers to be and have some strong discussions about it.

The NRL needs to understand that we will not be bullied. While I am at it, I am tired of our history being reported as beginning in the 1990s and that we are a joint venture club. This is untrue and must stop. The truth is that:

• The St George Club is the only rugby leagues club that holds the NRL licence and that we have an investor partner called WIN Corp. (not Illawarra Rugby Leagues Club).
• The St George Illawarra name only signifies the districts we represent. (just listen to the team song).
• St George has a long proud history in we won 11 grand finals in succession; a feat that no other rugby league club has matched and probably will never match. It is time we made this clear to the NRL and the Media. I say give all a warning that our club will sue for any mis-representation of this fact.

Cmon possm let’s leave it alone and enjoy 2021. We are 4th!! Let’s keep smiling and go along with the ride

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

Im sure its mentioned during the game, but how fricken hard does Lomax hit.

Keep talking about his aerial ability and goal kicking, but defence is Copper-esq.

I agree Tru he tackled himself to a standstill .....and your right Mate his smothering ball and all front on hits are Poppa Clayish

 

[since77]

Done with Alexander... how he has a job after this halves commentary is beyond me. What a W***r.

Another one with the irrational hate of Alexander. I must have listened to a different game, he was actually highly complimentary of the way Dragons played, particularly in 2nd half.

 

[Hills Dragon]

I took my 12 year old son to the game at BankWest along with some Eels supporter friends. After all the wank that the Eels went on with before the game, my son says in front of our friends "Gee Dad, I can see why you always call this place WankFest."

 

[Gareth67]

Where in the forward pack will we play: McGuire and Jack De Belin?

In my opinion, McGuire to lock and De Belin to start on the bench. By the time De Belin is available, we should have had a good look at McGuire and make decisions accordingly.

Vaughan
McCullough
Laurie
Sims
Kerr
McGuire

Alvaro
Faamausili / Ellis / new prop
De Belin
Fuimaono / Burns

Offer JDB to the rorters in exchange for that two-bit Crichton !

However it is so good to see that - as Griffin said earlier in the season “ nobody is safe “ , that has everyone playing out of their skins which is the way the good footy teams do their job on a weekly basis .

Tremendous to see the ripe fruit is being plucked at the correct time - no wastage involved any longer . Plus the young saplings in the lower grades will still have their opportunity to shine in the sun , whether that be through injury or rep duties to the top grade players .

 

[Gareth67]

Just watched the game and wow what a great effort from the boys. They took it up another notch from last week in defence and lowered the mistakes. Also our combinations are coming along nicely.
Vaughan is killing it so far and is close to best on park each week. All the forwards are punching above their weight but I'm really impressed with Fuimaono's effort and also Kerr who's becoming our quiet achiever. Norman's kicking game is invaluable getting us upfield, his defence too has improved but I'd like to see him run a bit more. Our backs are outstanding and Rava is close to the best winger in the comp.

There is room for improvement, our discipline and errors are poor and McCullough should leave the kicking to the professionals but all that means is that we can get better with a bit more effort and challenge the top teams, I don't think anyone will be taking us lightly any more that's for sure.

I'd like Hook to ask the refs boss why we're being targeted and what we can do about it because I saw plenty of opportunities for the ref to give us restarts or penalties not least of which were 3 tackles on Clune when he kicked, 2 he was tackled in the air and another the tackler went for the leg - there was also the Gutherson shoulder charge and even though there wasn't much in it we didn't get a penalty for that either.

All round though, happy days.

Well said Kit , just on Gutherson’s hit on Clune that was totally uncalled for and as you have pointed out the refs did S.F.All about it .

The poor bloke was having one of his best games for the Dragons and at the very least deserved the referee to do his job by penalizing the culprits who took out their frustrations on the little bloke .

Until they - the refs begin to treat the lesser lights of the competition on an equal basis , as they do with the top ranking teams , then we will continue to get wrong end of the stick - unfortunately .

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Im sure its mentioned during the game, but how fricken hard does Lomax hit.

Keep talking about his aerial ability and goal kicking, but defence is Copper-esq.

That was by far his best game for us so far defensively. If he keeps this up he could easily become the best defensive centre in the comp. None of our centres have had a lot of clean ball to see what they can do yet and Ramsey is yet to really be on the end of any nice movements to see what he can do but defensively has held his own. As we develop I'm sure we will see plenty of slick attack from Lomax, Ramsey and Bird to go with their solid defence. Rava has started the season on fire in both aspects.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

My 3,2,1
3.Vaughan, was our best forward and that is what laid the platform
2.Dufty, was our creative spark. Easily top 2-3 ball playing fullbacks, maybe even number 1.
1.Lomax, rock solid in defence, his best effort yet, flawless goal kicking and starting to bend the line with his strength which is a good sign going forward and another string to his bow.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

I’m the only mug at work who selected the dragons yesterday. I’m powering up the table!

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I’m the only mug at work who selected the dragons yesterday. I’m powering up the table!

View attachment 47519

The bloody Tigers stuffed up my perfect round.

 

[Bayside Dragon]

Im sure its mentioned during the game, but how fricken hard does Lomax hit.

Keep talking about his aerial ability and goal kicking, but defence is Copper-esq.

I think he's being inspired by Rav. His defensive hits against the Eels are as good as any I've seen from a centre in recent times. Gentle is doing a great job with our edges.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I think he's being inspired by Rav. His defensive hits against the Eels are as good as any I've seen from a centre in recent times. Gentle is doing a great job with our edges.

Or maybe Hook has let him know how big he and Rava both are and to use it.

 

[Slippery Morris]

When Dufty scored the penalty try, I heard the ref say to Gutho it was a awarded and the player committed a professional foul. The ref's words. Isn't that a sin bin? Why was Brown still allowed on the field? Am I missing something?

 

[blacksafake]

When Dufty scored the penalty try, I heard the ref say to Gutho it was a awarded and the player committed a professional foul. The ref's words. Isn't that a sin bin? Why was Brown still allowed on the field? Am I missing something?

They only get binned if it’s not a penalty try.
If for instance there is a defensive player close to the ball it’s normally no try but a professional foul, then the bin is used.

 

[TruSaint]

They only get binned if it’s not a penalty try.
If for instance there is a defensive player close to the ball it’s normally no try but a professional foul, then the bin is used.

Yep,

A penalty try, is penalty enough.

 

[Gareth67]

I have not watched the full game , only the highlights reel , but that penalty try must had sent the Parramatta heathen into a frenzy .

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

The bloody Tigers stuffed up my perfect round.

Sorry FCD.

There you guys are, sipping martini’s and smoking Cuban cigars in the top 4!

Things are so bad at wt at the moment, I was thinking we might sos Mary!