PRE-GAME Round 1 - Dragons vs Broncos

[holdzy]

How does that work? Feels like it might get confusing if your leaders get coached by someone completely different. Of course I'm no expert, though I was far from impressed with our attack last year, despite the points we scored.

Hopefully it's as simple as 'if you see him doing this, you do that'. So many bombed tries last year from basic shit. Fuckin' follow Milf and Kodi, Kodi and Milf follow the forwards.

I think Kev brings that 'it's always on' attitude that we ran with in '15. Became far too second guessing in attack after that.

 

[Browny]

Just win ffs

 

[Brent81]

NRL.com reckons we win by 12.

Sounds about right.

 

[Viti]

How does that work? Feels like it might get confusing if your leaders get coached by someone completely different. Of course I'm no expert, though I was far from impressed with our attack last year, despite the points we scored.

I’m guessing Kevvie is more of a skills coach for the halves and Jd is looking after the structures

 

[broncsgoat]

NRL.com reckons we win by 12.

Sounds about right.

I cant figure out how we arent favourites.

We were outsiders in the opening round last year against the reigning premiers, and gave them a touch up.

We are specials tomorrow night.

 

[BroncsFan]

NRL.com reckons we win by 12.

Sounds about right.

Win by 12 but then also finish below them on the ladder... experts logic 101

 

[Super Freak]

Dragons v Broncos: Dufty to wear No.18

March 6, 2018

The 2018 Telstra Premiership season will open with Ben Hunt taking on his former club as the St George Illawarra Dragons host Brisbane at Jubilee Oval.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday that Sam Thaiday will start at hooker despite naming him in the front row on Tuesday, with Andrew McCullough to come off the bench as he returns from knee surgery.

Meanwhile Corey Oates has been named on the wing for the Broncos after spending time in the second row during the pre-season.

The Dragons have been given special permission by the NRL to retire the No.1 jersey for the match following the death of Graeme Langlands. Matt Dufty will play fullback and will wear the number 18 jersey.

Tariq Sims gets the nod in the back-row after both he and Luciano Leilua were battling for the vacant spot during the pre-season. After Kurt Mann was considered as an outside chance to play in the centres, it is team-mate Euan Aitken who has been given the green light to start for the Dragons. Mann will instead play from the bench in number 16.

Dragons fullback Matthew Dufty has shown promising potential and has gathered plenty of hype coming into the season. Facing up against the experience of Brisbane Broncos Darius Boyd in the first round will raise an early challenge for the 22-year-old. For Dufty, this head-to-head contest between youth and experience will determine how he compares to one of the best in the game.

For Broncos to win: The Broncos rely heavily on catching teams on the back foot. If the Dragons are able to shut down Andrew McCullough’s kicking game and Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima’s running game it will decrease their opportunity of putting points on the board.

For Dragons to win: With the arrival of James Graham adding to an already solid Dragons forward pack, the Broncos will have to be strong up front to match their aggressive running attack.

Dragons stats attack: The Dragons averaged the most metres per game last season with 1,706m. The addition of James Graham will surely add to positive contribution to the sides running metres this season. The question will be if they can capitalise from that and convert it into points.

Broncos stats attack: Last season the Broncos finished 2nd in the competition for most points scored with 597 points, 24.9 per game. If their forwards are able to get them in good field position in attack then there will be easy opportunity for Milford and Nikorima to put some points on the board early.

And another thing: Everyone is talking about the Dragons halfback Ben Hunt facing up against his former club in the Broncos, where he spent the last 10 years coming through their junior ranks into the NRL and achieving representative honours. If he can become the long term halfback that St George Illawarra have craved, his lucrative contract will be worthwhile.

The Prediction: Broncos by 12

Jubilee Oval, Thursday March 8, 8.05pm

Head-to-head: Played 37, Broncos 23 wins, Dragons 14 wins.

Last five games:

• Round 24, 2017; Brisbane Broncos def. St George Illawarra Dragons 24-12.
• Round 22, 2016; Brisbane Broncos def. St George Illawarra Dragons 12-8.
• Round 6, 2016; Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons 26-0.
• Round 23, 2015; Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons 32-6.
• Round 7, 2015; St George Illawarra Dragons v Brisbane Broncos 12-10.

