Wests Tigers too good for Cowboys 30-10
March 23, 2008
WESTS Tigers defeated North Queensland 30-10 in a heated encounter at Dairy Farmers Stadium, with both sides having to be separated twice during the match.
Bronson Harrison was sin-binned for being third man in after an altercation broke out between Luke O’Donnell and Liam Fulton.
And Ash Graham could find himself in trouble with the judiciary after being put on report for a shoulder charge against Brett Hodgson with the Tigers skipper slipping over at the point of impact.
North Queensland dominated early possession pounding the Tigers line for the majority of play before the defence cracked and Graham went over from a Carl Webb offload.
The Tigers got on the board when Robbie Farah scooted over from dummy half for his side’s first points before Hodgson added the extras.
Hodgson then increased the lead to four points after converting a penalty awarded against Matt Scott for a late hit on Farah.
Chris Lawrence put the visitors further in front with a penalty goal before crossing for a try of his own in the 26th minute off a well-worked backline move.
With five minutes remaining in the half, the Tigers went 60 metres thanks to some good support work before Harrison pounced on the loose ball to score under the posts.
Ben Harris forced a Tigers error before crossing under the posts to bring his new side back into the contest after half-time.
Tigers five-eighth Tim Moltzen barged his way over in the 75th minute before Liam Fulton found the line in the dying stages to put the result beyond doubt.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens labelled the victory one of the best in the history of the joint venture club.
“That is one of our better wins and it’s certainly been a good start to the season for us,” Sheens said.
“We had a couple of busted key players in the side with Benji (Marshall) and now Brett Hodgson.
“The fill-in players, and by that I’m not being derogatory towards them … have done a great job.”
Sheens was impressed that his side were able to overcome the loss of Hodgson, who was forced to leave the field after suffering concussion.
“He’s got no memory of the game, he’s a tough kid,” Sheens said of Hodgson.
“He doesn’t like going off but he will probably need a week off.”
North Queensland coach Graham Murray was left to rue his team’s poor handling.
“We started off pretty good but we weren’t as sharp as I’d like us to be,” he said.
“I think we completed two out of our last nine sets. We have a lot of work to do.”
Golden Reign, Knights pip Manly 13-12
March 22, 2008
It was a golden point dream for the Newcastle Knights, long outsiders tonight against the Manly Sea Eagles at Energy Australia Stadium - Brian Smith’s men came home strong to expose a Manly side obviously missing the midas touch of Michael Monaghan in 2008 and yet to register an NRL win.
In a match played in slippery conditions, this game started as a penalty-a-thon with 3 fouls being blown in 3 minutes as Manly found themselves without a touch of the football until 10 minutes into the game. The warm-up not enough for the Knights, having four sets of 6 tackles on the Sea Eagles line and still unable to break through to score.
While unable to fully capitalize on the scoreboard, the Knights still got the confident start they wanted and continued to have a nice share of possession on the back of a well directed Scott Dureau 40/20 kick. The constant wave of Knights attack still proved fruitless, Manly looking rock solid in defence and the only thing troubling the scoreboard attendant was a Kurt Gidley penalty goal early on.
The Sea Eagles managed to keep their line in-tact, but they were obviously frustrated and jittery by the lack of ball and continued Knights enthusiasm - their chance finally coming in the 20th minute with a towering Manly bomb being spilled by Kurt Gidley - the Knights fullback impeded by a ’sleepwalker’ style challenge from Matt Orford. The Ox running through and not playing at the ball, simply closing his eyes and jumping in the direction of the catcher. Gidley spilling the pill and Ballin cleaning up to touch down, but the play was called back as Anthony Watmough was ruled inside the 10m during the catch.
The scores remained low as Newcastle controlled the tempo and executed a perfect play the ball speed that gave Manly no chance of ramping up attack temp and the danger of Matt Orford and Jamie Lyon was well and truly nullified. 6-2 to Manly at the 34 minute mark.
