Round 25 vs Panthers

[Saints Forever]

Wholehearted effort today.

Forwards take a bow. Particularly Simms/Frizz/Vaughan/Thommo/JDB.

A very disciplined and physical performance. Understand Sims will be playing right centre next week after out running Josh Mansour over 40 metres.

Widdop was inspiring today defensively. Dufty was safe under the high ball and showed great acceleration to score a vital try.

The team has its limitations. But if the team plays at this level of intensity we will give the Dogs something to worry about.

 

[getsmarty]

Gutsy effort today, but boy we look busted....

 

[getsmarty]

St George Illawarra Dragons overcome dropping of Josh Dugan to down Penrith Panthers 16-14
Andrew Parkinson
27 Aug 2017, 6 p.m.

Speed and skill: Young Dragons fullback Matt Dufty dives over to score against Penrith on Sunday. Picture: Craig Golding/AAP Image


St George Illawarra have produced a gutsy 16-14 victory over Penrith to keep their season alive on Sunday afternoon despite losing Josh Dugan before kick off after the representative centre was dropped.

Fox Sports reported that Dugan had missed the team bus to Pepper Stadium and drove himself to the ground. When he arrived he was notified the Dragons’ leadership group had convened on the bus and decided Dugan was to be left out.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor said the club needed to make a statement around discipline with Dugan, who will leave the club to join Cronulla next season, axed from the starting side with Kurt Mann taking Dugan’s place in the centres.

“Discipline is important to our footy team and on game day especially,” McGregor said.

Can't stop him! Vaughan charges over.#NRLPanthersDragons#NRLpic.twitter.com/FbVPeCbBiv

— NRL (@NRL) August 27, 2017
“He didn’t arrive on time after we spoke about what is needed recently. It doesn’t matter if it’s round 25. If you want to drive standards and discipline it doesn’t matter what round it is. It’s what the club needs. And our club needed to make a statement. Whether it be Josh or any other player in our side.”

The two-point win was enough to keep the Dragons in touching distance with the top eight heading into their final round clash with Canterbury at ANZ Stadium next Sunday. St George Illawarra are in ninth place on 28 points, two behind Penrith, North Queensland and Manly.

The Sea Eagles and Panthers play each other at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night, while the Cowboys host Brisbane on Thursday night. Given their superior for and against, a win for the Dragons over Canterbury would guarantee St George Illawarra a place in the finals.

Super Dufty! Dives for it. Gets it.#NRLPanthersDragons 8-12 right on HT.#NRLpic.twitter.com/gNGfUrZWPZ

— NRL (@NRL) August 27, 2017
St George Illawarra took the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Paul Vaughan isolated Dylan Edwards and Nathan Cleary on the try line to barge over from close range.

The Panthers drew level on the half hour mark when Tyrone May produced a superb solo effort. The five-eighth shaped to play out the back before throwing a dummy and slipping past Cameron McInnes to score under the posts.

A Cleary penalty goal five minutes later looked as though Penrith would take the lead to half-time only for young St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty to produce a moment of magic just before the break.

Mansour weaves! Finds the line.#NRLPanthersDragons 14-12 after 51 minutes. #NRLpic.twitter.com/n5hUdsdFN8

— NRL (@NRL) August 27, 2017
Dufty showed his electric speed to get on the outside of Cleary and cross out wide, with Gareth Widdop’s conversion from out wide in a swirling breeze giving St George Illawarra a 12-8 advantage at half-time.

Penrith wrestled back the lead 10 minutes after the break through Josh Mansour and went close again shortly after only for Tariq Sims to produce the first of two match-turning plays. Clearly regathered his own grubber kick that rebounded off the post and looked certain to score only for Sims to somehow wrestle Clearly back short of the line.

The second play proved to be the match-winner. The Dragons struggled out of their own end from the next set with a clearing kick into the strong breeze only reaching 10 metres into Penrith’s half. But as Dallin Watene Zelezniak returned the kick, Sims rocked the winger with a tackle and stole the ball, racing 45 metres to slide over in the corner.

