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Round 14 vs Eels

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
r14_preview_3-eels-v-dragons.jpg


MATCH PREVIEW


Eels v Dragons: Matterson green light; Norman returns
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Tue 11 Aug 2020, 04:01 PM

The Eels are a couple more wins away from beginning to plan for playing in the finals as a top-four side.

If they're able to knock off the Dragons this week, they'll be at least three wins clear of fifth with only six matches remaining.

The Dragons don't want to hear anything about such talk; they need to win to keep their slim finals hopes alive.

The continued absence of Paul Vaughan due to a COVID regulations infraction doesn't help them at all.


Match: Eels v Dragons

Round 14 - Friday 14th August

7:55pm

Home Team

Eels

3rd Position


Away Team

Dragons

12th Position

Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Match broadcasters:

  • Nine Network
  • Kayo
  • Foxtel
  • Live Pass
Fan Information
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Ryan Matterson returns from concussion in the back row with Marata Niukore dropping to the bench and Andrew Davey to 18th man.

Dragons: Corey Norman has been recalled at five-eighth, shifting Ben Hunt to hooker and Cam McInnes to lock with the suspended Jackson Ford out. Tyrell Fuimaono starts in the back row following a shoulder injury to Tariq Sims. Trent Merrin is also out with Korbin Sims and Jacob Host the new faces on the pine.


Match: Eels v Dragons

Round 14 - Friday 14th August

7:55pm

Home Team

Eels


Away Team

Dragons

Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Team Lists
Backs
  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    1

    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    2

    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jordan Pereira
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
    3

    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
    4

    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
    5

    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    6

    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
    7

    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Adam Clune
Forwards
  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    8

    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    9

    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Ben Hunt
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    10

    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Josh Kerr
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
    11

    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
    12

    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tyrell Fuimaono
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan Brown
    13

    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ray Stone
    14

    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Tristan Sailor
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Marata Niukore
    15

    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Kaide Ellis
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Kane Evans
    16

    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Korbin Sims
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Oregon Kaufusi
    17

    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jacob Host
Reserves
  • Reserve for Eels is number 18 Andrew Davey
    18

    Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Brayden Wiliame
  • Reserve for Eels is number 19 Haze Dunster
    19

    Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Eddie Blacker
  • Reserve for Eels is number 20 Stefano Utoikamanu
    20

    Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Jason Saab
  • Reserve for Eels is number 21 Brad Takairangi
    21

    Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Jayden Sullivan
Eels Ins
  • Brad Takairangi
  • Haze Dunster
  • Ryan Matterson
  • Stefano Utoikamanu
Ins
Dragons Ins
  • Brayden Wiliame
  • Corey Norman
  • Eddie Blacker
  • Jacob Host
  • Jason Saab
  • Jayden Sullivan
  • Korbin Sims
Eels Outs

Outs
Dragons Ins
  • Jackson Ford
  • Tariq Sims
  • Trent Merrin
Key match-up
Clint Gutherson v Matt Dufty. Gutherson continues to impress with his all-around game while Dufty has turned a 2020 campaign that at one stage included doubts over his future in the league into a great comeback story. Both men revel in open space. Dufty, in particular, is lethal against a tiring opposition.

Stat Attack
A look at the offload stats shows one outlier – the Eels. They have completed 59 more offloads than the second-placed team (the Roosters) and a whopping 88 more than the Dragons side they will face on Friday.



Eels v Dragons
What will be the result of their clash?

Eels v Dragons What will be the result of their clash?
  • Eels 1-10
    19%
  • Eels 11+
    64%
  • Dragons 1-10
    13%
  • Dragons 11+
    4%
3,061 Votes


https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/08/10/eels-v-dragons-matterson-green-light-tariq-sims-unlikely/
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
Parramatta game will be his last’: Buzz reveals axe hovering over McGregor with board set to meet
NRL Premiership
darcie_mcdonald.jpg

  • August 11, 2020 12:45am
  • Darcie McDonald
  • Source: FOX SPORTS
a0076f584114392c871d545ba0997390

Dragons coach Paul McGregor may have just one game left with the club. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts).Source: AAP
Buzz Rothfield believes Paul McGregor will coach his last game for the Dragons this Friday when his team takes on the Eels.
Rothfield revealed on NRL 360 that McGregor’s position would be discussed at the club’s monthly board meeting on Tuesday next week.