While the two halves were kept quiet with the ball in their hands, they had some success in the air. This time, Orford sending up a towering spiral bomb that skimmed the posts and made things hard for Kurt Gidley, the custodian dropping the ball again and Jamie Lyon running through to score an opportunists try. Manly somehow conjuring up a try from nothing as they looked dead and buried.
The continual arm-wrestle was broken briefly as Manly broke the line through Michael Bani - the flying winger showing his true pace and leaving fellow speedster Cooper Vuna in his wake in a foot race that burner up the right flank. While tackled by Wes Naiqama, the Bani play set Manly up to score a certain try but some how Newcastle kept scrambling and were let off the hook by a horror Jamie Lyon kick that sailed into touch on the full.
The second half simply saw the arm wrestle continue. Low scoring and both sides trading sets of 6, for Newcastle however they rarely looked likely to score. Their attack looking predictable and poor last tackle options cost them dearly as they tried to stay in the battle against the fancied Manly. The Sea Eagles were aided by a passionate Josh Perry, always in the contest and looking keen against his old club.
In th 56 minute, Manly looked to have sealed the win with an impressive try to winger Michael Bani - coming from sustained pressure and a Cooper Vuna drop on the flanks. Bani proving busy all night and adding to his pace was his positional play and impressive defence work.
As they did all night, the Newcastle men hung in there. Their forwards looked like they were doing it tough against the higher ranking Manly pack - but on 65 minutes, new buy Chris Houston ran a nice angle to hit the gap between Jamie Lyon and Adam Cuthbertson to score a much needed try on the right hand flank. Gidley missing the kick, but the Knights in striking distance at 12-6 in arrears.
Newcastle then staged several promising raids towards the end of the match but couldn’t link the final pass to get them over the line. Things were turned on their head however in the 78th minute with replacement forward Richie Faaoso charging onto a ball at full pace and steaming over the line, only minutes after bombing a certain try for his team. The redeeming play from Faaoso giving his team a shot at golden point and a miracle win.
Having that late ascendency, the Knights looked likey in golden point and only minutes into the first period - rookie halfback Scott Dureau potted a field goal from close to 40metres out - giving the Knights the extra time win and amazingly a 100% win record in 2008. The Sea Eagles on the other hand, yet to register a win and really missing the key weapon in Michael Monaghan.
More Penrith Pain, Raiders win 20-16
March 22, 2008
Canberra have come away from CUA Stadium with a gritty hard fought win over Penrith tonight, the Panthers as they usually do handing the victory to the opposing team on a platter. After starting with a promising and enthusiastic showing, the Panthers could not complete a set in the second term and gave away far too much ball to ever win the game.
The game started with a bang, William Zillman showing his blistering pace to slice the Panthers open and give the Raiders a runaway try - the early line-break exposing some miscommunication between Luke Rooney and Maurice Blair, Zillman blazing through with Wesser no where in sight.
With plenty of early ball, the Raiders looked fluid in attack. It wasn’t long before they scored again, this time a sweeping sideline to sideline movement - Canberra putting it through the hands and getting Bronx Goodwin into score in the corner. The try boosting Canberra confidence and showing glimpses of the true Green Machine. With this much ball and confidence the score could have been anything.
Just an interesting as the NRL game, was watching the emotional roller coast that Matt Elliott was riding from the coaches box. As cameras continued to pan over to Elliott the head coach could be seen obviously distraught and feeling every error as much as his player, his team looking ordinary early on.
While Canberra looked eager and enjoyed 65/25 possession early in the match, the Panthers began to see some ball and showed some patches of style themselves. With some field position at hand, Penrith through Waterhouse had a nice charge downfield setting up Reece Wesser to score - Wesser flying through to take a nice second man ball from Jarrod Sammut.
The Panthers were on the board and got a much needed boost. They looked like scoring again soon after, Penrith had the numbers and were certain to barge over - but Joel Monaghan smartly fouled Luke Priddis to slow the play and only cost his team 2 points as the Raiders held together long enough to repel a Panthers raid lacking a final touch of class. With the score at 12-10 to Canberra, it was a period where the game was in the balance. Neither side stood out and the arm wrestle started to play out.
