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  1. #1
    Super Moderator TITAN PETE's Avatar
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    Default Round 15 Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons

    FRIDAY

    Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons, 7.35pm at Suncorp Stadium.

    Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Dale Copley, Justin Hodges, Gerard Beale, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Scott Anderson, Sam Thaiday, Alex Glenn, Corey Parker Interchange: Jack Reed, Dunamis Lui, Mitchell Dodds, David Hala.

    Dragons:
    #itaintweaktospeak

  2. #2
    Coach Coaster's Avatar
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    If Broncos dont play there SOO stars, i expect Bennett and the Drag queens to make this public knowledge if they win, and apologize for SHORT CHANGING THE FANS
    Quote Originally Posted by Titus View Post
    When I am unable to respect and accept the decisions that are being made that directly affect my team, then I must take a backwards step.

  3. #3
    Titans First Grader Rage's Avatar
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    Default Broncos v Dragons preview

    NRL.com Wed, Jun 15, 2011 - 4:40 PM

    Broncos v Dragons
    Suncorp Stadium
    Friday 7.35pm

    Even this far out from September you can mark this game down in your diary as a turning point in the race for the minor premiership. Should the fifth-placed Broncos take down the competition front-runners they?ll rocket to just a win away from the top mark at the end of Round 15. But a win by the premiers would consolidate them at the top and consign last week?s defeat to the Titans as simply minor turbulence in their long haul to a possible back-to-back title.

    Broncos coach Anthony Griffin knows how important Friday night?s clash is ? he?s abandoned his pre-season plan to rest all his Test and Origin stars, in particular captain Darren Lockyer, the week after representative duties and has named a full-strength squad.

    Certainly the game has all the makings of the clash of the season. Six Dragons and five Broncos will, fitness permitting, back up from Origin, while the Dragons? Test winger Brett Morris and Broncos? Test centre Justin Hodges also make welcome returns from injury.

    The Broncos had a lucky escape at home against the Raiders last week, leading 22-nil with 30 minutes of play remaining but scraping home courtesy of a Peter Wallace field-goal in the third minute of extra time. It was their second win in a row after a hat-trick of losses to the Storm, Panthers and Sea Eagles that had a few doubters raising their eyebrows. Given their other recent win was over the hapless Sharks, and given the nature of last week?s win (albeit with an under-strength side), they still have some points to prove.

    Ditto the Dragons, who escaped with one competition point from their draw with the Eels a fortnight ago before the Titans overpowered their youthful but inexperienced team of back-ups with a flurry of tries in the second half last Friday.

    There are plenty of player movements in both teams.

    For the Broncos, Justin Hodges? return sees Dale Copley shift to the wing, replacing under-20s fill-in Dane Gagai, with Jharal Yow Yeh backing up on the other wing, shunting Shea Moylan.

    Corey Norman hits the bench for Darren Lockyer, Ben Hannant slots back at prop with in-doubt Nick Kenny (bruised shoulder) benched, Sam Thaiday is back in the second row (for Dane Carlaw) and Corey Parker pushes Jack Reed to an extended bench that numbers 20 players.

    Meanwhile the Dragons are almost at full strength, with coach Wayne Bennett calling on all Origin reps to back up, plus welcoming the return of Morris (for Reece Simmonds) and Kyle Stanley (for two-try debutant Alex McKinnon) from hamstring strains. Stanley will play left centre, with Matt Cooper sidelined for a few more weeks.

    Darius Boyd?s return at fullback sees Jason Nightingale shift back to the right wing (for Ratu Peni Tagive). Mark Gasnier?s return allows Matt Prior to slot back at lock. Jamie Soward?s return allows Nathan Fien to return to the bench. Jack Bosden and Michael Greenfield make way for Ben Creagh and Beau Scott. Blues interchange Trent Merrin hits the bench, alongside Adam Cuthbertson and Jon Green.

    The game marks the second match-up between five-eighths Darren Lockyer and Jamie Soward in two days; bragging rights from Origin could prove a decisive confidence boost.

    Watch Out Broncos: This is an entirely different attacking side to the one Brisbane might remember from their last clash in Round 21 last year (won 10-6 by the Broncos).