“I think Mary’s time is up,” he said.

Round 14
“He’s won eight of his last 31 games... I think the Parramatta game will be his last game.”


782476_640x360_large_20200810191514.jpg

Mary facing Dragons exit

Dragons CEO Ryan Webb confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that McGregor’s future will be discussed at the meeting, saying it would be “negligent” to not look at it.

“We wouldn’t be doing the right thing if we didn’t raise it,” he said.

“It would be negligent of us to ignore it.

“Paul knows we will be discussing it at board level now that we’re out of contention for the finals.

“It’s not like we’re doing anything behind his back. It’s now time to have a discussion about it as a group.”

Webb also confirmed that McGregor is aware of the looming discussion.

“He’s got thoughts and feelings. I can’t just walk into the board meeting cold.”

It comes after it was revealed McGregor had lost the support of a number of senior players due to constant changes to the team’s line-up, mainly the merry-go-round of positions million-dollar man Ben Hunt has experienced this season.

“Ben Hunt started at halfback, went to the bench for a month, then went to hooker, then went to halfback, then went to five-eight. There’s no continuity there,” Rothfield said.

“Zac Lomax started the year at fullback, then went to wing, then he went to centre.”


The board discussed McGregor’s future earlier in the season when the Dragons lost to the Bulldogs in what many expected to be the end of his tenure with the club.

McGregor was spared the axe with Webb insisting the under pressure coach had full support of the board.

“When we last spoke about it after round four there was unanimous support on the board for Mary,” Webb said.

“There was no split. It was 100 per cent.

“As a group we haven’t discussed it since. The conversations will roll out this week and we’ll go from there.”


However, Rothfield reports that is not the case this time round.

“I’m told the directors are split. The Wollongong directors are supporting him but those at Kogarah aren't,” he said.

Webb has faced his fair share of challenges since joining the club in March, including the demands of the passionate supporter base who have been on McGregor’s case for years.

“To be honest I’ve had angst pretty much for the four months since I got here,” Webb said.

“Our fans and members are vocal and passionate. It dropped off for a couple of weeks but we’ve got to listen.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...g/news-story/f3fbdcb4813714b479e4bb8f488f49a2
 

denis preston

First Grade
Messages
8,157
Parramatta game will be his last’: Buzz reveals axe hovering over McGregor with board set to meet
NRL Premiership
darcie_mcdonald.jpg

  • August 11, 2020 12:45am
  • Darcie McDonald
  • Source: FOX SPORTS
a0076f584114392c871d545ba0997390

Dragons coach Paul McGregor may have just one game left with the club. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts).Source: AAP
Buzz Rothfield believes Paul McGregor will coach his last game for the Dragons this Friday when his team takes on the Eels.
Rothfield revealed on NRL 360 that McGregor’s position would be discussed at the club’s monthly board meeting on Tuesday next week.

“I think Mary’s time is up,” he said.

Round 14
“He’s won eight of his last 31 games... I think the Parramatta game will be his last game.”


782476_640x360_large_20200810191514.jpg

Mary facing Dragons exit

Dragons CEO Ryan Webb confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that McGregor’s future will be discussed at the meeting, saying it would be “negligent” to not look at it.

“We wouldn’t be doing the right thing if we didn’t raise it,” he said.

“It would be negligent of us to ignore it.

“Paul knows we will be discussing it at board level now that we’re out of contention for the finals.

“It’s not like we’re doing anything behind his back. It’s now time to have a discussion about it as a group.”

Webb also confirmed that McGregor is aware of the looming discussion.

“He’s got thoughts and feelings. I can’t just walk into the board meeting cold.”

It comes after it was revealed McGregor had lost the support of a number of senior players due to constant changes to the team’s line-up, mainly the merry-go-round of positions million-dollar man Ben Hunt has experienced this season.

“Ben Hunt started at halfback, went to the bench for a month, then went to hooker, then went to halfback, then went to five-eight. There’s no continuity there,” Rothfield said.

“Zac Lomax started the year at fullback, then went to wing, then he went to centre.”


