Round 17 Dragons v Titans

[Dennis Papaioannou]

Well it's nice to be wrong for a change

You were still right about the "keystone cops" part of your comment...

 

[Drag Queen]

Perhaps it may be asking a lot for 2 shrewd selections in the same week!

For mine, if Vaughan was still there I would prefer to see Leilua on the bench, but with the big guy out for 3-4 weeks I think Lawrie might add more thrust.

Matthews would be the weak selection option imo.

Don't underestimate Matthews if he's back to full strength. I'd have him over an inconsistent Leilua or an above average Lawrie tbh.

 

[getsmarty]

NRL Preview: Round 17
Wed 28th June, 12:00PM
A A



Gold Coast Titans v St George Illawarra Dragons


Cbus Super Stadium 
Friday, 6pm

The Dragons will look to head into next week’s bye on a positive note, when they head north to take on the Gold Coast Titans this Friday night.

Coach Paul McGregor will be hoping his side can reproduce the form they showed in the second half last week against the Knights, when they scored four unanswered tries.

Despite winning four of their last six on the Gold Coast, the Dragons will be weary of a Titans side with attacking weapons across the park.

The Gold Coast snapped a four game losing streak last week against the Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium, and will be desperate to come away with the win and improve their changes of playing finals football.

Doubles to Konrad Hurrell and Jarryd Hayne will only give the team more confidence, as they return to play their first game at home since Round 14.

Teams –

Dragons: 1. Josh Dugan, 2. Nene Macdonald, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Tim Lafai, 5. Jason Nightingale, 6. Gareth Widdop (c), 7. Kurt Mann, 8. Russell Packer, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Leeson Ah Mau, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Joel Thompson, 13. Jack de Belin. Interchange: 14. Tariq Sims, 15. Jacob Host, 16. Hame Sele, 17. Josh McCrone, 18. Blake Lawrie, 19. Taane Milne, 21. Matt Dufty, 22. Will Matthews.

Titans: 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Anthony Don 3. Dale Copley 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. Will Zillman 6. Tyrone Roberts 7. Ashley Taylor 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James (c) 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Joe Greenwood 13. Chris McQueen. Interchange: 14. Pat Politoni 15. Morgan Boyle 16. Max King 17. Agnatius Paasi 18. Paterika Vaivai 19. Nathaniel Peteru 20. John Olive 21. Jamal Fogarty

Key Match-Up: Leeson Ah Mau vs. Ryan James: Leeson Ah Mau, who slots into the starting line-up for the injured Paul Vaughan, will come up against four-time Indigenous All Star and Titans captain, Ryan James. Ah Mau was one of the Dragons’ best last weekend, setting season highs in minutes, running metres, runs and tackles. His opposite number, James, has played every game for the Titans this year and leads the team in tackles, and has the second most carries.

The History: Played 17; Titans 6, Dragons 11.

Match Officials: Referees: Grant Atkins, Chris Sutton. Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Clayton Sharpe

Televised: Fox League – Live coverage from 5:30pm

Radio: ABC and 2GB

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/06/28/nrl_preview_round_17.html

 

[coast_dragons]

Don't underestimate Matthews if he's back to full strength. I'd have him over an inconsistent Leilua or an above average Lawrie tbh.

Lawrie above average hmmm interesting.

 

[Crush]

Gitano It would not surprise me at all , was thinking the same ....... I know Mann my not be the solution at 7 but either is McCrone . Maybe Widdop and Mann can swap around during the game . Just gives more option IMO with Mann in the halves ....

McCrone will never play starting halfback again at nrl level.
Prediction.

 

[Bests Golden Boots]

Don't underestimate Matthews if he's back to full strength. I'd have him over an inconsistent Leilua or an above average Lawrie tbh.

I can't help but think they are "inconsistent" or "average" cause they are running out for the Cutters in front of two men and a dog.
Maybe give them a chance on the main stage and see if they shine?

 

[Bests Golden Boots]

McCrone will never play starting halfback again at nrl level.
Prediction.