    For starters, whereas the Dragons scored twice as many tries down their left edge as they did on the right side of the field, that imbalance has basically been evened up in 2011 (19 left, 16 right).

    But the significant change has been in their attitude to second-phase play. Last year the Dragons averaged just 10.6 offloads a game ? the third fewest in the comp. This year they are the offload kings, averaging 14.4 a game. Spelling big trouble for the home side is the fact they concede the fifth-most offloads (12.5 a game). They?ll need to better that mark if they?re to inhibit the Dragons? roll forward.

    They also need to watch for a counter-attack should they turn over possession with an error ? the Dragons have scored four tries on breakaway plays, second only to the Cowboys? five tries scored.

    Danger Sign: Dangerous offloading Dragons include Ben Creagh (27 ? 6th most in the NRL), Mark Gasnier (25), Jason Nightingale, (20) and Adam Cuthbertson (19). If they are allowed to promote the play often it could hurt the Broncos, especially given they have three key forwards backing up from Origin who will be prone to fatigue at some stage.

    Watch Out Dragons: Brisbane love hitting the edges and have equal amounts of success both left and right ? but a shock tactic could gain them huge results. The Broncos have scored just one try in centre-field ? the fewest by any side ? while the Dragons have let in seven around the goal posts. The Broncos have scored 14 tries from kicks, the third most in the comp, so maybe hoisting the ball high in front of the posts might pay dividends. For the record, the Dragons defuse just 71 per cent of all centre-field bombs, the third-lowest rate of all teams. If the Dragons? defence out wide holds firm early, we say it makes sense to give it a go.

    Danger Sign: If Peter Wallace and Darren Lockyer go to the air as the preferred fifth-tackle option you?ll know the Dragons? back three are in for a torrid evening. Cross-field bombs are a weakness for the Red V too ? Morris and Nightingale have defused just 58 per cent sent their way. Overall the Dragons have let in 12 tries so far, the third most by any side.

    Plays To Watch: Darius Boyd sizing up the kick chase before looking left or right for Morris or Nightingale to return fire; Gasnier looking to stand up Gerard Beale; Soward?s short kicks behind the defensive line; Yow Yeh testing out Morris? defence; Hodges testing out Kyle Stanley with his trademark right-foot step, Lockyer fossicking for gold down extremely short corridors; both forward packs fighting fire with fire.

    Where It Will Be Won: Both packs are well-drilled units that should mostly overcome the fatigue factor, so they should basically cancel each other out. Which leaves some individual match-ups in the backlines as the focus: Yow Yeh on Morris, Beale on Gasnier, Hodges on Stanley, Lockyer on Soward. A moment, or a few moments, of brilliance from these guys will turn the game.

    The History: Played 25; Dragons 13, Broncos 12. The Dragons have won five of the past eight games between the sides, although the Broncos have won three of the past four. The Dragons have a remarkably good record at Suncorp Stadium, winning six of the nine games fought there.

    Conclusion: The Dragons have a lot of pride in their defensive record, conceding an average of just 12 points each game (fewest by any side) and will be hell-bent on limiting the Broncos any opportunities. They haven?t conceded 20 or more points in consecutive games since the Broncos booted them out of the 2009 finals series. (And good luck if you want to have a bet on that occurring here.)

    Meanwhile the Broncos? defence is the fourth best in the comp, conceding just 16.6 points each match. With two sides as equally matched as these two, that?s all there could be to it. The Dragons by four points.

    Match Officials: Referees ? Jared Maxwell & Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials ?Russell Turner & Luke Potter; Video Ref ? Paul Simpkins.

    Televised: Channel Nine ? Live 7.30pm (NSW & Qld). Fox Sports ? Delayed ? 10.30pm.

    * Stats: NRL Stats

  4. #4
    One Clubman Ryan's Avatar
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    Dragqueens got raped and received a referee performance usually reserved for the Titans! I have empathy, but no sympathy!
    The girl from the ring watched a highlights reel of Greg Bird, she died 7 days later.....


  5. #5
    Kangaroo Steelers's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ryan View Post
    Dragqueens got raped and received a referee performance usually reserved for the Titans! I have empathy, but no sympathy!
    I was there and I am glad that my abuse was justified.


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