Round 3 Vs Broncos

[BLM01]

Yep..the best team won tonight. 3 lucky tries and 1 off a good placed kick for the Broncos...and a few dubious penalties. Starting to sound like Mary.
Right to cue Lockyer and few others how the Broncos were out enthused...and were

Those who wished Widdop was sent to Emgland now have probably got what they wished for. May have played his last game. I'll miss him big time and our side will but not his kicks into other players hands.

I would probably to fit Lomax as our gun goal kicker replace Ravalawa. I want Lomax at 3 but cant drop Aitken on tonights performance.

Before Norman we dont win that game or kick that field goal. He has earned his spot now and played OK tonight. Hunrt best back on field. Lawrie best forward. Vaughan played good minutes and always an impact.

I am still worried about making yardage out of own end..we struggle a bit to make decent metres..we need to change it up a bit more as we did early on.

Well doe to the team..credit where it is due

 

[Saint_JimmyG]

Widdop was still and on the ground not attempting to move. I thought it should have been a penalty.

In the old days, it would’ve been called a voluntary tackle.

 

[some11]

Congrats on the win guys, f**k that would have felt good especially if you were there.

Backs against the wall stuff, and with Friz back and the spine settled (unfortunately by way of injury) things are on the up.

 

[Dragonsdiehard]

Mixed emotions seeing Widdop do his shoulder again but it's always sweet to beat the Broncos in Brisbane after years of copping defeat after defeat at Suncorp.
Three soft / lucky tries and numerous ref blunders almost gifted the match to Brisbane so it was pleasing everyone play determined for the full 80 mins. I thought it was a stoic performance and the best team won on the night. Dufty's speed will be a plus next week and I think Lomax needs to be given more time and Ravalawa possibly less. Can't wait for Friz and JDB to return. We'll be lucky if we see Widdop back this year I reckon. Who's going to captain? Graham?

 

[blacksafake]

Agree Blacksafake
But Mary said after the game Duffy would go to fb and Corey to 6.
That would mean lafai would be the kicker.
Hope not.

Hope not too.
If he’s so intent on having a back on the bench then put Aitken there. Lomax has to kick.

 

[rednwhites]

Lomax to 1. Dufty to impact from bench. Hunt and Norman in the halves. We need to replace Ravalawa but needs to be a specialist winger.

 

[getsmarty]

Lomax to 1. Dufty to impact from bench. Hunt and Norman in the halves. We need to replace Ravalawa but needs to be a specialist winger.

McGregor has already said that Dufty will come straight back into the team

 

[getsmarty]

Match Highlights: Broncos v Dragons
Brisbane host St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium in round 3 of the 2019 NRL Telstra Premiership

https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/03/28/match-highlights-round-3-v-broncos/

 

[rednwhites]

McGregor has already said that Dufty will come straight back into the team

Sorry, I tend to avoid hearing that guy talk in any forum. So where does that leave Lomax and who kicks the goals, Mary?

 

[getsmarty]

Norman field goal gets Dragons home in thriller
Author
Joel Gould NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Thu 28 Mar 2019, 11:20 PM

A Corey Norman field goal with 12 seconds remaining has given the Dragons a stunning 25-24 win over the Broncos on a night where St George Illawarra fullback Gareth Widdop suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder.

With the scores locked at 24-all in the 78th minute Brisbane winger Jamayne Isaako missed with his attempt to break the deadlock before Norman calmly potted the one-pointer against his former club from 30m out.

The Broncos had tied it up in the 73rd minute when Kotoni Staggs broke through and his pass was toed ahead by Darius Boyd.

Widdop appeared to have it covered near the tryline when he suffered an agonising shoulder injury while tackled by Boyd.

The ball popped loose and Jack Bird swooped to score as Widdop left the field clutching his shoulder, which he twice dislocated last year.

A Ben Hunt masterclass fired the Dragons to victory on a night where coach Paul McGregor’s spine finally clicked, before the disaster that befell Widdop.


Match: Broncos v Dragons

Round 3 - Thursday 28th March

Full Time

Home Team

Broncos

Scored 24 points

Away Team

Dragons

Scored 25 points
Venue: Suncorp Stadium

Match broadcasters:

• Nine Network
• Fox League
• LIVE PASS

Playing against his former club Hunt’s running, passing and kicking game was on song with his combination with five-eighth Norman working a treat.