The board discussed McGregor’s future earlier in the season when the Dragons lost to the Bulldogs in what many expected to be the end of his tenure with the club.

McGregor was spared the axe with Webb insisting the under pressure coach had full support of the board.

“When we last spoke about it after round four there was unanimous support on the board for Mary,” Webb said.

“There was no split. It was 100 per cent.

“As a group we haven’t discussed it since. The conversations will roll out this week and we’ll go from there.”


However, Rothfield reports that is not the case this time round.

“I’m told the directors are split. The Wollongong directors are supporting him but those at Kogarah aren't,” he said.

Webb has faced his fair share of challenges since joining the club in March, including the demands of the passionate supporter base who have been on McGregor’s case for years.

“To be honest I’ve had angst pretty much for the four months since I got here,” Webb said.

“Our fans and members are vocal and passionate. It dropped off for a couple of weeks but we’ve got to listen.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...g/news-story/f3fbdcb4813714b479e4bb8f488f49a2

You know,this article only touches on Mcfailure's fups.We all here could go with much more detail and the 7 years etc, one semi win.losing juniors, no player development ( who improves under him ) and the abysmal board BUT at least it is the first step with him gone. I also really think it would be great PR with the supporters by NOT installing Young as interim coach , this would show the Board is serious in culture & corporate change .
 

Forbes Creek Dragons

First Grade
Messages
5,078
Parramatta game will be his last’: Buzz reveals axe hovering over McGregor with board set to meet
NRL Premiership
darcie_mcdonald.jpg

  • August 11, 2020 12:45am
  • Darcie McDonald
  • Source: FOX SPORTS
a0076f584114392c871d545ba0997390

Dragons coach Paul McGregor may have just one game left with the club. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts).Source: AAP
Buzz Rothfield believes Paul McGregor will coach his last game for the Dragons this Friday when his team takes on the Eels.
Rothfield revealed on NRL 360 that McGregor’s position would be discussed at the club’s monthly board meeting on Tuesday next week.

“I think Mary’s time is up,” he said.

Round 14
“He’s won eight of his last 31 games... I think the Parramatta game will be his last game.”


782476_640x360_large_20200810191514.jpg

Mary facing Dragons exit

Dragons CEO Ryan Webb confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that McGregor’s future will be discussed at the meeting, saying it would be “negligent” to not look at it.

“We wouldn’t be doing the right thing if we didn’t raise it,” he said.

“It would be negligent of us to ignore it.

“Paul knows we will be discussing it at board level now that we’re out of contention for the finals.

“It’s not like we’re doing anything behind his back. It’s now time to have a discussion about it as a group.”

Webb also confirmed that McGregor is aware of the looming discussion.

“He’s got thoughts and feelings. I can’t just walk into the board meeting cold.”

It comes after it was revealed McGregor had lost the support of a number of senior players due to constant changes to the team’s line-up, mainly the merry-go-round of positions million-dollar man Ben Hunt has experienced this season.

“Ben Hunt started at halfback, went to the bench for a month, then went to hooker, then went to halfback, then went to five-eight. There’s no continuity there,” Rothfield said.

“Zac Lomax started the year at fullback, then went to wing, then he went to centre.”


The board discussed McGregor’s future earlier in the season when the Dragons lost to the Bulldogs in what many expected to be the end of his tenure with the club.

McGregor was spared the axe with Webb insisting the under pressure coach had full support of the board.

“When we last spoke about it after round four there was unanimous support on the board for Mary,” Webb said.

“There was no split. It was 100 per cent.

“As a group we haven’t discussed it since. The conversations will roll out this week and we’ll go from there.”


However, Rothfield reports that is not the case this time round.

“I’m told the directors are split. The Wollongong directors are supporting him but those at Kogarah aren't,” he said.

Webb has faced his fair share of challenges since joining the club in March, including the demands of the passionate supporter base who have been on McGregor’s case for years.

“To be honest I’ve had angst pretty much for the four months since I got here,” Webb said.