What a play! Sims with a sneaky strip from DWZ!#NRLPanthersDragons 14-16 after 58 minutes.#NRLpic.twitter.com/vN0qeyLKBX

— NRL (@NRL) August 27, 2017
Penrith then threw everything they had at St George Illawarra for the final half hour but couldn’t crack the Dragons. Widdop then showed his experience and composure to close out the game, earning the Dragons several repeat sets to keep Penrith at bay.

Leader Scoreboard

St George Illawarra Dragons 16 (Paul Vaughan, Matt Dufty, Tariq Sims tries. Gareth Widdop two goals)

defeated

Penrith Panthers 14 (Tyrone May, Josh Mansour tries. Nathan Cleary three goals)

at Pepper Stadium

Crowd: 18,848

Leader man of the match: Tariq Sims (Dragons)

Dragons’ next game: Bulldogs (home)

http://www.theleader.com.au/story/4...gan-axing-to-keep-finals-hopes-alive/?cs=3833

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons keep finals dream alive
Sun 27th August, 06:00PM
A A




By Alicia Newton - NRL.com National Correspondent

St George Illawarra remain alive in the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership season and have ended Penrith's seven-game winning streak with a thrilling 16-14 victory at Pepper Stadium.

In a seesawing and tense affair, the Dragons hung on to a two-point lead for the final 24 minutes of the clash following the Sea Eagles' one-point victory over the Warriors in Auckland.

St George Illawarra's season was officially sudden death five minutes before the start of play and there was controversy before a ball was even kicked with Australian Test centre Josh Dugan left out of the Dragons line-up due to disciplinary reasons.

Paul McGregor's decision didn't seem to distract the team early on with the Red V shooting out of the blocks to lead 6-0.

Penrith's right edge had the fumbles to start the clash that enabled the Dragons some early possession and a chance to attack.

After a disallowed try for the visitors in the fifth minute, Paul Vaughan did it all himself four minutes later with a charging effort close to the line.

The Panthers responded nine minutes out from the break when Tyrone May kept the ball alive on the last tackle to step inside Cameron McInnes and Tyson Frizell to level the scores.

St George Illawarra's solid start was on the verge of unravelling with Josh McCrone spilling possession in the following set. A late tackle on Nathan Cleary enabled the Panthers to take a two-point lead via a penalty goal.

The Dragons then struck a big blow a minute out from the break with fullback Matt Dufty weaving his way through some clumsy defence on the left edge to regain the lead.

Both sides were forced to deal with gusty conditions in the second half with a strong breeze coming through Pepper Stadium prior to the break.

The change in conditions proved challenging for the Panthers early in the second half but Anthony Griffin's men defended their way out of a pressure situation before turning a chance to attack into points.

Tyrone Peachey got on the outside of Dugan's replacement Kurt Mann to send the ball inside for Josh Mansour to slide over the line.

Penrith have been notoriously strong finishes in 2017 but the momentum swung in the hands of McGregor's side once more when Tariq Sims stripped the ball one-on-one from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak to outrace Mansour and Peachey to the tryline.

In a seesawing affair, an error from Nene MacDonald immediately put the Dragons back under pressure to defend their two-point lead – a mission they were finding difficult as the home side stormed home.

Led by the experience of Gareth Widdop however, the Dragons controlled the backend with two repeat sets that starved Penrith of any chance of a last-minute finale.

The Panthers were forced to play out the second half with 16 men as Dylan Edwards failed to return to the field with a knee injury.

St George Illawarra will now need to beat the Bulldogs next week, while the Sea Eagles-Panthers clash looms as critical with the loser of the clash in danger of missing the finals.

The Cowboys are also no guarantee with the final round to decide the final two spots on the ladder.

St George Illawarra Dragons 16 (Vaughan, Dufty, Sims tries; Widdop 2 goals) defeated Penrith Panthers 14 (May, Mansour tries; Cleary 3 goals) at Pepper Stadium. Half-time: Dragons 12-8. Crowd: 18,848.

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/08/27/dragons_keep_finals_.html

 

[getsmarty]

Dugan absent as Dragons keep finals flame burning

Mitch Jennings@@Mitch_Jenno

27 Aug 2017, 7 p.m.

GETTING OVER: Matt Dufty scores for the Dragons. Picture: AAP


THE Dragons remain alive in the NRL finals race after grinding out a gutsy 16-14 win over Penrith on Sunday just hours after star centre Josh Dugan was sensationally dropped from the clash after missing the team bus.