McGregor made a late change to leave Matt Dufty out of the side and bring Zac Lomax onto the bench. Hunt, Norman, Widdop and Cameron McInnes knew they would be playing the whole game together with no tweaks and as a result the Dragons attack flowed throughout the match.

The Broncos forwards, so dominant the week before against the Cowboys, were outplayed by a Dragons pack led by prop Paul Vaughan who ran for 189m.

Tevita Pangai jnr came crashing back to earth with two defensive errors leading to Dragons tries. The NSW Blues hopeful also gave away a penalty in the play the ball that led to a Dragons try.



Norman slots field goal for Dragons win

The Dragons forwards gained the ascendancy early, with the running games of centre Euan Aitken, winger Jordan Pereira and Hunt featuring prominently.

Hooker McInnes opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he went on a 40m run through the teeth of the defence and threw a dummy that bamboozled Boyd to score.

Six minutes later a switch of play by Hunt to Tim Lafai found Jordan Pereira who scored in the corner.

In the 25th minute a try was awarded to the Broncos after the video referee ruled Dragons winger Mikaela Ravalawa had lost the ball in a tackle and that it was not tipped out by Bird. The ball was propelled forward and Corey Oates swopped to score his fifth try of the season.

The Dragons threatened again courtesy of Hunt’s running game before an alert James Roberts snaffled a Widdop kick on the full to race 91m to give the Broncos a 12-10 lead at half-time.



Widdop injured as Broncos draw level

St George Illawarra, after making seven line breaks to two in the first half, started the second stanza on top courtesy of Broncos errors. It was Hunt’s scheming that was rewarded, in combination with Norman, to provide for Ravalawa.

After a Widdop penalty the Dragons appeared set to put the foot down before Anthony Milford came to life with a deft short kick for Alex Glenn to level the scores at 18-all in the 55th minute.

The momentum swung again when Korbin Sims, also playing against his old club, crashed through a Pangai tackle at close range to score.

The Broncos hit back through Bird before the bittersweet drama-charged final minutes for the Dragons where Norman’s heroics were soured by Widdop’s injury.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/03/28/norman-field-goal-gets-dragons-home-in-thriller/

 

[Mark D]

Have a fantastic weekend crew !

 

[getsmarty]

Gareth Widdop injured as St George Illawarra Dragons score 25-24 win over Brisbane Broncos

• Local Sport
  Photos | NRL 2019 Broncos vs Dragons
  Pictures: AAP Image
  St George Illawarra have kick started their season with a last-gasp 25-24 victory over the Broncos in Brisbane on Thursday night - but it may have come at a cost.
  
  Captain Gareth Widdop was helped from the ground in the dying stages after he looked to have re-injured his troublesome shoulder that ended his campaign last season.
  
  While Widdop's potential injury was another blow to the Dragons' new spine, the spine's newest member - Corey Norman - showed why St George Illawarra were so desperate to acquire him, winning the game for the Dragons with a field goal with five seconds to play.
  
  McInnes from dummy half! #NRLBroncosDragons#TelstraPremiershippic.twitter.com/ippbLjG0i5
  
  — NRL (@NRL) March 28, 2019
  Already without Jack de Belin and Tyson Frizell due to unavailability and injury respectively, new signing Korbin Sims scored a try on debut as the Dragons showed great resilience to fight back from a half-time deficit to score their first win of the season.
  
  The Dragons took the lead after just six minutes through Cameron McInnes. The hooker darted from dummy half with Brisbane's markers on the ground 40 metres out from the Broncos' line, with McInnes producing a sublime dummy to stroll past Darius Boyd and score under the posts.
  
  St George Illawarra were in again five minutes later in a frantic start to the match.
  
  The @NRL_Dragons go short side!#NRLBroncosDragons 0-10 after 13 minutes.#TelstraPremiershippic.twitter.com/ylV10o6DyK
  
  — NRL (@NRL) March 28, 2019
  With Jordan Pereira tackled in the left corner, Ben Hunt looked to play to the open side before darting back to the left, with Tim Lafai's quick hands setting up Pereira to tip toe down the touchline and dive over in the corner.
  
