Tigers: observations

[Godz Illa]

Beatable. Their defence can be leaky, and if we make as many line breaks as the Broncos then we will win. But their confidence stems from their attack. Fast dummy half runs with quick play the balls suck the defence in, then they go three wide to Marshall and Hodgson with space out wide. Very similar to Parramatta in that sense, however the Eels only troubled us when they added second-phase play into the mix. Wests are capable of offloads, but we have the forwards to limit them.

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

The thing with the line-breaks is that our scrambling is first class. Each time our line was breached the options for the guy with the ball were shut down leaving a one on one tackle that had to be, and was, made.

I agree though, if you guys make the number of line-breaks the Broncos made in the first half, we'll be trying to peg back 20 points in the second half because you'll have more numbers backing up than the Broncos at the break. We really need to stiffen that this week and not allow you to break the line.

Interesting game, to say the least.

 

[Willow]

Tigers are a very good side who have every reason to think they can win it.

In round 16 they beat us in the halves (we didnt have any) and Scott Prince had a free run. I know Benji Marshall and Brett Hodgson are the talk of the town and they'll need to be well marked. But I rate Prince as the main danger. Don't let him run.

We seem to have an advantage in the forwards - on paper anyway. Our blokes should have the goods up front to at least equal them.

 

[wolverine]

One of the main differences between the Tigers and Dragons forwards is the mobility. Many people counted out the Tigers for many reasons this season, one of them being that their forwards were seen as "too small". But instead their forwards have been an integral part of their success. The Tigers are brimming with confidence and from what i saw at the Dragons V Sharks game the Dragons were a little nervy. Should be an interesting clash

 

[brokendigit]

This is going to be a cracker...

Stats & previous results would indicate that this is a very winnable game - for both sides.

If Saints shut down the ruck area, Tigers errors will follow. However, if we don't dominate in the forwards, they will frustrate us into errors in defence.
Their offloads will happen, but we need to make that they are being forced backwards when they do...

 

[miketyson]

Yeah it's going to be a great game!

From what I saw yesterday if the tigers left hand side defence gives Gasnier the same amount of room they gave tate it could be lights out.

 

[gregstar]

i think it will come back to the ref.

if slow play-the-balls are the norm, the tigers will win.

we rely on a power game courtesy of quick ruck clearance.

 

[smeghead]

I think alot hinges on Gasnier. If he is in a passing mood he is difficult to read. However if he reverts to his "me me me" game he is easy to control

 

[Godz Illa]

I think alot hinges on Gasnier. If he is in a passing mood he is difficult to read. However if he reverts to his "me me me" game he is easy to control

I know what you're trying to say, but Gasnier is never easy to control. He can be controlled, but it requires absolute concentration, technique and timing. It should be a great battle with Whatuira, who is a terrific defensive centre and more than up to the task.

 

[Wobbygong]

Just sit back and try to enjoy it, it will be a ripper of a game.

West Tigers are awesome I love watching them, we will need to be at our best to match them.

The week off really concerns me!

 

[wildmooka]

This game will be an absolute pearler. I'm expecting defence to dominate. I fit gets down to a scrap in the last 20 mins, I think our goal-line defence can get us home...just!

 

[gorilla]

Dragons have relied on a strong dominating tackle approach - every player on his back with two defenders to peel off as suits the field position (quick at their end, slow otherwise).

If we can do this again, it will herlp nullify quick play the balls by the Tiges.

 

[Tim Brasher]

Gasnier has hurt us on a number of occasions. I think he would have scored over 10 tries in the teams last 5 encounters. Having said that we ned to shut the attack down before he gets those opportunities and make sure he gets scrappy ball. Will be a great game of footy though

 

[glory79]

The thing that is in Saints favour is that the tigers havent won a tight game recently; they have all been by big scores. They lost to Penrith and Melbourne in tight games, whereas the dragons have done both: Win big and win tight games. If it comes down to a 6 point margin with ten to go, the dragons will have the confidence to knuckle down and win. Question marks as to whether the tigers can.