“Our fans and members are vocal and passionate. It dropped off for a couple of weeks but we’ve got to listen.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...g/news-story/f3fbdcb4813714b479e4bb8f488f49a2
If it wasn’t from Buzz I’d believe it. He doesn’t seem to have any sources other than stating how many games Mary has lost. We all know that anyway but he is yet to be sacked. I’m not getting my hopes up. Don’t want to be disappointed. I still think seeing out the season is the best option but announcing it now.
 

brissiedragon

Juniors
Messages
398
r14_preview_3-eels-v-dragons.jpg


MATCH PREVIEW


Eels v Dragons: Matterson green light; Norman returns
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Tue 11 Aug 2020, 04:01 PM

The Eels are a couple more wins away from beginning to plan for playing in the finals as a top-four side.

If they're able to knock off the Dragons this week, they'll be at least three wins clear of fifth with only six matches remaining.

The Dragons don't want to hear anything about such talk; they need to win to keep their slim finals hopes alive.

The continued absence of Paul Vaughan due to a COVID regulations infraction doesn't help them at all.


Match: Eels v Dragons

Round 14 - Friday 14th August

7:55pm

Home Team

Eels

3rd Position


Away Team

Dragons

12th Position

Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Match broadcasters:

  • Nine Network
  • Kayo
  • Foxtel
  • Live Pass
Fan Information
The Rundown
Team news
Eels: Ryan Matterson returns from concussion in the back row with Marata Niukore dropping to the bench and Andrew Davey to 18th man.

Dragons: Corey Norman has been recalled at five-eighth, shifting Ben Hunt to hooker and Cam McInnes to lock with the suspended Jackson Ford out. Tyrell Fuimaono starts in the back row following a shoulder injury to Tariq Sims. Trent Merrin is also out with Korbin Sims and Jacob Host the new faces on the pine.


Match: Eels v Dragons

Round 14 - Friday 14th August

7:55pm

Home Team

Eels


Away Team

Dragons

Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney

Team Lists
Backs
  • Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
    1

    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
  • Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
    2

    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jordan Pereira
  • Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
    3

    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
  • Centre for Eels is number 4 Waqa Blake
    4

    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
  • Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
    5

    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
  • Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Dylan Brown
    6

    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman
  • Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses
    7

    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Adam Clune
Forwards
  • Prop for Eels is number 8 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
    8

    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
  • Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
    9

    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Ben Hunt
  • Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
    10

    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Josh Kerr
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
    11

    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Ryan Matterson
    12

    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tyrell Fuimaono
  • Lock for Eels is number 13 Nathan Brown
    13

    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Cameron McInnes
Interchange
  • Interchange for Eels is number 14 Ray Stone
    14

    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Tristan Sailor
  • Interchange for Eels is number 15 Marata Niukore
    15

    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Kaide Ellis
  • Interchange for Eels is number 16 Kane Evans
    16

    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Korbin Sims
  • Interchange for Eels is number 17 Oregon Kaufusi
    17

    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Jacob Host
Reserves
  • Reserve for Eels is number 18 Andrew Davey
    18

    Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Brayden Wiliame
  • Reserve for Eels is number 19 Haze Dunster
    19

    Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Eddie Blacker
  • Reserve for Eels is number 20 Stefano Utoikamanu
    20

    Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Jason Saab
  • Reserve for Eels is number 21 Brad Takairangi
    21

    Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Jayden Sullivan
Eels Ins
  • Brad Takairangi
  • Haze Dunster
  • Ryan Matterson
  • Stefano Utoikamanu
Ins
Dragons Ins
  • Brayden Wiliame
  • Corey Norman
  • Eddie Blacker
  • Jacob Host
  • Jason Saab
  • Jayden Sullivan
  • Korbin Sims
Eels Outs

Outs
Dragons Ins
  • Jackson Ford
  • Tariq Sims
  • Trent Merrin
Key match-up
Clint Gutherson v Matt Dufty. Gutherson continues to impress with his all-around game while Dufty has turned a 2020 campaign that at one stage included doubts over his future in the league into a great comeback story. Both men revel in open space. Dufty, in particular, is lethal against a tiring opposition.

Stat Attack
A look at the offload stats shows one outlier – the Eels. They have completed 59 more offloads than the second-placed team (the Roosters) and a whopping 88 more than the Dragons side they will face on Friday.



Eels v Dragons
What will be the result of their clash?