  The Dragons were excellent in defence in a breathless opening 20 minutes, denying Alex Glenn close to the line.
  
  The visitors had a controversial call go against them after 26 minutes with a try completely against the run of play allowing Brisbane back into the match.
  
  Oates puts the @brisbanebroncos on the board!#NRLBroncosDragons 6-10 after 27 minutes.#TelstraPremiershippic.twitter.com/z5IsqUyWi7
  
  — NRL (@NRL) March 28, 2019
  Mikaele Ravalawa dropped the ball running it out from his own end with Corey Oates scooping up the loose ball to score. On field match officials ruled no try but the video referee bunker officials overturned the decision, despite it appearing that Jack Bird had knocked the ball forward in the tackle.
  
  The Broncos then managed to take the lead to half-time with another try against the run of play.
  
  With the Dragons deep on the attack, Widdop attempted a left foot kick into the in-goal area. James Roberts stuck out a hand to pluck the ball out of the air and raced 90m to score for Brisbane to give them a 12-10 advantage.
  
  What a take from Roberts!#NRLBroncosDragons#TelstraPremiershippic.twitter.com/tlojjpcsLM
  
  — NRL (@NRL) March 28, 2019
  Jacob Host went close shortly after the break, only to be denied by Anthony Milford.
  
  The Dragons did re-take the lead seven minutes into the second half as Ravalawa showed great athleticism to produce an acrobatic finish to score his first NRL try after Hunt and Norman had combined.
  
  A Widdop penalty goal extended St George Illawarra's lead to 18-12 before the Broncos hit back on 55 minutes. Milford drifted across field before he caught the Dragons off guard with an early grubber kick on the third tackle, with Glenn following through to level the scores.
  
  Ravalawa gets his first try in the #NRL!#NRLBroncosDragons#TelstraPremiershippic.twitter.com/uulVrZIPpY
  
  — NRL (@NRL) March 28, 2019
  The Broncos had a chance to take the lead through Jamayne Isaako, only for Isaako to drop a short Boyd pass with the line wide open.
  
  And the Dragons made them pay, with Korbin Sims making it a debut to remember as he barged over Andrew McCullough from close range, his fifth try in six games against Brisbane, to put St George Illawarra 24-18 in front.
  
  But the game would swing again. A deflected Kotoni Staggs grubber was toed through by Boyd, with Widdop looking to have it covered as he cleaned up at the back.
  
  The @brisbanebroncos fire back.#NRLBroncosDragons all locked up at 24-all with 5 minutes to go.#TelstraPremiershippic.twitter.com/A7UCnYsGtk
  
  — NRL (@NRL) March 28, 2019
  Widdop appeared to land on his outstretched arm awkwardly, similar to his shoulder injury on the same ground in the elimination final last season. And as Boyd attempted to drag Widdop into the in-goal area, Widdop dropped the ball, allowing Bird to swoop in and score next to the posts.
  
  Dragons coach Paul McGregor said it was a serious shoulder injury, with Widdop to undergo scans on Friday.
  
  With their captain lost to injury and already down two of their best forwards, the Dragons had every excuse to quit.
  
  But they refused.
  
  Norman has won the game for the @NRL_Dragons!!!#NRLBroncosDragons#TelstraPremiershippic.twitter.com/RC4PLaM1wy
  
  — NRL (@NRL) March 28, 2019
  Isaako had the chance to win Brisbane the game in the 79th minute, only to fade his drop goal attempt just wide.
  
  The Dragons then charged down the other end in their seventh tackle set, with Norman slotting a 35m field goal to win the game against one of his former clubs with five seconds remaining.
  
