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Vaughan and Frizz in state of origin

J

j0nesy

Bench
Messages
3,747
twinkletoes said:
Both very lucky to get in...both have played very poorly the last 3-4 games
Click to expand...
Friz was looking good tonight before the injury but agree he was poor against the Warriors and Knights. But only two bad games.

Vaughan has been the best forward amongst a badly beaten pack these last 4 or 5 games. He was also playing well when we were winning.
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,237
Paul Vaughan focused on overcoming latest hurdle in State of Origin opener
Local Sport
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Focused: Paul Vaughan. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins.
It was shaping as the perfect season for Paul Vaughan.

The prop was in career-best form last year as the Dragons stormed their way through the first half of the NRL season, with Vaughan and teammates Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims and Jack de Belin rewarded for their efforts with NSW jerseys in the Blues State of Origin series victory.

After the Origin success, a Kangaroos jersey beckoned for Vaughan.

And then it all came crashing down.

The Dragons slumped under the weight of an Origin hangover before Vaughan injured his foot in round 21. A round 24 return was dashed when Vaughan suffered a new foot injury at training, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

Vaughan has made no secret about how disappointed he was with how 2018 ended. But now he's back in a blue jersey he feels it's made his return to Origin even more special than last year's debut.

"It's good to be back," Vaughan said. "I think it's a little bit more special this time with the injury last year and the setback I had.

"With how the boys went last year and winning the series, it was such a proud moment and really special to be a part of that.

"I definitely wanted to be back here. I had a bit of a setback and something I had to overcome and it makes it a little bit sweeter that I had that hurdle that I was able to overcome."

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Painful exit: Paul Vaughan limps from the field in round 21 last year. Picture: Adam McLean.

After starting games one and two last year on the bench, Vaughan was elevated to the starting lineup for game three in Brisbane. It's a position he finds himself in again in 2019, with the 28-year-old seemingly the only person in the NRL who did not expect coach Brad Fittler to select Vaughan in his starting side.

Now that he's set to wear the number 10 jersey, Vaughan is turning his attention to ensuring he's ready for a fiery opening 20 minutes at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.

Read more: Josh Morris eager to step up after earning State of Origin recallhttps://www.illawarramercury.com.au...er-earning-nsw-state-of-origin-recall/?cs=302

"I definitely wasn't expecting the starting position. It's a massive job and we've got a pretty good forward pack here too, it's obviously something special to be a part of. I'm not shying away from the fact it's going to be a very tough task, especially up there in Brisbane. The first 20-25 minutes is going to be very tough, but I'm looking forward to it.

"The start of game three last year was pretty intense, that was probably one of the fastest games I've played in. If I can have a good start on Wednesday night, get a nice early involvement in the game, I think I'll be sweet."

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...test-hurdle-in-state-of-origin-opener/?cs=302
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
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34,237
Vaughan, Frizell confident Dragons will benefit from week off
Dragons Den
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Eyes up: Paul Vaughan. Picture: NRL Imagery.

Fans and commentators may be lining up to write off St George Illawarra after an underwhelming start to the season, but don't tell that to the players, who firmly believe a top-eight finish is within their reach.

With the bye this weekend, the Dragons are licking their wounds after slumping to five-straight defeats to fall to 13th on the ladder.

Not receiving a week off are Ben Hunt, Tyson Frizell and Paul Vaughan, with the trio set to feature for their respective states in next Wednesday's State of Origin opener.

For Vaughan and Frizell, the chance for all players to step away and refresh after a challenging start to the season will ultimately benefit the side as they begin a push to the finals.

"For the boys to break up, get a couple of days away with the family, if they're travelling or going for a little bit of a holiday, it freshens you up a little bit," Vaughan said. "Then you can come back in when you're required, get the job done and look forward to starting the second half of the season strongly."

The sluggish start marks a contrast to the Dragons of recent years, with the side known for bursting out of the gates before fading in the latter rounds.

