Match preview: St George Illawarra Dragons vs Brisbane Broncos
By David Middleton
5 hours ago
Channel Nine rugby league expert David Middleton previews the season opener between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos.
New outfit, old look
Englishman James Graham won't look out of place wearing the Red V in the season opener against the Broncos. After all, it's not far removed from the red and white of England and it is the same colour scheme that he wore with distinction for St Helens in 195 Super League games.
Graham joins a select group of forwards from the Old Dart to don the Red V. In the 1960s Irishman Robin Gourley and Englishman Dick Huddart were premiership winners with the Dragons, while Mike Cooper was a recent import from Warrington (69 games, 2014-16).
The burning question surrounding Graham is how much juice does he have left in the tank after 330 top grade games for St Helens and Canterbury and another 44 Tests for England and Great Britain?
There is no questioning Graham's desire and enthusiasm but his ability to be effective at 32 and after so much football could make or break the Dragons' season.
Hunt the hunted
The Dragons' other big-name import, halfback Ben Hunt, will be expecting an excess of attention from his former team-mates. Hunt was a mainstay for the Broncos for almost a decade, figuring in 187 top grade games before his big-money move in the off-season.
The Dragons are counting on Hunt to forge a powerful halves partnership with skipper Gareth Widdop and ensure that the team's attacking game can achieve a new level of consistency in 2018. The Dragons ‘ attacking record improved in 2017 but the gap between their best and worst performances proved alarmingly wide.
Broncos question marks
It seems that the Broncos will take some time to produce their best football in 2018.
Off-season recruit Jack Bird is a week or two away from an all-clear to play after shoulder surgery; hooker Andrew McCullough is on the comeback from ACL surgery while nagging hamstring trouble continued to dog fullback Darius Boyd through the off-season.
Kiwi international Jordan Kahu spent minimal time in the centres last season with James Roberts and Tautau Moga locking down both positions for almost the entire campaign but will play on the left until Bird is ready to resume.
Quirky hat-trick beckons for Kahu
Former Parramatta fullback Brett Hodgson performed a neat trick in 2001 when he scored the first and last tries of the premiership season but Brisbane's Jordan Kahu could outstrip him for quirkiness if he manages to score the first try this Thursday night.
It would mean that the 27-year-old Kiwi would have scored the opening try of the season three years in a row. Kahu crossed first in the 2016 season opener for the Broncos against the Eels at Pirtek Stadium and he did the same last year for Brisbane against Cronulla at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
The hoodoo
The Broncos have had the measure of the Dragons over a lengthy period, managing 12 victories from the past 13 encounters.
Several Brisbane players boast imposing win-loss records against the Red V, including Josh McGuire (10/11) and Matt Gillett (11/13), while the opposite applies for long-term Dragons' players against the Broncos, such as winger Jason Nightingale (4/16) and prop Leeson Ah Mau (2/11).
An exception to the rule is Broncos fullback Darius Boyd, whose winning record against St George Illawarra stands at a meagre 31 per cent (4/13).
The Bennett record
Until the past few seasons, supercoach Wayne Bennett boasted a disastrous record in this contest.
It has improved on the strength of four straight victories since 2015 but from the past 19 Dragons-Broncos clashes, Bennett has finished on the winning side just six times.
His record against Paul McGregor is more favourable to the veteran mentor, with a win-loss count standing at 5-1 in Bennett ‘s favour.
All eyes on Dufty
Good judges at St George Illawarra rate diminutive fullback Matt Dufty a superstar in the making.
And if the 22-year-old can carry his try scoring prowess from the Holden Cup into the NRL, he will be something to watch.
Dufty equalled the all-time try scoring record in the now defunct national under-20s competition, with 54 tries from 65 games.
Picking a winner
Several factors favour the Dragons in this showdown, including the advantage that comes with playing before a vocal crowd at the spiritual home of the Red V.
The Dragons were fast starters last season and have added creativity in the halves and speed at the back.
The Broncos, with question marks over the fitness of Boyd and McCullough and with Bird unavailable, look to be a few weeks away from playing their best football. This is a chance for the Dragons to draw first blood.
https://wwos.nine.com.au/2018/03/08...illawarra-dragons-vs-brisbane-broncos-round-1