  Leader Scoreboard
  
  St George Illawarra Dragons 25 (Cameron McInnes, Jordan Pereira, Mikaele Ravalawa, Korbin Sims tries. Gareth Widdop four goals. Corey Norman field goal)
  
  defeated
  
  Brisbane Broncos 24 (Corey Oates, James Roberts, Alex Glenn, Jack Bird tries. Jamayne Isaako four goals)
  
  at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
  
  Leader man of the match: Ben Hunt (Dragons)
  
  Dragons' next three: Knights (away), Bulldogs (home - Kogarah), Sea Eagles (home - Wollongong)

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...ury-as-norman-ignites-dragons-season/?cs=3713

 

[getsmarty]

Widdop facing long-term injury as Norman ignites Dragons' NRL season

• 
  Tim Barrow

Dragons Den
Gareth Widdop walked off in agony again.

Try time: Jordan Pereira. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Clutching the arm. Another shoulder injury.

The heir apparent, Corey Norman clinched it, 25-24, right at the death.

A wild rollercoaster, but the Dragons are up and running.

It had earlier appeared St George Illawarra had ignited their season, more with grit this time, than breathtaking force, as they did with their crushing 48-18 win over Brisbane in last year's elimination final.

But ahead by six in the final minutes, Widdop tried to dive on a dribbling ball kicked downfield, only for it to spill loose, instantly feeling the searing pain, as Brisbane scored through winger Jamayne Isaako.

Isaako soon after missed a field goal shot to seal it.

It all turned so quickly. The Dragons were suddenly reeling, at the prospect of playing much of the season without Widdop and with the scores now locked at 24-all.

Korbin Sims was blown away by brother Tariq and the Dragons while playing for Brisbane in last year's elimination final.

On Thursday night, he was crash tackled by Tariq in scenes of celebration at 24-18, scoring his first try for St George Illawarra on returning to Suncorp Stadium.

It in September when Widdop had gone off in an identical fashion, the Dragons succumbing to Souths in the semi-finals the next week.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor confirmed Gareth Widdop had dislocated his shoulder. "It's bad."

And like their win against Brisbane last year, Wayne Bennett's Broncos' swansong, it looked ominous early.

For the first 25 minutes it had been near-flawless for the Dragons.

Criticised for their spine selections and right-edge defence, their best response was attack.

And so it came in waves from the opening moments.

As Matt Dufty was dropped for Zac Lomax to provide cover in the outside backs, centre Euan Aitken cut the the Broncos open more than once.

Cameron McInnes produced a blinding dummy-half run to open the scoring five minutes in, then winger Jordan Pereira doubled up on his own play-the-ball to dive over in the corner six minutes later.

Then it started to unravel.

A loose carry from rookie winger Mikaele Ravalawa - initially ruled a no-try for a double knock-on - was awarded after Corey Oates picked it up and scored.

Widdop, who had started at fullback then swapped with Norman to move into the halves, misfired a kick and James Roberts, Jimmy the Jet, raced 90 metres to score and the Broncos led 12-10 at the break.

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...ury-as-norman-ignites-dragons-season/?cs=3713

 

[Overseas dragon]

Congratulations to all the forwards outstanding Sims, big red, mcinnes, host, Vaughan, even Latimore and Korbin excellent, next week no spine changes. Let's see if jet ski can keep it going. The backs all deserve a special mention. Maybe ravalawa should be replaced by Pearson. And hopefully Lomax will get a crack.BEN HUNT MOM.

 

[Dragonsamy]

Lomax to 1. Dufty to impact from bench. Hunt and Norman in the halves. We need to replace Ravalawa but needs to be a specialist winger.

Pearson would be ideal

 

[getsmarty]

Sorry, I tend to avoid hearing that guy talk in any forum. So where does that leave Lomax and who kicks the goals, Mary?

Who knows...Lafai or Norman...

 

[getsmarty]

Corey Norman the ice man against old club as Dragons upset Broncos
Phil LuttonMarch 28, 2019 — 10.18pm

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New recruit Corey Norman has delivered in the clutch for the Dragons, nailing a field goal with 12 seconds on the clock to complete a 25-24 upset over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

The St George Illawarra playmaker rocked back and put his hands in the air on Thursday night as the ball sailed between the uprights, just a minute after Jamayne Isaako had missed Brisbane's only attempt down the other end of the field.

NRL Highlights: Broncos v Dragons - Round 3
The Brisbane Broncos take on The St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 3 of the NRL

But the victory may have come at a significant cost for the Dragons, whose captain Gareth Widdop was ushered off the field in pain near full-time after suffering what appeared to be another shoulder injury.