Seriously?
He's on the team sheet for next week.

 

[denis preston]

Don't underestimate Matthews if he's back to full strength. I'd have him over an inconsistent Leilua or an above average Lawrie tbh.

DQ , on what basis do you make this conclusion ? I thought Lulia has been playing major minutes and yes Lawrie deserves a go. Matthews missed tackle count since coming back is a real worry.

 

[coast_dragons]

Leilua has been racking up the minutes for Illawarra and has been getting more consistant in an inconsistant team.

Lawrie also has been playing good minutes and the stats show it.

Mathews is barely back and is some way off the pace plus i heard he's not in the clubs plans for next year so i see no reason to use him unless its an absolute necessity.

 

[hazzbeen]

McCrone will never play starting halfback again at nrl level.
Prediction.

Crush I hope your right , but Im not convinced .....

 

[ALSGI]

McCrone will never play starting halfback again at nrl level.
Prediction.

Nice, I like it.
What's your prediction with Nene for the rest of this year?
What about Nighty next year?

 

[Drag Queen]

I can't help but think they are "inconsistent" or "average" cause they are running out for the Cutters in front of two men and a dog.
Maybe give them a chance on the main stage and see if they shine?

The Cutters aren't cutting it this year. Far off the mark and yet you want these guys on centre stage? Leilua is still lazy and Lawrie has shown glimpses of what he is capable of. Let them get their heads around reggies before throwing them in the deep end.

 

[Crush]

Nice, I like it.
What's your prediction with Nene for the rest of this year?
What about Nighty next year?

Yeah not sure about Nene. He does some good things but he is far from the big fast winger we were promised. I haven't jumped on the"Nene is rubbish" bandwagon just yet.
Nighty looks like he may go around again. I still think that he offers a lot. I know you think he should call time but I wouldn't be upset either way.

 

[blacksafake]

McCrone will never play starting halfback again at nrl level.
Prediction.

I'm gunna hold you to this lol

 

[getsmarty]

Coach's Preview: Round 17
Thu 29th June, 09:00AM
A A



St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor discusses the Dragons' Round 17 clash against the Gold Coast Titans at cBus Super Stadium, Robina on Friday night.

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/06/29/coach_s_preview_roun.af_news.html

 

[Drag Queen]

Leilua has been racking up the minutes for Illawarra and has been getting more consistant in an inconsistant team.

Lawrie also has been playing good minutes and the stats show it.

Mathews is barely back and is some way off the pace plus i heard he's not in the clubs plans for next year so i see no reason to use him unless its an absolute necessity.[/QUOTE

DQ , on what basis do you make this conclusion ? I thought Lulia has been playing major minutes and yes Lawrie deserves a go. Matthews missed tackle count since coming back is a real worry.

http://bit.ly/2sjmvHq I hope this is the right link. Matthews tackles 40, Leilua 17.

 

[Gareth67]

This is a game that will certainly go along way in cementing a place in the finals for the Dragons . I don't know if Mary will give that same message to the players before they run out on to the field tomorrow , but I would be ensuring that it was in all of their heads .

Also that the Gold Coast are a far better team than the competition ladder may suggest. If the Big Red V can get back to playing the style of footy that they had been playing earlier in the season , then they will come away as victors . They owe that themselves , but they must get that killer instinct back into their game and make every post a winner from now on .

 

[Drag Queen]

Leilua has been racking up the minutes for Illawarra and has been getting more consistant in an inconsistant team.

Lawrie also has been playing good minutes and the stats show it.

Mathews is barely back and is some way off the pace plus i heard he's not in the clubs plans for next year so i see no reason to use him unless its an absolute necessity.

http://bit.ly/2sjmvHq. Some stats for you regarding Matthews mate.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

McCrone will never play starting halfback again at nrl level.
Prediction.

I'd love to believe you .......... but?

 

[KogarahWarrior]

McCrone will never play starting halfback again at nrl level.
Prediction.

Prayer*