Eels v Dragons What will be the result of their clash?
  • Eels 1-10
    19%
  • Eels 11+
    64%
  • Dragons 1-10
    13%
  • Dragons 11+
    4%
3,061 Votes


https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/08/10/eels-v-dragons-matterson-green-light-tariq-sims-unlikely/


If Aitken has signed with Warriors, why the hell is he picked for this game or any other this year. With finals hopes gone, we could blood one of the Feagai's or Sauni-Esau or even Ramsay.

Aitken should be told to go watch TV for the rest of the year.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
2gt_3261-dragons-rooster-lone-pine.jpg


DRAGONS


'We can make eight': Dragons surprised Mary again under fire
Author
Brad Walter NRL.com Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 12 Aug 2020, 07:01 AM
walterbrad-head.png

St George Illawarra players believe they can still make the finals and have expressed surprise that the future of coach Paul McGregor was again set to come under scrutiny at next week's board meeting.

Dragons CEO Ryan Webb told NRL.com on Monday that the board had always intended to review McGregor's position once the team was out of finals contention but the players haven't given up hope of a securing a play-off berth.

"We come in and train like we can make the eight and we prepare like we can," fullback Matt Dufty said.

"Obviously it is getting to that point where it is a must-win for us and if we want any chance of being in the top eight we need to start winning some games and hopefully it starts this week against Parramatta

"I don't think we are too far away from getting those victories and it only takes one or two to really turn the season."

The Dragons are six points behind eighth-placed Cronulla with seven rounds of the Telstra Premiership remaining after losing their last three matches.


Before then, they had won four of their previous six matches since an emergency board meeting was called in the wake of the team's round four loss to Canterbury to discuss McGregor's future.

The board unanimously supported McGregor to remain as coach until the end of next season but his position will again be discussed next Tuesday.

"There was obviously a lot of talk about it then and I felt we had been improving since that game," Dufty said. "Obviously we want to win and that is what we have got to go out and do this weekend."

Star five-eighth Corey Norman returns for the Eels clash on Friday night after being dropped last week, with Ben Hunt shifting to hooker and Cameron McInnes moving to lock in place of the suspended Jackson Ford.

Tyrell Fuimaono replaces the injured Tariq Sims (shoulder) in the second row, with Korbin Sims recalled to the interchange bench.

Rookie halfback Adam Clune threw his support behind McGregor but said he didn't feel any added pressure from the knowledge that the Dragons could be playing for their coach's future.

"In some respects I am playing for my future as well," Clune said. "I have only started playing first grade so my focus is just about getting better each week and doing my best for the team.

"I am just trying to do what I can for myself, first and foremost, and that will benefit the team if I can nail my role. I think if everyone can focus on getting their job right that will benefit the team and therefore the coach as well.

"Obviously it's disappointing to have those conversations going on externally but, as a playing group, we fully support Mary.

"This came up earlier in the season and the board decided to keep him on and show faith and nothing's really changed from our perspective. Hopefully Mary stays on board because I've got a really good relationship with him and love playing for him."


https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/08/12...ns-surprised-mcgregors-job-again-on-the-line/
 

denis preston

First Grade
Messages
8,157
If Aitken has signed with Warriors, why the hell is he picked for this game or any other this year. With finals hopes gone, we could blood one of the Feagai's or Sauni-Esau or even Ramsay.

Aitken should be told to go watch TV for the rest of the year.
Yes, that would be the common sense play wouldn't it ? They are in such a bubble they can't see this obviously.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
If it wasn’t from Buzz I’d believe it. He doesn’t seem to have any sources other than stating how many games Mary has lost. We all know that anyway but he is yet to be sacked. I’m not getting my hopes up. Don’t want to be disappointed. I still think seeing out the season is the best option but announcing it now.

There is a post in JA that explains it all....certain people leaking to the press...just look at what I posted today....calling in favours.
 

possm

Coach
Messages
15,587
If it is mathematically possible for us to make the eight by defeating Parra this week, surely it would not be with Mary in charge.