The prospect of a fast start was dashed before the season began, with Jack de Belin stood down under the NRL's no-fault stand down policy.

The challenges continued to emerge, with Frizell, Gareth Widdop, Korbin Sims and Corey Norman all spending time in the casualty ward before the Dragons were dealt a double blow in Sunday's loss with James Graham and Tim Lafai both set for extended stints on the sidelines.

Whereas the Origin period has derailed St George Illawarra's campaign in previous years, the draw has been kind to the club in 2019.

The Origin trio will receive an extended break before the Dragons round 13 clash with the Bulldogs on the Queen's Birthday public holiday.

A trip to Manly follows before the competition-wide bye and three games at WIN Stadium against the Cowboys, Storm and Raiders.

Frizell admits the start of the year has been challenging, but he's looking forward to finding an even more determined squad when he returns to Wollongong.

Read more: Josh Morris eager to step up after earning State of Origin recall

"It's been a difficult few weeks and probably something we haven't been a part of at this time of year," Frizell said. "Usually people are saying that we're flying and going to fall away.

"We haven't started the year too well, hopefully this break is a bit of a kick in the arse and gets the boys a lot more hungry to come back and prepare well and want to play well and get our season back on track."

While this week's bye will clearly benefit the wider Dragons playing squad, Frizell is confident it will hold more specific individual benefits.

With the Dragons not playing this weekend, Frizell can fully focus on his next challenge, overcoming the Maroons in their own backyard on Wednesday night.

"As much as you focus on club footy and what's going on there, we've got a break now so I can solely set my mind away from club footy and focus it all on Origin.

"It's a massive arena and your sole focus needs to be on Origin because any focus away from it can probably hurt you at some point. With the bye for the Dragons, I'm happy to not worry about how our team's going or what's going on."


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...t-dragons-will-benefit-from-week-off/?cs=3713
 
G

getsmarty

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cooper_webbaner.jpg



DRAGONS


Throwback Thursday: Dragons in Origin
Author
Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp
Thu 30 May 2019, 12:06 PM

With the 2019 State of Origin series just around the corner, we have taken a look at some of the most memorable Dragons moments in the Origin area.

New South Wales 9 defeated Queensland 8
Game One, May 26, 2004
ANZ Stadium

An extra time thriller unfolded in front of almost 70,000 fans at ANZ Stadium with Dragons star Shaun Timmins the man in Blue to ignite New South Wales to a golden point victory. Timmins also scored the Blues' one and only try in the second half, levelling the scores 8-all in the process.

In the 83rd minute, the Blues found themselves in field goal range when Timmins stepped up and slotted a 35-metre field goal to win the match. The ball looked like it was going to fall short of the crossbar but Timmins's boot provided just enough length to scrape over the posts and level the series at 1-all. It was just the second field goal of his career. NSW would end up winning the series 2-1.

New South Wales 18 defeated Queensland 8
Game Two, June 15, 2011
ANZ Stadium

After a stellar season leading the Dragons to the premiership in 2010, Jamie Soward was rewarded with a sky blue jersey in 2011 and the nifty playmaker made the most of his chance.

After losing the opening match in Brisbane, the Blues returned to a full stadium in Sydney with the series on the line. With four minutes left on the clock, the Blues claimed a slim 12-8 lead but needed a knock out blow to seal the match.

A Queensland knock-on forced a scrum 10 metres out from their own line where Soward then took centre stage. In his trademark headgear, Soward stepped the Queensland defence and charged toward the line before unselfishly offloading to Anthony Minichiello who dived over for the match winner. Queensland went on to win the deciding match in Brisbane.

Queensland 16 defeated New South Wales 12
Game One, May 23, 1994
Sydney Football Stadium

It is highly regarded as the best try in State of Origin history and it was scored by none other than Dragons legend Mark Coyne. In Game One of the 1994 series, Coyne finished off a brilliant length of the field Queensland try to steal the match at the death.

