Round 4 vs Knights

[possm]

lafai

Lafai is nowhere near as good a goal kicker as Lomax.

 

[Dragsters]

Frizell closes in on Dragons return

• 
  
  Tyson Frizell could make a timely return from injury for the Dragons against Newcastle.
  Luckless St George Illawarra could be about to receive a much-needed boost with Tyson Frizell a chance to return for next Sunday's NRL clash against Newcastle.
  
  Paul McGregor's side are in the grips of a major talent shortage with skipper Gareth Widdop dislocating his shoulder against Brisbane and likely to require surgery, a blow which could spell the end of his season and his time in the NRL.
  
  With Jack de Belin suspended indefinitely, the Red V are without two of their biggest stars.
  
  However it's understood they could be about to get one back with Frizell a possibility to recover from a lacerated testicle in time to take on the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.
  
  After suffering the injury as a result of an accidental low blow in their season-opening loss to North Queensland and undergoing surgery, the club had pencilled him in for two to four weeks on the sidelines, putting him on track to possibly return next weekend.
  
  The Dragons were roundly criticised following their opening two losses to the Cowboys and South Sydney, however snuck home by a Corey Norman field goal on the back of a dominant performance by their pack against Brisbane on Friday.
  
  The likes of James Graham, Paul Vaughan and Tariq Sims out-muscled the much-vaunted young Broncos pack.
  
  And Vaughan said he took the challenge personally.
  
  "It was good. It was a great battle, the Broncos have a great forward pack, they're very powerful, we knew we had a big job to do and some of the boys took it a little bit personal," Vaughan said.
  
  "Which is good, you've got to make those challenges with yourself and with the other players."
  
  After hitting their stride against the Broncos, the injection of Frizell would only further bolster an already impressive pack.
  
  "The first two games we've started really well with the forwards," Vaughan said.
  
  "We set a great platform and then in the second half we fell away at times.
  
  "It was a big challenge for the boys last night and we took it upon ourselves to get the boys off to a good start, build a platform and go from there.
  
  "We know what we're capable of. We've got a great pack, we just have to do a bit more heavy lifting until some of the other boys come back."
  
  
  
  https://www.theleader.com.au/story/5982747/frizell-closes-in-on-dragons-return/?cs=13068
  
  P.S I sincerely hope that they don't play him too early...

Hector protector???

 

[Lovemedragons]

I would persist with Rava for a little longer. He has to work on his handling errors but has potential.
Mary will most likely play Lomax off the bench (stupid) but if it were me he would be in reserve grade until Aitken or Lafai gets injured or their form slides.

Yet to see much in Ravalawa to warrant a FG position at this stage of his career.

 

[Lovemedragons]

Goal kicking will he our issue to sort out over the next week and whoever it us will probably be rhe first choice for the remainder of the season. That being said we really only have 1 specialist goal kicker in Lomax. Lafai is ok but, given his hamstring I wouldn't risk him as a first choice. Norman, can kick but ir's not his go imo. Field is the other one who can kick, but his accuracy is a little off.

So, for me Lomax has to play, not only V the Knights but for the remainder of the season (assuming Gareth wont play again). Someone has to make way for him and unfortunately that has to be Rava.
So my backline and bench reserve (assuming McGregor sticks with the same policy) will be.
1. Duff
2 Lomax
3. Aitken
4. Lafai (assuming fit)
5. Periera
6. Norman
7. Hunt
14. Field

Field on the bench would offer an altenative 5/8 or fullback option.

Yes but swap 1'& 2

 

[BLM01]

There's a bit of pressure starting to mount on Brown,especially when if we can secure the two points.

No the pressure will really mount on the loser of this game..being 1 win out of 4.
The winner will be given a pass mark by their club
Mary has already used the travel / short turn around excuses for our 1st 2 game 2nd half fade outs.

 

[Dragons 09]

On what i saw from Newcastle yesterday, we should lap them. We've been pretty ordinary, but they were atrocious.

 

[Old Timer]

On what i saw from Newcastle yesterday, we should lap them. We've been pretty ordinary, but they were atrocious.

They will put Ponga to 1 and create havoc for us off the back of it.
Their edge runners last year fed off Ponga chiming in from the back and they have missed that, thus far this season.
Yes we should beat them but no easy assignment and I fully expect big improvement from them and they will attack our RHS big time.

 

[rednwhites]

Like to see Timm or Kerr in for Latimore. Give them game time now.

 

[Dragons 09]

Like to see Timm or Kerr in for Latimore. Give them game time now.

Kerr has a hammy twinge and Timm's just played in the reggies, went ok, but not ready for NRL.

 

[rednwhites]

Kerr has a hammy twinge and Timm's just played in the reggies, went ok, but not ready for NRL.

Still would like to see it happen sooner rather than later. McGregor has to bite the bullet and blood these players or we will never know. Lomax sitting on the bench or in reggies is a case in point.

 

[Dragons 09]

Still would like to see it happen sooner rather than later. McGregor has to bite the bullet and blood these players or we will never know. Lomax sitting on the bench or in reggies is a case in point.

Yep, no argument, the Lomax situation needs to be remedied immediately.

 

[Dragons22]

Won't be a simple game.
Knights under a lot of pressure, even though I never expected them to be a top 8 side this season.
Ponga looks set to go back to fullback, which is a bigger threat.
And they are at home.
Need to put in a bloody good effort, and win well to improve for an against.
Would be good if Lomax is in the starting side, because after Widdop, he is the best goal kicker in the squad.

 

[rednwhites]

I know McGregor sees it differently but Lomax to 1 and Dufty to wing or bench makes more sense to me. Having said that I feel Dufty will make the most of this and have a big year. Pearson needs a shot ahead of Ravalawa, he just seems a bit mistake prone.

 

[Frank Facer]

If Frizell is available, he should come in for Latimore, with Lawrie dropping back to the bench. It will be interesting to see who Mary drops for Frizell.

 

[blacksafake]

Won’t be easy with them playing at home & the expected selection of Ponga back to fullback. Ponga is deadly down the left edge & it’ll be interesting to see how we defend that.

 

[Dragonsamy]

Chance of an early return for Friz? 10-day turn could help us have him ready.

Yeap he already running at training

 

[Forster Dragon]

The Knights will smash us

 

[Crush]

The Knights will smash us

You said last week "our mob will cop a flogging by the Broncos".
I hope your predictions are consistent.

 

[rednwhites]

We may well win, we may well lose but there is one certainty, it will all be fo nothing. As sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, we will never win a comp with Paul McGregor.

 

[ALSGI]

Dufty to FB is a pure master stroke by our genius coach. Brilliant, visionary stuff.

I just wish I thought of that idea. He could potentially be a weapon and our leading try scorer from FB.

Does anyone know if Dufty’s played FB before?