Dugan made his own journey to the ground and was available to play, but coach Paul McGregor made the call to stand him down from the vital match.

It was a massive call with his side’s season on the line, but McGregor insisted in the post-match, that certain standards are non-negotiable.

“Discipline’s important to our footy team, on game-day especially, and he didn’t arrive on time after we spoke about what’s needed only recently,’ McGregor said.

“I knew the conversation would be around it being round 25, season on the line, but if you want to drive standards and discipline, it doesn’t matter what round it is or what’s on the line.

“It’s what the club needs, and our club needed to make a statement, whether it was Josh or any other player in the side. He was fine [with the call], he knows what our standards are.”

It’s not the first time Dugan’s professionalism has been called into the question this season, having not long emerged from the fallout surrounding his drinking session with NSW teammate Blake Ferguson five days before the Blues Origin III mauling.

It led many to question the culture of the Blues Origin set-up and played no small role in coach Laurie Daley’s sacking as NSW coach this week.

McGregor also refused to guarantee whether Dugan will return for next weekend’s clash with Canterbury after the Dragons managed one of their finest wins of the season in his absence.

“Next week’s, next week,” McGregor said when quizzed.

“Let’s worry about that then and celebrate tonight. To get a result here, they’d won seven on the bounce, they’re a good footy team… for me there’s nothing but praise for the boys and how they’ve worked.

“Considering the changes going into the game late today, I think it was our best win of the year.”

With one of their biggest stars missing, back-rower Tariq Sims proved the unlikely hero for his side, with a stunning individual effort for his side’s third try.

With his side’s season slipping away, Sims stripped Panthers fullback Dallin Watene-Zelezniak of the ball and raced 40 metres to re-take the lead 16-14 with 24 minutes to play.

It was virtually the Dragons only journey into the Penrith end of the field in the second stanza, as they repelled countless raids from the Panthers to defend their way to the two-point win after leading 12-8 at halftime on the back of tries to Paul Vaughan and Matt Dufty.

The gritty win was vital following North Queensland’s comeback victory over the Tigers on Friday, and Manly’s incredible escape act against the Warriors in Auckland on Sunday.

Those results still leave the Dragons two points adrift of eighth spot but, with the Panthers and Sea Eagles to play off in round 26, a win over the Bulldogs this Sunday would secure a finals berth.

“I’ve said it numerous times that the key to making finals football is in our hands,” McGregor said.

“We’ve just got to make that happen and win one more game of footy. We’re capable of doing it.”

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/...nals-hopes-alive-despite-dugan-drama/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

Young Dragons topple NYC Panthers again
Sun 27th August, 04:00PM
A A



The young Dragons have secured an astounding 40-10 victory over the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Led by a Steven Marsters hat-trick, the Dragons jumped to third on the Under-20s ladder with a round remaining in the regular season.

Marsters started the scoring in the 4th minute with a dive over in the corner before halfback Tristan Sailor scored under the posts at the 15th minute mark.

A Sailor grubber handed back-rower Jayden Morgan a four-pointer two minutes later.

Penrith winger Daine Laurie pegged one back for the Panthers midway through the first half but that was cancelled out 10 minutes later by another Marsters try.

TJ Uele's barging effort to score under the posts in the 36th minute handed the Dragons a 28-6 lead by half-time.

Interchange utility Jackson Willis kick-started the scoring in the 50th minute, before a further Zac Lomax penalty goal pushed the score out further 15 minutes later.

Four minutes later, Marsters had his third to push the Dragons' lead out to 34.

Panther Laurie finished the game's scoring proceedings in the 74th minute, in what proved to be a 30-point win for the young Dragons.

St George Illawarra Dragons 40 (Steven Marsters 3, Tristan Sailor, Jayden Morgan, TJ Uele, Jackson Willis; Zac Lomax 6 goals) defeated Penrith Panthers 10 (Daine Laurie 2 tries; Dean Blore goal) at Pepper Stadium. Half-time: Dragons 28-6.