In the 79th minute, Queensland trailed 12-10 and had the wind in their sails. Starting within their own half, the ball travelled from edge to edge as Queensland quickly gained ground up field despite the desperate Blues defence. Allan Langer almost broke through before throwing a wild pass to Mal Meninga who offloaded to Coyne. Coyne stepped back on the inside of Brad Fittler and lunged to the line to finish off one of the great Origin moments. Commentator Ray Warren famously screamed the words "That's not a try that's a miracle" as a result of the play.

State of Origin 2011

It was Dragons galore in the 2011 State of Origin series with eight players spanning across both sides. Game One of the series featured a Blues team littered with Dragons stars. Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier and Jamie Soward featured throughout the entire series, while Dean Young, Ben Creagh, Beau Scott and Trent Merrin chimed in for the forwards. Queensland representative Darius Boyd also laced up during the series that saw Queensland continue their streak of Origin victories.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2019/05/30/throwback-thursday-dragons-in-origin/
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
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34,237
Vaughan aiming to add green and gold jersey to his man cave
Author
Dan Walsh NRL.com Reporter
Timestamp
Sun 2 Jun 2019, 10:01 AM
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Paul Vaughan wants to add the “missing” green and gold jersey to his Wollongong man cave.

First, though, he must square off with "The Hitman" and redeem a torrid Suncorp Stadium outing, as well as a late-season Dragons drop-off.

Vaughan will wear the sky blue No.10 jumper on Wednesday night and lead NSW from the front-row against his longtime ex-Canberra teammate and fellow prop Josh Papalii.

He did the same in last year’s dead rubber in Brisbane, in what was his first run-on game for the Blues. But he emerged with “only one carry in the first 25 minutes” as Queensland enjoyed a mountain of early possession and eventually an 18-12 win.

With incumbent Test front-rowers Aaron Woods (injured) and Jordan McLean (not selected) watching Origin I from the sidelines, Vaughan could force the Australian selectors’ collective hand with a strong series in the NSW engine room.

But having his 2018 campaign ended by ankle and foot injuries, and St George Illawarra stuck in a four-game losing streak, Vaughan offers a straight bat to start.

“I just want to get through Origin to be honest, and I need to be playing good club footy for the Dragons too,” Vaughan said.

“That’s the focus. We need to start winning at club level first off.”

One extra prod though and the 28-year-old conceded a Kangaroos jersey would take pride of place in his growing collection.

“I never played Junior Roos or schoolboys, no NSW when I was younger,” he said.

“It would be a huge, huge honour to play for Australia. It’s the one jersey I don’t have at the moment. I’ve got all my jerseys signed and framed at home, they’re all up in the little man cave I have.

“I’ve got Country Origin, the PM's XIII, State of Origin. So there’s one missing. I want to put a little bar in there eventually, that’s the other goal.”

Meantime, a familiar face, which for most is actually frightening, lines up opposite him in game one.

Vaughan and Papalii came through the Raiders under 18s and 20s sides before playing first grade together until Vaughan moved to the Dragons last year.

Both are enjoying some of the best form of their careers in 2019 and an Australian recall is not out of the question for Papalii either, who played the last of his nine Kangaroos Test in 2016, if he can maintain his power game for Queensland and Canberra.

“I’ve been watching Papa playing for Canberra this year and he’s looking great,” Vaughan said.


“I’d say it’s the fittest he’s been, the best I’ve seen him look anyway and his football is great off the back of that.

“We played a fair bit together as kids. He’s got that switch when he gets on the field. Off it he’s a great bloke with a beautiful family, get him on the field and he’s an animal.

“All the way through juniors he was known as ‘The Hitman’.

“Playing with him was pretty good, playing against him, not so good, obviously. You just have to cop the medicine sometimes when you run at Papa, but it’ll be a good exchange up front.”



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/201...to-add-green-and-gold-jersey-to-his-man-cave/
 
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