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Penrith's Frank Pritchard says key to success against Dragons is to stop Jamie Soward
By Josh Massoud The Daily Telegraph August 07, 2009 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...top-jamie-soward/story-e6frexnr-1225758744767
PENRITH'S human wrecking ball Frank Pritchard is adamant his side must shut down Dragons talisman Jamie Soward tonight to keep their faint dream of a home final alive.
The much-improved Panthers are treating this evening's CUA Stadium blockbuster against red-hot premiership favourites St George Illawarra as a vital indicator of how far they've progressed this season.
And Pritchard - whose consistent form individually has mirrored that of the resurgent Mountain Men in 2009 - knows exactly which opponent they have to stop.
"We've got to shut down Jamie Soward," the 113kg enforcer said.
"We learned that a couple of months ago when we lost to them (in round 12). "We need to give him less time and fewer options with the ball. A lot of what they do comes off Soward."
The headgeared five-eighth has been in sublime touch all year and is heavily in the running to win this season's Dally M best player award.
But The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Soward was in extreme doubt for tonight's game because of an ankle injury he suffered seven days ago against the Melbourne Storm. The 24-year-old, however, passed a fitness test in Wollongong yesterday and will take his place in the halves alongside skipper Ben Hornby.
Pritchard said Penrith back-rowers Gavin Cooper and Joseph Paulo would most likely target Soward in defence amid speculation Panthers coach Matt Elliott will make some late changes to inject more mobility into his pack.
There's a chance Pritchard might even spend some time at prop, but regardless of the final composition, Pritchard said Penrith needed to step up a long way from last weekend's Jekyll and Hyde draw with New Zealand.
"We need to play the full 80 minutes - if we play five minutes here and five minutes there, it will be a very long night," he added. "They are on fire - even big Wendell is scoring tries - so it's a true measure of where we are at. "It's also a big game for our season.
"We are still aiming for a home final and if we keep winning we might get one. We haven't had a home final since 2004. But if we lose we could drop to eighth. So it's a pretty crucial game - especially without Petero (Civoniceva)."
On the plus side, Penrith will welcome back their inspirational lock Luke Lewis after a nine-week lay-off with a broken toe. "He'll give the halves a lot of guidance and provide a few more options around the ruck for us," Pritchard said. "It will be good to have him back."
Tonight also marks Penrith's 1000th game since joining the top flight in 1967.A host of celebrations are planned - highlighted by a Golden Oldies match between Panthers and Dragons greats prior to kick-off.
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Penrith's Frank Pritchard says key to success against Dragons is to stop Jamie Soward
By Josh Massoud The Daily Telegraph August 07, 2009 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...top-jamie-soward/story-e6frexnr-1225758744767
PENRITH'S human wrecking ball Frank Pritchard is adamant his side must shut down Dragons talisman Jamie Soward tonight to keep their faint dream of a home final alive.
The much-improved Panthers are treating this evening's CUA Stadium blockbuster against red-hot premiership favourites St George Illawarra as a vital indicator of how far they've progressed this season.
And Pritchard - whose consistent form individually has mirrored that of the resurgent Mountain Men in 2009 - knows exactly which opponent they have to stop.
"We've got to shut down Jamie Soward," the 113kg enforcer said.
"We learned that a couple of months ago when we lost to them (in round 12). "We need to give him less time and fewer options with the ball. A lot of what they do comes off Soward."
The headgeared five-eighth has been in sublime touch all year and is heavily in the running to win this season's Dally M best player award.
But The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Soward was in extreme doubt for tonight's game because of an ankle injury he suffered seven days ago against the Melbourne Storm. The 24-year-old, however, passed a fitness test in Wollongong yesterday and will take his place in the halves alongside skipper Ben Hornby.
Pritchard said Penrith back-rowers Gavin Cooper and Joseph Paulo would most likely target Soward in defence amid speculation Panthers coach Matt Elliott will make some late changes to inject more mobility into his pack.
There's a chance Pritchard might even spend some time at prop, but regardless of the final composition, Pritchard said Penrith needed to step up a long way from last weekend's Jekyll and Hyde draw with New Zealand.
"We need to play the full 80 minutes - if we play five minutes here and five minutes there, it will be a very long night," he added. "They are on fire - even big Wendell is scoring tries - so it's a true measure of where we are at. "It's also a big game for our season.
"We are still aiming for a home final and if we keep winning we might get one. We haven't had a home final since 2004. But if we lose we could drop to eighth. So it's a pretty crucial game - especially without Petero (Civoniceva)."
On the plus side, Penrith will welcome back their inspirational lock Luke Lewis after a nine-week lay-off with a broken toe. "He'll give the halves a lot of guidance and provide a few more options around the ruck for us," Pritchard said. "It will be good to have him back."
Tonight also marks Penrith's 1000th game since joining the top flight in 1967.A host of celebrations are planned - highlighted by a Golden Oldies match between Panthers and Dragons greats prior to kick-off.
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