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/08/27/young_dragons_topple.html

 

[getsmarty]

Player Reaction: Tyson Frizell v Panthers
Sun 27th August, 06:30PM
A A


St George Illawarra back-rower Tyson Frizell discusses the Dragons' 16-14 win over the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

http://www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/08/27/player_reaction_tyso.html

 

[getsmarty]

Press Conference: Round 25
Sun 27th August, 07:00PM
A A



St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor and skipper Gareth Widdop discuss the Dragons' 16-14 win over the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

www.dragons.com.au/news/2017/08/27/press_conference_rou.html

 

[Old Timer]

All of the people whose character you questioned in this post have been vindicated.

I expect that you are posting an apology to them even as I write this.

How have you been vindicated exactly?
Are you aware of all the facts surrounding why he missed the bus?
Did he turn up at the ground ready to play or did he actually go somewhere else?
There has been nothing in Dugan's behaviour in 5 years at our club to suggest he would purposefully do what occurred today but if he did do that I will be the first to give it to him but if he had a legitimate reason for missing the bus will you still be vindicated?
Hard to bring a man back to life if you prematurely hang him.

 

[SBD82]

I'm still pumped from the game.

All of the heartache of being a dragons supporter is worth it on days like today.

So proud of the boys.

 

[SBD82]

How have you been vindicated exactly?
Are you aware of all the facts surrounding why he missed the bus?
Did he turn up at the ground ready to play or did he actually go somewhere else?
There has been nothing in Dugan's behaviour in 5 years at our club to suggest he would purposefully do what occurred today but if he did do that I will be the first to give it to him but if he had a legitimate reason for missing the bus will you still be vindicated?
Hard to bring a man back to life if you prematurely hang him.

I'm sure he had a fantastic reason for missing the bus.

And I'm sure, after he explained that reason to the coach and the senior players, they decided to dump him for the game anyway.

Fmd. I wasn't talking about me. You took a holier than thou attitude and it bit you squarely on the arse. A bit of grace and humility wouldn't go astray.

 

[SaintPauli]

Gareth Widdop was the best player on the park today. Outstanding in all areas of rugby league. Attack, defence and leadership. Great role model for our young talents coming through. The future culture is looking good.

Fans need to get out to last game against Dogs. Big crowd required for another semi style game. C'mon you dragons.

 

[Old Timer]

I'm sure he had a fantastic reason for missing the bus.

And I'm sure, after he explained that reason to the coach and the senior players, they decided to dump him for the game anyway.

Fmd. I wasn't talking about me. You took a holier than thou attitude and it bit you squarely on the arse. A bit of grace and humility wouldn't go astray.

FMD you blokes are wanting almost willing him to FU so you can be vindicated despite the fact he has been well behaved the entire time he has been at the club.
If he is guilty of purposefully or wilfully trying to f**k up I am more than happy to prosecute the case against Dugan and then say I got it wrong but there is no proof of evidence at this point in time that, that is the case.
The simple fact is he did miss the bus and legitimate reason or no reason at all he would have been dropped regardless as that is the disciplinary code of the club.
If it was a wilful act do you think the club / coach / players would have had him in the dressing room with the others where Mc Fookknuckle said he was there cheering the team on?

 

[SBD82]

FMD you blokes are wanting almost willing him to FU so you can be vindicated despite the fact he has been well behaved the entire time he has been at the club.
If he is guilty of purposefully or wilfully trying to f**k up I am more than happy to prosecute the case against Dugan and then say I got it wrong but there is no proof of evidence at this point in time that, that is the case.
The simple fact is he did miss the bus and legitimate reason or no reason at all he would have been dropped regardless as that is the disciplinary code of the club.
If it was a wilful act do you think the club / coach / players would have had him in the dressing room with the others where Mc Fookknuckle said he was there cheering the team on?

You believe that Dugan was dropped from the team for missing the bus? Once? With a good reason? f**k off. You can't be that willfully ignorant.

And not once did I say that I was vindicated. What I did say was that all of the blokes whose character you questioned have been vindicated. And you owe them an apology.

