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BroncoKiwi
Match of the Round - Round 26
September 4th 2008 09:03
Category: Opinion
Roosters v Dragons
By Matthew Johns
7.35pm Friday
The weekends action throws up so many must see matches, it is near impossible to choose the Match of the Round. With the stuttering Broncos taking on the surging Knights, the fading Roosters matching it with the persistent Dragons and the desperate Warriors clashing with the oh so close Eels. Who do you choose…
I have to go with the St George Illawarra Dragons match against the Sydney Roosters.
The Tri-colours had the making of this year’s championship winning team. They had a forward pack that wouldn’t look out of place in the Australian side, with past and present representatives spread throughout the team . Their line up was arguably the envy of most NRL coaches. But following an outstanding start to the season, they have recorded increasingly poor performances when least expected, and as I’m sure Brad Fittler would agree, when it was least needed. With losses against the Titans, Raiders and Eels in fairly quick succession, it looked like the wheels were coming off. They scrapped home against the Rabbitohs during the round after starting so promisingly. Willie Mason seems to have clocked off - they need him to switch back on again or else they will become easy pickings for the other Finals bound teams.
It looks like Fittlers gamble of stripping the captaincy from Craig Fitzgibbon and handing it to Braith Anasta may have paid off, with Fitzy stepping up a gear both in training and on the field.
This last round match up against a Dragons side who look like they are on a mission is supremely important to the Roosters. Not only for their confidence, but also to ensure the Broncos don’t leap frog them on the table to steal a home ground Semi in the upcoming Finals series.
They will be grateful the dynamo Mark Minichiello is back in the number 1 jersey. Hopefully to add a little spark to a side in desperate need of it.
The Dragons are on a role and though Mark Gasnier may not be at his usual best, he is still the top centre in the game. Matt Cooper may have something to say about that with what I believe to be the most accurate angle running attack I’ve seen in years. He makes whole defensive lines look like they are standing still.
Big Wendell Sailor too is loving his time back in the NRL, and will be looking to step up another notch this Friday night.
So much can happen this weekend. The Roosters can secure their fourth spot and not worry about other results, but gee if they lose this one they will be sweating on the result of the Broncos match being played at the same time. If the Dragons win they will move out of the hot zone of 7th and 8th. No one wants to be there – everything is stacked against you in the finals series. In fact if a few results go their way they could even sneak into the home semi spot.
This is going to be a cracker…
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