 

[Hollywood]

I don't think there should be a problem for the Dragons, provided we hold the ball and complete our sets of six. If we hold the ball we will get field position, our forwards will be too strong for the Tigers and we will mount attack after attack to obtain dangersou field position, even outwide with Creagh and Thommo we will smash through their back row, and if we do that, the space for Coops and Gas should be enough to create loads of trying scoring opportunities.

I don't think the Tigers can hold up for long against field position and repeat sets of six, that's the key to winning the game. Broncos yesterday just could not hold the ball long enough to get repeat sets at the crucial part of the game.

If we control the ball, the field position will come, if the field position comes the points will come, Tigers will have less petrol to attack for all the honest defending they will be required to do, which will take the starch out of their attack. I also think the Dragons have enough quality to make line breaks of their own from 40 metres out.

Ofcourse I can only see the Dragons losing this themselves, as opposed to the Tigers winning the game. If the Dragons want to win the game they can, if they drop the ball then they will be inviting the tigers right into the contest. Obviously the major worry for Dragins are the quick dummy half runs, but I'm certain that area is stiff enough to keep that under control.

The Tigers best chance is an off their game Dragons performance, and if the scores are close at the end, the Tigers are cappable of getting on a roll, they will probably come home with it.

Either way, I think the Tigers will have played their GF this coming weekend, and should they make the GF, they will probably turn in a below par performance in the GF.

 

[axl rose]

I don't think there should be a problem for the Dragons, provided we hold the ball and complete our sets of six. If we hold the ball we will get field position, our forwards will be too strong for the Tigers and we will mount attack after attack to obtain dangersou field position, even outwide with Creagh and Thommo we will smash through their back row, and if we do that, the space for Coops and Gas should be enough to create loads of trying scoring opportunities.

I don't think the Tigers can hold up for long against field position and repeat sets of six, that's the key to winning the game. Broncos yesterday just could not hold the ball long enough to get repeat sets at the crucial part of the game.

If we control the ball, the field position will come, if the field position comes the points will come, Tigers will have less petrol to attack for all the honest defending they will be required to do, which will take the starch out of their attack. I also think the Dragons have enough quality to make line breaks of their own from 40 metres out.

Ofcourse I can only see the Dragons losing this themselves, as opposed to the Tigers winning the game. If the Dragons want to win the game they can, if they drop the ball then they will be inviting the tigers right into the contest. Obviously the major worry for Dragins are the quick dummy half runs, but I'm certain that area is stiff enough to keep that under control.

The Tigers best chance is an off their game Dragons performance, and if the scores are close at the end, the Tigers are cappable of getting on a roll, they will probably come home with it.

Either way, I think the Tigers will have played their GF this coming weekend, and should they make the GF, they will probably turn in a below par performance in the GF.

Dead set biggest bunch of trash ive ever read, thanx for the laugh though.

 

[Willow]

i think it will come back to the ref.

if slow play-the-balls are the norm, the tigers will win.

we rely on a power game courtesy of quick ruck clearance.

According to a thread in the NRL forum, Tim Mander is the ref.

Apparently the other choice was Steven Clark.

 

[Mr Saab]

The thing that is in Saints favour is that the tigers havent won a tight game recently; they have all been by big scores. They lost to Penrith and Melbourne in tight games, whereas the dragons have done both: Win big and win tight games. If it comes down to a 6 point margin with ten to go, the dragons will have the confidence to knuckle down and win. Question marks as to whether the tigers can.

those games were not close...dont let the scoreline fool you.

Anyway, i think the Dragons will win this game and end their 5 GF losing streak.

 

[Godz Illa]

Anyway, i think the Dragons will win this game and end their 5 GF losing streak.

I love you so much right now Saab. Just do me a favour, dont put it in your sig.

 

[Mr Saab]

keep that love to your beloved Dragons Mr Godz Illa ;-)

I wont put it in my sig...my sig is the touch of death and mock!!!!!!!!!