 

[Old Timer]

You believe that Dugan was dropped from the team for missing the bus? Once? With a good reason? f**k off. You can't be that willfully ignorant.

And not once did I say that I was vindicated. What I did say was that all of the blokes whose character you questioned have been vindicated. And you owe them an apology.

OK genius give us all the inside info as to all the indiscretions Dugan has had that resulted in him being dropped today.
In your opinion it is obviously not about missing the bus so please enlighten us as the media haven't been able to do so far this year.
He has been picked every time he was available to play and on a couple of occasions played when he was in fact in doubt so hard to suggest that there was anything untoward with his behaviour or attitude otherwise surely he wouldn't have been selected.
Today he missed the bus and the senior playing group with the coach obviously thought that was important enough to stand him down.
As for any apology to people because you say so I don't think so because you are in the dark as to the facts on this subject as much as I am.
When you can provide the evidence come back to me.

 

[SBD82]

OK genius give us all the inside info as to all the indiscretions Dugan has had that resulted in him being dropped today.
In your opinion it is obviously not about missing the bus so please enlighten us as the media haven't been able to do so far this year.
He has been picked every time he was available to play and on a couple of occasions played when he was in fact in doubt so hard to suggest that there was anything untoward with his behaviour or attitude otherwise surely he wouldn't have been selected.
Today he missed the bus and the senior playing group with the coach obviously thought that was important enough to stand him down.
As for any apology to people because you say so I don't think so because you are in the dark as to the facts on this subject as much as I am.
When you can provide the evidence come back to me.

You're hopeless.

 

[Old Timer]

You're hopeless.

If you bothered to read my post, I said if Dugan is proved to have wilfully disrupted the team I will happily say I am wrong.
If you have the facts to assist with that then please provide them.
You want to keep putting your dukes up but at the present time despite all your posting you've got nothing, so get a tissue blow your nose, wipe you eyes and have a sleep.
If in the morning something comes to light to prove Dugan is the bad person people claim him to be, then and only then will you see me change my opinion.
By the way if you were to ask me do I think Dugan is particularly smart or very bright the answer is definitely not so that may assist you as to how I view him as person.

 

[gitano]

Mary did the right thing dumping Dugan. But I still think he should have left Mann at half and played either Leilua or Milne in the centres. Also, Nene was bad, horrible and nearly cost us the game. He's not the greatest player to begin with, but there was something wrong with him and I don't think he should have played either.

Anyway, a wins a win and it was a gutsy one at that. Man of the match Simms, brilliant so determined and just sheer power and passion. Dufty had a very, very good game too, they put him under a lot of pressure with some big kicks with the strong breeze and the chasers gave him nothing. He's a good young player - Dufty.

Wait. Did you say Leilua in the centres??

 

[SBD82]

If you bothered to read my post, I said if Dugan is proved to have wilfully disrupted the team I will happily say I am wrong.
If you have the facts to assist with that then please provide them.
You want to keep putting your dukes up but at the present time despite all your posting you've got nothing, so get a tissue blow your nose, wipe you eyes and have a sleep.
If in the morning something comes to light to prove Dugan is the bad person people claim him to be, then and only then will you see me change my opinion.
By the way if you were to ask me do I think Dugan is particularly smart or very bright the answer is definitely not so that may assist you as to how I view him as person.

All of your bluster won't change the fact that you questioned the character of people, and they were then vindicated. Dugan was stood down for discipline reasons. We will never get the full story. But to stand down an Australian rep player hours before the game is a massive call. And not one that would have been done lightly.

And take your condescending tissue remarks and stick them up your arse.

 

[Old Timer]

All of your bluster won't change the fact that you questioned the character of people, and they were then vindicated. Dugan was stood down for discipline reasons. We will never get the full story. But to stand down an Australian rep player hours before the game is a massive call. And not one that would have been done lightly.

And take your condescending tissue remarks and stick them up your arse.

FMD you are blind and ignorant.
I never said it wasn't a big call nor that it was done lightly.
By the way if others are offended let them talk for themselves, they don't need you to do it for them, so take your super hero outfit off.
Instead of responding all the time go and dig up some facts as to what Dugan has done wrong other than miss the bus as that is the only statement out there.