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
So I suppose results last weekend went the Dragons' way, esp the Raiders losing? That was a quite a game, though, between the Panthers and the Raiders.
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.
certainly exciting to watch although Sticky didn't get anything out of it. If the Dragons don't deliver a performance against the Choccy soldiers like they did in game 1 then they can book their end of season vacations....if they haven't already
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.
As much as I believe that will be the result I am going for a close win at Pepper Park.......by the Dragons but then what would I know
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
Good to see the Dragons get their act together a lot better against the in form Choccies. Vaughan and Sims played hard and were pivotal in both defence and attack. The Dragons are still using that crappy defend on the retreat defence and made more work for themselves because at the end of virtually every set the Choccy soldiers were attacking in the Dragons 30 metre zone or even closer. If they use that same style defence next week the Dodgies will run them ragged . The last play kicking needs a bit of work too. I think only one 6th tackle kick landed in the open and required more than two steps from the defender to catch it. Jack always said to kick to where the seagulls were and that analogy still rings true today