He required surgery following round 22 last year after a dislocation and re-injured it during his side's big finals win over the Broncos in week one of the post-season. This time, he dived on a kick near his line, only to lose it, have Brisbane level the scores and then leave the field in agony.

It was a moment to forget for the fullback but a strong win for the Dragons, who were under pressure to perform after being winless from their opening two games and coach Paul McGregor being forced to defend his new spine.

But Norman, Ben Hunt, Cameron McInnes and Widdop were all excellent against the Broncos, who were their own worst enemy at times with poor handling but were almost able to steal the points.

Match-winner: Dragons five-eighth Corey Norman lands the field goal that handed his team their first win of the season.Credit:NRL Photos

The Dragons had five line breaks to Brisbane's nil at half-time yet somehow found themselves down 12-10 on the scoreboard. If they were the side that applied most of the pressure, then Brisbane were the team that cashed in when opportunity arose.

St George Illawarra were spirited and energetic from the outset, prepared to take Brisbane on at their own high-tempo game. And after creating a minor stir during the week when he suggested Brisbane's halves tended to crack under pressure, centre Euan Aitken was influential from the start.

He carved his way through the Brisbane defence in the opening minutes and was into the clear, galloping 50m down the edge before his desperate offload found the sideline instead of support players.

Still, it was exactly what McGregor would have wanted to see and the Dragons didn't have to wait long to get on the scoreboard. McInnes scampered clear from dummy-half, then sold a dummy to Darius Boyd and it was 6-0.


Jordan Pereira made it 10-0 five minutes later when he dived over in the corner. Early momentum suggested the Dragons' hefty finals win here in September wasn't a one-off event.

Brisbane needed something to get them into the contest and looked a touch fortunate when Corey Oates raced over untouched after a lost ball from Mikaele Ravalawa. It was sent up as a no try, with the suggestion that Jack Bird had knocked it loose in the three-man tackle.

But the green light was given and Brisbane were on their way. And just before the break, James Roberts produced an instant classic to pierce some Dragon hearts when he plucked Widdop's kick out of mid-air and sprinted 90m to collapse over the line.

Whatever momentum Brisbane had going into the break remained in the sheds. They could barely complete a set when they returned and the Dragons were good enough to make them pay, with Ravalawa advancing the score to 16-12, then a Widdop penalty took the advantage to six.

Alex Glenn returned fire as the teams traded tries, before Korbin Sims smashed his way through the Brisbane try-line defence to triumphantly power over against his former club and plant it next to the sticks.

Isaako missed what he should have made up the other end, when he dropped one cold with the line begging. Anthony Milford had served it up on a silver platter and the winger was furious when he failed to complete the transaction.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 25 (C McInnes J Pereira M Ravalawa K Sims tries G Widdop 4 goals C Norman field goal) bt BRISBANE 24 (J Bird A Glenn C Oates J Roberts tries J Isaako 4 goals) at Suncorp Stadium. Referees: Ben Cummins, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 21,081.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/co...as-dragons-upset-broncos-20190328-p518py.html

 

[rednwhites]

Pearson yes.

Lomax from the bench doesn't make sense to me. Aitken was at his best tonight and Lafai hasn't done much wrong to warrant his demotion so centres are staying (even though I could find room for Zac).

Lomax doesn't belong on the wing but I'd get him in my 13 somehow. Hunt, Norman, Lomax and Dufty all on the field at once gets me excited.

 

[Dragonsamy]

Mixed emotions seeing Widdop do his shoulder again but it's always sweet to beat the Broncos in Brisbane after years of copping defeat after defeat at Suncorp.
Three soft / lucky tries and numerous ref blunders almost gifted the match to Brisbane so it was pleasing everyone play determined for the full 80 mins. I thought it was a stoic performance and the best team won on the night. Dufty's speed will be a plus next week and I think Lomax needs to be given more time and Ravalawa possibly less. Can't wait for Friz and JDB to return. We'll be lucky if we see Widdop back this year I reckon. Who's going to captain? Graham?

McInnes captain until Friz is back

 

[Dragonsamy]

Who knows...Lafai or Norman...

Or lafai