Round 2 line-up vs Tigers

[Jubileeboy]

Must disagree with you Twenty10.

Runciman is a talent and Saints would be better off blooding both Aitken, Mata'utia and Runciman whilst using Farrell and Neilsen as reserve backs.

Farrell has reached his full capacity, Neilsen is on the slippery slide.

Dugan has to play full back to justify his salary.

Nabuli brings a physical presence that could make a difference.

If we get the mix right in the backs, we will have speed and enthusiasm in attack and defence.

Good post. Makes sense and astute assessment.

 

[love my saints]

Don't be so negative. If you don't like someones opinion, don't comment, and move on.

Practice what you preach

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons to miss Tigers clash

By MITCH JENNINGS

March 15, 2015, midnight

STAR Dragons fullback Josh Dugan will miss Monday's match with the Tigers with an ankle injury suffered in the club's first round loss to Melbourne.Picture: MARK KOLBE

THE Dragons have been dealt a huge blow with star fullback Josh Dugan failing to recover from an ankle injury in time for Monday night’s clash with the Tigers at Campbelltown.
There were initial fears that Dugan could miss up to 12 weeks with the ankle syndesmosis injury suffered against Melbourne in round one. Post-match scans showed the injury was not as severe as first thought but the six-day turnaround proved too short a window for Dugan to make a miraculous recovery for the round two clash. The loss of their most potent attacking weapon is a big blow for the Dragons just a week after struggling to post points against Melbourne.
Peter Mata’utia completed Sunday’s captain’s run and will play fullback against the Tigers after Dugan was ruled out. The versatile 24-year-old played nine games in 2014 after a year-long absence from the NRL and will return to his favoured position - where he spent the bulk of the preseason - against the Tigers.
‘‘Pete was very disappointed not to make the 17 for the first round and he promised he’d fight his way back into the side,’’ coach Paul McGregor said.
‘‘It’s come a little bit easier than that with an injury but it presents a good opportunity for him. ‘‘Positionally he’s very sound. He’s had a whole preseason practicing the fullback’s role and he played there as a junior. He’s got a very good catch and pass, he’s got a very strong carry and an offload as well which is good to have at fullback.’’
Dugan’s withdrawal confirms a double blow for the Dragons with Ben Creagh expected to miss up to six weeks after suffering multiple back fractures in the loss to the Storm.
Trent Merrin will start the match at lock paving the way for veteran hooker Heath L’Estrange to make his debut for the club from the bench. L’Estrange will share the hooking role with Mitch Rein who was forced to make 47 tackles against the Storm.
Dugan’s absence will see more pressure fall on the shoulders of halves Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop. Marshall laid on a try with a clever grubber against the Storm but linked with Widdop only sparingly as the Dragons struggled to turn possession into points.
It’s prompted suggestions the Dragons will struggle for points this season but McGregor dismissed any concern over his side’s attacking potency.
‘‘The perception might be there but it’s certainly not within our playing group,’’ he said.
‘‘We scored points comfortably last year and we’ve got a similar playing group and the same coach so I don’t think there’ll be a problem in that department after we adjust a few things.
"Melbourne are a good defensive side and we did actually strip them for numbers quite a few times it was just our execution was a bit off. It was round one so you expect that a little bit but we’d like to see that improve this week.’’

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2945566/dugan-to-miss-tigers-clash/?cs=302

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...cubs-he-nurtured/story-fni3fbgz-1227263696797

 

[love my saints]

Im expecting a big improvement from the boys.... dragons 13+

 

[Miller was a legend]

Good luck tonight boys! Go get em!!

 

[possm]

Dragons to miss Tigers clash

By MITCH JENNINGS

March 15, 2015, midnight

STAR Dragons fullback Josh Dugan will miss Monday's match with the Tigers with an ankle injury suffered in the club's first round loss to Melbourne.Picture: MARK KOLBE

THE Dragons have been dealt a huge blow with star fullback Josh Dugan failing to recover from an ankle injury in time for Monday night?s clash with the Tigers at Campbelltown.
There were initial fears that Dugan could miss up to 12 weeks with the ankle syndesmosis injury suffered against Melbourne in round one. Post-match scans showed the injury was not as severe as first thought but the six-day turnaround proved too short a window for Dugan to make a miraculous recovery for the round two clash. The loss of their most potent attacking weapon is a big blow for the Dragons just a week after struggling to post points against Melbourne.
Peter Mata?utia completed Sunday?s captain?s run and will play fullback against the Tigers after Dugan was ruled out. The versatile 24-year-old played nine games in 2014 after a year-long absence from the NRL and will return to his favoured position - where he spent the bulk of the preseason - against the Tigers.
??Pete was very disappointed not to make the 17 for the first round and he promised he?d fight his way back into the side,?? coach Paul McGregor said.
??It?s come a little bit easier than that with an injury but it presents a good opportunity for him. ??Positionally he?s very sound. He?s had a whole preseason practicing the fullback?s role and he played there as a junior. He?s got a very good catch and pass, he?s got a very strong carry and an offload as well which is good to have at fullback.??
Dugan?s withdrawal confirms a double blow for the Dragons with Ben Creagh expected to miss up to six weeks after suffering multiple back fractures in the loss to the Storm.
Trent Merrin will start the match at lock paving the way for veteran hooker Heath L?Estrange to make his debut for the club from the bench. L?Estrange will share the hooking role with Mitch Rein who was forced to make 47 tackles against the Storm.
Dugan?s absence will see more pressure fall on the shoulders of halves Benji Marshall and Gareth Widdop. Marshall laid on a try with a clever grubber against the Storm but linked with Widdop only sparingly as the Dragons struggled to turn possession into points.
It?s prompted suggestions the Dragons will struggle for points this season but McGregor dismissed any concern over his side?s attacking potency.
??The perception might be there but it?s certainly not within our playing group,?? he said.
??We scored points comfortably last year and we?ve got a similar playing group and the same coach so I don?t think there?ll be a problem in that department after we adjust a few things.
"Melbourne are a good defensive side and we did actually strip them for numbers quite a few times it was just our execution was a bit off. It was round one so you expect that a little bit but we?d like to see that improve this week.??

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2945566/dugan-to-miss-tigers-clash/?cs=302

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...cubs-he-nurtured/story-fni3fbgz-1227263696797

Now that sounds very familiar.