Rugby League Round 25 - Saints v Penrith (Away)

Another game - another maybe 8.

Be interesting to see who plays. Aitken gone for season.

 

Wallace may be back for Penrith.

Packer back for us - and Milne to centre ?

 

SBS.com.au

St George Illawarra players are vowing not to let a widespread bout of influenza derail their NRL finals campaign.

The Dragons are two points out of the top eight heading into Sunday's away clash with Penrith, and will likely have to rely on other results going in their favour if they lose.

However they seemingly face a more immediate opponent in the illness which has spread through their camp in the past week.

Nine players entered last Friday's loss to Brisbane under the weather, and a large majority of the rest of the squad have fallen sick on the return home to Sydney.

Coaching staff opted against training the weary team on Monday, and forwards Joel Thompson and Will Matthews were amongst a group of players to leave Tuesday's session early.

"About 80 per cent of the team has had it," halfback Kurt Mann said.

"There are a couple of boys who aren't here today because of it.

"But everyone is on the mend I think it should be right by the weekend."

Tyson Frizell (ankle) and Nene MacDonald (knee) also missed training on Tuesday, but are expected to be named for the Pepper Stadium fixture after picking up injuries last week.

Regardless, the early competition leaders are taking a "no excuses" approach into their final two games against Penrith and Canterbury.

After falling by the wayside in the middle of the season, they showed signs of improvement in flogging the Gold Coast a fortnight ago before taking on the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

"All the boys have come to the realisation that's what has to happen," prop Paul Vaughan said.

"Sure, our backs are against the wall but that's why you play footy. You want to play footy at the end of the year.

"The boys are committed to playing finals footy, no one has checked out yet. Everyone is ready to go."

 

NRL Squad for Round 25 v Penrith Panthers:

1. Matt Dufty
2. Nene Macdonald
3. Josh Dugan
4. Tim Lafai
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop (c)
7. Kurt Mann

8. Leeson Ah Mau
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Jack de Belin

Interchange:

14. Tariq Sims
15. Hame Sele
16. Blake Lawrie
17. Josh McCrone

18. Taane Milne
19. Kalifa Faifai Loa
20. Luciano Leilua
21. Will Matthews

Players unavailable:

Kiti Glymin (shoulder) – indefinite
Levi Dodd (knee) – season
Russell Packer (knee)
Euan Aitken (shoulder) – season

 

Yes - they have been given more than enough opportunities Moto. In fact - the way things have gone - they should be well in the 4 - not fighting for the 8th spot.

I feel if they can get it going again - and make 8th - they may well surprise a few people in the finals.

 

NRL.com predicts: The Dragons' season is officially on the line but the Panthers are flying high and are eyeing a potential top-four finish – something that would have been unbelievable to comprehend after their horror start to the year. We'll tip the home side to make amends for the Round 1 disaster and make it eight-straight – ending St George Illawarra's season. Panthers by eight.

 

No - we win this one - then the following week - and its only 3 wins to the GF !

 

NRL Squad for Round 25 v Penrith Panthers:

1. Matt Dufty
2. Nene Macdonald
3. Josh Dugan
4. Tim Lafai
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop (c)
7. Kurt Mann

8. Leeson Ah Mau
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Joel Thompson
13. Jack de Belin

Interchange:
14. Tariq Sims
15. Hame Sele
16. Blake Lawrie
17. Josh McCrone

19. Kalifa Faifai Loa
20. Luciano Leilua

NYC Squad for Round 25 v Penrith Panthers

1. Zac Lomax
2. Jason Gillard
3. Reuben Garrick
4. Matheson Johns
5. Steven Marsters
6. Joe Lovodua
7. Tristan Sailor

8. Stuart Mason (c)
9. Reece Robson
10. Josh Dowel
11. Jackson Ford
12. Jayden Morgan
13. Brayden Gallagher

Interchange:
14. TJ Uele
15. Tom Angel
16. Matt Shepherd
17. Hayden Lomax

18. Jackson Willis
19. Trent Peoples
23. Dane Francis

 

Me too.

 

NYC