2017 points per game: Dragons 22.2; Broncos 24.9

2017 points conceded per game: Dragons 18.8; Broncos 18.0

Televised: Live on Nine, Fox League

Dragons: 18 Matthew Dufty, 2 Nene Macdonald, 3 Euan Aitken, 4 Tim Lafai, 5 Jason Nightingale, 6 Gareth Widdop (c), 7 Ben Hunt, 8 James Graham, 9 Cameron McInnes, 10 Paul Vaughan, 11 Tyson Frizell, 12 Tariq Sims, 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange: 14 Luciano Leilua, 15 Kurt Mann, 16 Leeson Ah Mau, 17 Hame Sele

Reserves: 19 Jeremy Latimore, 20 Zac Lomax, 21 Blake Lawrie, 22 Joshua Kerr

Broncos: 1 Darius Boyd (c), 2 Corey Oates, 3 James Roberts, 4 Jordan Kahu, 5 Jamayne Isaako, 6 Anthony Milford, 7 Kodi Nikorima, 8 Matthew Lodge, 9 Andrew McCullough, 10 Sam Thaiday, 11 Alex Glenn, 12 Matt Gillett, 13 Josh McGuire

Interchange: 14 Tevita Pangai Jnr, 15 Joe Ofahengaue, 16 Korbin Sims, 17 Jaydn Su'a

Reserves: 18 Tom Opacic, 19 Sam Tagataese, 20 Jonus Pearson, 21 George Fai

Match officials: Main referee: Matt Cecchin, Assistant referee: Alan Shortall, Sideline officials: Nick Beashel and David Munro.

Source: NRL.com

 

[Stix]

With Lodge and TPJ starting the instructions might be for a quick start with a lot of ball movement and offloads.

 

[Rhino1001]

With Lodge and TPJ starting the instructions might be for a quick start with a lot of ball movement and offloads.

It might be an attempt to tire out their pack to allow players like milf, niko and roberts to get more gaps.

 

[cakeGG]

We have won 14 of our last 16 games against the dragons.

All the morons saying we are no chance is just wishful thinking by them.

Fucking Sydney media wanking over Ben Hunt for some retarded reason. He never got this attention when he was at our club.

 

[Jedhead]

I'm predicting Broncos by 10 and for some reason I'm backing Alex Glenn to have an outstanding game and pick up MOM. I'm praying we don't have that Hadley dude talking mince disguised as commentary tomorrow night. He is pretty chronic with his pretend excitement that always come just a split second too late to be genuine.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

We have won 14 of our last 16 games against the dragons.

All the morons saying we are no chance is just wishful thinking by them.

Fucking Sydney media wanking over Ben Hunt for some retarded reason. He never got this attention when he was at our club.

Unless of course Hunt just dropped a premiership then they were very interested.

 

[winslow_wong]

Can someone explain the tpj at prop to me? I thought he was a future lock and didn't quite have a significant gas tank yet? Or is this just Wayne bennett season opening smoke and mirrors?

 

[BroncosFever]

I think we will struggle here, that St George pack is very formidable and you get the likes of Hunt/Widdop running off of their go forward, we will have to be at our very best defensively and make the most of our opportunities in attack.

 

[Cult]

Everyone is talking up their pack but that backline is one of the worst in the comp.

 

[Foordy]

I think we will struggle here, that St George pack is very formidable and you get the likes of Hunt/Widdop running off of their go forward, we will have to be at our very best defensively and make the most of our opportunities in attack.

Ours pack is formidable as well ... and we get Milf, Niko and Jimmy running off them

 

[Broncs_Fan]

Everyone is talking up their pack but that backline is one of the worst in the comp.

Backs are overrated. Game is won in the forwards.

 

[Splinter]

Can someone explain the tpj at prop to me? I thought he was a future lock and didn't quite have a significant gas tank yet? Or is this just Wayne bennett season opening smoke and mirrors?

He played prop for Australia U20s. Always been coming as a middle third player but I think he will be a ball playing prop