Jarrod Sammut looked sharp at halfback in the first half, constantly lively and trying a few little things that kept the Panthers looking threatening. Sammut punching a nice 40/20 kick on the 29 minute mark to get his team the ball and Brad Tighe capitalizing to score with plenty of room outwide - Penrith getting the lead 16-14.
Matt Elliott would have been fairly happy at half time. When his team had the ball, they looked likely to score and Sammut was warming to his little general role mid-field. The Raiders made things easy for Penrith early in the second half, giving away possession and making basic errors at the play-the-ball to keep the Panthers on top.
As the game approached the 50 minute mark, the Panthers dark discipline problem crept in. Some failed set plays saw Penrith spill the ball several times and with some niggle in the play, the Panthers took the bait and found themselves on the wrong end of penalties.
Alan Tongue and the senior guys at Canberra really dug deep during this period. The game remained in the balance and while it was ugly football and worthy of a wooden spoon battle, it was the work-horses for Canberra that got them home. Points were at a premium in the second half and it wasn’t until Marshall Chalk scored off a sweet backlink movement from Canberra in the 53rd minute that points were registered and it remained that way until the end of the match.
In the final 20 minutes, most of the interest was in watching the reactions from the coaching boxes. Lip reading Matt Elliott and Neil Henry was much more exciting than watching the poor quality Rugby League on show. The Panthers dropping the ball at every occasion and displaying one of the worst completion rates of a half in recent memory, the Raiders unable to capitalize on the possession they had as injury and fatigue set in at their end.
The last play of the night for Penrith summed up their game, with a final chance to sneak home a final play error saw them cough it up again and total 13 errors for the second half, after only make 3 mistakes in the first 40 minutes.
Regardless of the quality, the gritty Canberra Raiders got themselves over the line and register their first win for the 2008 NRL season and consign the Panthers to more pain, as the men from the foot of the mountain scratch their heads yet again.
Souths Surrender, Dogs win 25-12
March 22, 2008
The Bulldogs were good enough to take full advantage of a South Sydney side still struggling to score points in 2008, as the Bunnies remain winless for this year - eventually losing 25-12.
The Bulldogs looked no chance of breaking their 2008 duck when trailing 12-0 just 20 seconds out from half-time, but three tries sandwiched around the interval had the visitors up 18-12 six minutes after the restart.
From there the Bulldogs renowned defensive wall clicked into gear, at one stage repelling the Rabbitohs for five straight sets as the home side looked for some way back into the match.
The Bulldogs showed them how it was done when Luke Patten raced over for the match-winner on the back of a Daniel Holdsworth inside ball, the second half comeback a complete reversal of their round-one capitulation, when they surrendered a 20-0 half-time lead to Parramatta.
The loss leaves Souths 0-2 and struggling to put points on the board without injured playmaker Craig Wing; coach Jason Taylor with more than a few headaches as he looks to come up with a winning combination.
Without the injured Sonny Bill Williams the Bulldogs started slowly, Souths capitalising on their dominance in position and possession when debutant Ben Lowe was turned back inside by Ben Rogers for a 6-0 lead after 19 minutes.
The Bulldogs kicked out on the full from the restart but it was a crucial call from the video referee that really hurt them, a knock on against the Bunnies changed to a penalty on review from the man upstairs.
Half-back Eddie Paea sliced between Andrew Ryan and Jarrad Hickey on the next set before crawling over the line for a 12-0 lead, the Bulldogs appearing dead and buried before their stunning form reversal.
It started with winger Matt Utai, who took advantage of a poor defensive read from opposite Merrit 20 seconds out from half-time before the pumped up Dogs went over twice in the north-western corner after the break via Willie Tonga and Tim Winitana to open the second stanza.
