Seriously, can we beat the Dragons again?

[Hooper]

I hope that Flanno is able to get ET and some of the other 'old boys' into the Sharks change room for a pre-game 'rev up' like he did before the Round 2 game. That certainly helped

 

[carinashark]

Im not confident, Gards is showing a few mistakes under the high ball and they play mistake free football for 80 min. But that said im looking forward to watching how our halves go . Dragons have a great defence . Can Chad and Gards find a way in?

 

[roboshark]

Robinson

 

[Russell Crowe's Band]

Im not confident, Gards is showing a few mistakes under the high ball

yeah thats quietly crept into his game a bit of late.

i reckon he's jumping too early

 

[madunit]

Gards is jumping a bit early. I think he's kind of doing it intentionally to try and get a quick penalty for being tackled/taken out while in the air.

Smart tactic, but bloody risky to the side and his safety.

 

[Frailty]

Dragons 13+

 

[Mr Angry]

two words

The Chad.

 

[imasharkie]

Gards is showing a few mistakes under the high ball

Yeah I've noted that too. I always wish they put the high ball up to Stapo, he's the most competent of the three, but Wright is getting better. I can't see the Stains letting Gardner off the hook, they'll bomb him.
Who is Pomeroy marking, Cooper or Gasnier, either is big trouble for him.
I was hoping Scott wouldn't be playing, if he is, we are in trouble.
I'll be watching and hoping, miracles can happen.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Origins over, players are fresh.

You guys can win, but based on what we did to Manly with the circumstances as above, I'd say you won't.

Be full credit if you do, but its getting down to the business end and I think we'll be too good.

 

[_snafu_]

Sharks will lift, it will be a close game.

 

[Since 73]

WTF!!??

i've read 2 threads and can't believe the number of merkins saying they won't watch it because it could get ugly.

Here's a philosophy you can count me out of:
'I follow the Sharks - but ONLY when we win'.

Sure we shouldn't win - they're at home, over the cap, reigning premiers and toss the myriad of other excuses mentioned, but I'll tell you who won't be turning it up - Gal, J Smith, Gards and Dougie. Throw in a fair few others.

They'll go hard from whistle to whistle.

Go hard boys - win, lose or draw - make'em earn their points.

Fugg - I hope Gal don't read this thread.

 

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Anyone here falling for Flannos crafty mind games. Namely that Gal might not play because he needs a rest?

f**k me. He'd play us if it was the last thing he ever got to do and had to get off his death bed to do it. He f**king typifies the hate of little brother. He f**king hates us. I love the merkin for it. Thats why this derby being on a Monday night again is a f**king disgrace.

Not as much a disgrace as your club though.

 

[++ Gregos v.4]

Anyone here falling for Flannos crafty mind games. Namely that Gal might not play because he needs a rest?

f**k me. He'd play us if it was the last thing he ever got to do and had to get off his death bed to do it. He f**king typifies the hate of little brother. He f**king hates us. I love the merkin for it. Thats why this derby being on a Monday night again is a f**king disgrace.

Not as much a disgrace as your club though.

I heard there was a development in the Gal p|ssing scandal.

Apparently Gal p|ssed on a truck and it turned into Optimus Prime.

 

[Windy70]

We can and will win.

It will be our 2nd win against them
It will give us 5 on the trot
It will give us a plus sign on our PD

I for one can't wait for this game.

If it looks like we're gonna get flogged I'll just make sure I'm too drunk to see the final score.

 

[Feej]

I dreamed last night that we won 44-6! Woke up and was really dissapointed.

 

[St_Jubbsy]

Anyone here falling for Flannos crafty mind games. Namely that Gal might not play because he needs a rest?

f**k me. He'd play us if it was the last thing he ever got to do and had to get off his death bed to do it. He f**king typifies the hate of little brother. He f**king hates us. I love the merkin for it. Thats why this derby being on a Monday night again is a f**king disgrace.

Not as much a disgrace as your club though.

Agreed Ronnie, we should refuse to go or watch it as retribution!

 

[Ausguy]

I dreamed last night that we won 44-6! Woke up and was really dissapointed.

Any sheet damage?

 

[Weaponhead]

The teams that beat the Dragons dominate them physically to take away their discipline. In round 2 Snow, Gallen and Smith bashed them and they went away from the structures. Canberra have been relatively successful aganst them with this approach as well.

We really need a fit Snow for this one to intimidate their pack. Without him we lack a bit of size.

For us to win we need to be aggresive and direct to overpower them up front. Turn it into a physical battle to put them off their game. If we try to get into a standard grind they will win every time. They are too structured and they will get the rub of the green at home.

They will be very motivated with Origin over to get themselves into finals shape. This is a big test for us to see if we can lift to finals level intensity.

 

[++ Gregos v.4]

I think the "bashing" theory is a little simplistic. FTR, Manly tried it and it didn't work.

I agree that Costigan and Smith leaving the Stains has left them without that hard edge, but I think suggesting they're soft is a little dangerous.

The Saints are a very patient team. I reckon it will be won and lost on our kicking game, personally which is a cliche in itself. But their back three are so good at covering ground and on their exchanges amongst each other in their own 20 that their whole set relies on those first two tackles.

Chad's attacking kicks have been wonderful in his five games, but he still has a long way to go for his defensive kicks in general play. He'll get there... but this will be a massive test.

 

[Vin Fizz]

I think the "bashing" theory is a little simplistic. FTR, Manly tried it and it didn't work.

I agree that Costigan and Smith leaving the Stains has left them without that hard edge, but I think suggesting they're soft is a little dangerous.

The Saints are a very patient team. I reckon it will be won and lost on our kicking game, personally which is a cliche in itself. But their back three are so good at covering ground and on their exchanges amongst each other in their own 20 that their whole set relies on those first two tackles.

Chad's attacking kicks have been wonderful in his five games, but he still has a long way to go for his defensive kicks in general play. He'll get there... but this will be a massive test.

Yeah agree 100% Gregos. The key is making them score long range tries and the Chadsters kicking game is critical to achieving that. Pressure on Soward for mine!. Would like to see one of the back rowers rush him Pricey style. Couple that with a forward pack hell bent and keeping the Red V in their won 30 no matter what and we may be ok. Will need scrambling defence for the inevitable break so everyone has to turn up with their A defensive game also. Not sure where I points will come from. I guess offloads on the fringes to get behind the line and feed a flying back. Suspect we will bomb though.

The Stains will just play until we make an error then pounce.

Prediction: game in the balance with 10 to go. The team with the best composure will come up trumps against a fatigued defence.
Sharks by 4: