Dragons vs Bulldogs Trial- Win Stadium, Saturday 23 February

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

NRL
v Bulldogs
7.30pm Saturday 23 February
WIN Stadium
Coach: Nathan Brown
1. Ben HORNBY
2. Jason NIGHTINGALE
3. Mark GASNIER (c)
4. Matt COOPER
5. Josh MORRIS
6. Rangi CHASE
7. Jamie SOWARD
8. Justin POORE
9. Simon WOOLFORD
10. Jason RYLES
11. Beau SCOTT
12. Ben CREAGH
13. Chase STANLEY

14. Dan HUNT
15. Kirk REYNOLDSON
16. Lagi SETU
17. Brett MORRIS

18. Stuart WEBB
19. Ben ELLIS
20. Ricky THORBY
21. Jon GREEN
22. Dean WHARE
23. Tony CAINE
24. Matt PRIOR
25. Michael LETT
26. Frank SAMIA
27. Mark HENDY
28. Jardine BOBONGIE
29. Jarrod SAFFY
30. Alex RANIERI
31.Joe FALEMAKA

source:www.dragons.com.au

Thats a pretty bloody good squad, with everyplayer bar Dean Young avaliable, hopefully the players can all get some good game time.

[Ryan]

source:www.dragons.com.au

Thats a pretty bloody good squad, with everyplayer bar Dean Young avaliable, hopefully the players can all get some good game time.

Still got Dell to come in later too.......
Where do you think he'll play?
His ban ends in May doesn't it?

[TITAN PETE]

Still got Dell to come in later too.......
Where do you think he'll play?
His ban ends in May doesn't it?

JIM BEAM CUP

He'll be in the backrow or at best the Bench because there is no way he'll replace Gaz,Coops,nightingale or either Morris boys.

[C-Whiz]

source:www.dragons.com.au

Thats a pretty bloody good squad, with everyplayer bar Dean Young avaliable, hopefully the players can all get some good game time.

Yeah, and hope Brownie can find some form.

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

JIM BEAM CUP

He'll be in the backrow or at best the Bench because there is no way he'll replace Gaz,Coops,nightingale or either Morris boys.

I think dell is actually going to be playing in the second row, so he might come off the bench and replace young, stanley and scott during the game.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Nah NSW Cup...

As for that side, decent squad and I reckon it will beat the Bulldogs tonight.. I just hope our boys give it their all and show some positive signs.

Trials really mean nothing in terms of scorelines, they are all about getting combinations right and gelling more as a side... so as long as the Blue and White do that and don't get any injuries, I'll be happy...

[Titanium_BD1103]

Here's the Bulldogs side:

From: www.bulldogs.com.au

1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri
3. Andrew Emelio
4. Cameron Phelps
5. Matt Utai
6. Ben Roberts
7. Daniel Holdsworth
8. Jarrad Hickey
9. Corey Hughes
10. Charlie Leaeno
11. Kane Cleal
12. Andrew Ryan
13. Lee Te Maari

Interchange:
14. Justin Tsoulos
15. Aaron Groom
16. Tim Winitana
17. Michael Sullivan
19. Heka Nanai
20. Danny Williams
21. Gary Warburton

That's a decent side... I mean it's only missing SBW, Armit, Tonga and Reni... it will provide a test for the Dragons that's for sure...

I am looking forward to seeing how Joey has helped DJ and Benny during the offseason in the halves and how they gel, as well as how the likes of Leaeno, Tsolous, Williams, Sullivan and Groom go for their new club... all have plenty of potential and should figure in the team at some stage in 2008...

Should be a good game.. GO THE DOGS...

[Titanium_BD1103]

From: www.bulldogs.com.au

BULLDOGS GO DOWN IN OPENING TRIAL
24th Feb 2008 @ 9:24pm

A mistake-ridden first half has cost the Bulldogs in their trial match against the Dragons tonight at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

Trailing 28-6 at halftime the Bulldogs managed to score four-tries-to-two in the second half but it wasn't enough as the Dragons came away 40-30 winners in front of their home crowd.

The Dragons had the luxury of having all their big-name players (minus Dean Young) available for the encounter while the Bulldogs were without troops Sonny Bill Williams, Willie Tonga, Reni Maitua, Daryl Millard and several more through injury.

Despite the weakened line-up, the Bulldogs got off to a flyer when Matt Utai scored early. The conversion was successful and the visitors led 6-0.

However the Dragons did not waste time in hitting back, scoring their opening try just minutes later to level the scores before taking a 12-6 lead after 11 minutes.

Leading into the halftime break the red-and-whites scored a further three times to extend their lead to 28-6. Their fourth try coming off a Luke Patten error in-goal and the fifth coming just moments before the break.

The full-strength Dragons were simply a class above the undermanned Bulldogs and after a promising start via a Utai try, the Bulldogs simply struggled to complete their sets.

Both coaches sent out new troops in the second half with Folkes deploying youngsters Heka Nanai, Tim Winitana and Gary Warburton.

Despite several changes to the Dragons line-up, they posted an early four-pointer in the second half to increase their already healthy lead to 34-6. However, it was the last points they would see until the final moments.

The Bulldogs then managed to grab to quick tries through Hazem El Masri and new recruit Danny Williams. El Masri converted both tries and the scoreboard read 34-18.

In a game of quarters, both coaches had plenty of opportunity to trial several positions and in the final quarter those changes continued as Folkes gave El Masri a rest and brought on 21-year-old Brent Crisp.

The tables had turned and all the momentum was with the blue-and-whites as they dove over once again for their fourth try of the evening. Daniel Holdsworth slotted the conversion and the Bulldogs were back in the contest.

With just under 10 minutes remaining the Bulldogs continued to push and could have found themselves in front had Heka Nanai controlled the ball.

The Bulldogs were digging deep and finding that ever-so-famous fighting spirit and with minutes to go they found themselves just four points behind following a converted try to Kane Cleal.

A late four-pointer to the Dragons put an end to the Bulldogs 24-point scoring streak and an end to the match as they took the game 40-30.

The Bulldogs will play the Panthers next Sunday at ANZ Stadium in their second and final trial before their round 1 clash against the Eels on March 15.

Tries: 5
Matt Utai, Hazem El Masri, Danny Williams, Kane Cleal

Goals: 5
Hazem El Masri (3/3), Daniel Holdsworth (2/2)

Good to see the team got through it seems unscathed and there were plenty of positives to come out of that, mainly from the sounds of it the good work by our new guns and some of that fighting spirit on show...

The Dragons were always going to be the classier side IMO in this one, but it was always whether we could fight it out, and we did, so I'm happy about that...the defense needs some work, but that will come with time.

For a trial, I'm satisfied with the result, lets hope we can keep improving against Penrith.

[Hoppy2007Dragons]

Don't know much more than the scoreline and some individual pieces, but pretty happy with that result even though its a trial, although it seems were gonna need to work on defence because we have always had the ability to score heaps but we let sides in with poor defence. Also i think Josh Morris is gonna have another great year.