We might be able to win each remaining game if we had a Shephard / Flanagan coaching staff. Mary and Young would have to be saked and a few extra first-grade players would have to be recruited. So if we could play the following 17, we might just make the 8 and win a semi-final contest:

1. Ramsey
2. Williame
3. Lomax
4. Bird
5. Ravalawa
6. Dufty
7. Clune
8. Pangai
9. Hunt
10. Vaughan
11. Frizell
12. Fuimaono
13. McInnes

14. Kerr
15. Blacker
16. Ford
17. Host

So yes, it would be a tall task and it would mean Millward being able to land the signatures of Jack Bird from the Broncos and Pangai jr who is a free agent. With Ford and Vaughan suspended and the selection of Friday nights side already in. So the list above are conditional on if they are available and when they are available.
 

Forbes Creek Dragons

First Grade
Messages
5,078
Dragons pack devoid of six forwards Brittain, De Belin, Ford, Merrin, Tariq Sims and Vaughan. The outcome will be a massacre.
But no one will ever say we are devoid of any players, its only the Roosters who get to claim than honour even when with 9 players out they can still field the best half in the comp the best centre in the comp and the best fullback in the comp along with some very handy Taukeiaho and Friends in there.
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
  • NRL: Fijian flyers Maika Sivo and Mikaele Ravalawa out to prove who is the best
    Bankwest Stadium will explode on Friday night when Fijian flyers Maika Sivo and Mikaele Ravalawa battle in the Parramatta versus St George Illawarra clash.

    Matt Logue
    NCA NewsWire
    August 12, 20205:17pm
    0330132a7f89e1923ce9744e01883911

    Parramatta winger Maika Sivo has been copping heat from his teammates all week about his battle against fellow Fijian flyer, Dragons back Mikaele Ravalawa, but he is ready to prove he is the superior player.

    Bankwest Stadium will explode on Friday night when Sivo and Ravalawa go head-to-head for the first time this season as the Eels host the Dragons.

    The Parramatta flyer revealed his personal group message with fellow Fijian NRL players has been alight in recent days with sledges ahead of the pair’s clash.

    “The boys have been giving it to me saying that he (Mikaele) is a better winger, but he has been playing some good footy so it should be a good battle,” Sivo said.

    “All the Fijian boys have a group chat and we always talk on there.”

    Sivo is reluctant to call out Ravalawa’s weaknesses, especially given his recent run of big hits, while he has scored eight tries in his 12 games for the Dragons this season.

    e26c4523f8ceaad43b312bf2abb10f0d

    Mikaele Ravalawa of the Dragons scores a try despite the efforts of Mawene Hiroti of the Sharks during the Round 5 NRL match. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne.Source:AAP

    The Dragons winger was particularly devastating in defence in round 9 against Manly when he picked off several Sea Eagles with his trademark shoulder.

    It’s why Sivo could only single out Ravalawa’s aerobic capacity as a potential downfall.

    “Maybe fitness wise, but we’ve had some good battles, so we’ll see how it goes,” he said.

    “He is a big boy. I’ve been watching some of his games. I’ll just be sitting on the sideline and waiting for the ball to come to me.”

    In all seriousness, Sivo has been a revelation since joining Parramatta last season from Penrith.

    In his 13 games this season, he has scored 11 tries and ran for 1605 metres, including a whopping 33 tackle breaks.

    Sivo has become a face for the next generation of Fijian kids to emulate.

    “I’ve been calling my cousins in the last couple of weeks and they said the kids are running around saying, ‘I’m Miaka’,” he grinned.

    “It is good to inspire the young ones and hopefully more can come to Australia.”

    Sivo’s Fijian hero growing up was former Newcastle and Manly winger Aku Uate.

    “He is one of the best,” Sivo declared about Uate, who remains Newcastle’s highest try scorer with 110 tries in 161 games between ‘08 and 2016.

    Uate was chuffed when told about Sivo’s high praise.

    “That is awesome – I love watching him play,” Uate said.

    “He is a beast and he is killing it.”
https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/e...t/news-story/410209a80a8b31edbb30b75b3e889745
 

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
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1118308E-8EC4-47AF-AC12-0344A4F72A63.gif

“ Hi fellas , just to let you all know that this weeks game plan will be - attack - attack- attack ! One of the silly beggars had the hide to ask me what that meant , so I said - just ride to the sound of the guns ! The moron then said that the Anzac game was last week - do you now understand just what I am up against ? “
 

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