Broncos win again; Wallace the star 20-14
March 22, 2008
BRISBANE half-back Peter Wallace orchestrated a marvellous comeback to lead the Broncos to a 20-14 NRL victory over Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Wallace had a hand in each of the Broncos three tries and also landed four goals, two from penalties, as Brisbane overcame a 14-8 half-time deficit to claim a gutsy victory over the tricolours.
But the win may come at a cost with full-back Karmichael Hunt placed on report for an ugly shoulder charge on a slipping Braith Anasta in the 18th minute, which left the Roosters five-eighth with a badly broken nose.
Anasta returned to the field in the second half with his snout heavily strapped, but the bleeding continued throughout the game and he was finally sent from the field in the 77th minute with claret running down his face.
It was the second week in a row the Roosters were kept scoreless in the second half.
With skipper Darren Lockyer again starting off the bench, Wallace took immediate control of the Broncos, with his grubber in the third minute fumbled by Craig Fitzgibbon and falling to David Stagg to score the first points of the game.
Former Penrith half-back Wallace was in everything for the Broncos and it was his deft inside pass to rampaging Tonie Carroll just five minutes after the break which levelled the scores at 14-all.
Wallace booted the Broncos ahead 16-14 with a 20m penalty goal in the 51st minute after Roosters winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall ran behind Anasta in a blatant shepherd on his return from a deep Wallace kick.
Wallace, 22, provided another pinpoint kick moments later and winger Darius Boyd won the foot race against Anthony Minichiello to narrowly ground the ball as the Roosters full-back tried to boot it away.
For a team which has lacked a quality half-back for several seasons, the early form of Wallace will come as a welcome addition and add to the premiership expectations for the 2006 premiers.
And Wallace wasn’t just thriving in attack, pulling off an excellent diving cover tackle from behind on Willie Mason 10 minutes before full-time as the rampaging prop was charging toward the tryline with only Hunt to beat.
The Roosters piled on plenty of late pressure, but Kenny-Dowall was denied their only real chance when he was ruled to have stood on the touchline before grounding the ball in the corner in the 71st minute.
Lockyer had two missed field goal attempts in the final five minutes as he tried to seal the result.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett said Wallace still has plenty of improvement left after his first two appearances for the club.
“There are aspects he can do a lot better,” Bennett said.
“He has a lot more to offer the team than he is showing us at the moment.”
Roosters coach Brad Fittler was confused about the controversial first half, no-try ruling against Kenny-Dowall for an obstruction by Mitch Aubusson, with Bennett and Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer both agreeing the opposition was robbed a certain four-pointer.
“I’m just not sure of the ruling,” Fittler said.
“I think sometimes we make it look so easy they think it must be illegal.”
Fittler and Anasta both had no concerns over the high shoulder charge that knocked the five-eighth out briefly, with Anasta’s nose still bleeding more than half an hour after the game.
“I cannot remember it, but everyone told me I slipped into it a bit,” Anasta said.
“(Hunt) was very apologetic and I have no worries with (the tackle) at all.
“All I know is I have a lot of respect for him for apologising.”
The Grubber’s NRL Round 2 Preview
March 21, 2008
It’s Easter Friday and it’s nearly time for the NRL to get under away again, ‘The Grubber’ comes in early to cast his eye over the Rugby League games for this weekend and look at what each team needs to do and the key match-ups in each game:
Roosters v Broncos: Each team showed plenty of positive signs in Round 1 - getting healthy first up wins. The Broncos particularly impressed in the forwards and with their new halves combination of Darren Lockyer and Peter Wallace. The Roosters pulled off some great set plays and in a single word looked ‘crisp’. While fitness dropped off a little for the Roosters in the back end, I think the home game and the fact that Brisbane have a few injury concerns - might be enough to swing this the Roosters way. On paper the Roosters look particularly strong this year and their bench is something that now looks very promising, something that this week Brisbane don’t have to the same extent. Grubbers Comment: Roosters win this well, they could prove serious Top 4 material this year
South Sydney v Bulldogs: A Sydney classic here. Both teams play an in your face and aggressive style of Rugby League. Souths have changed a few faces and will start with their trial game winning combination in the halves of Ben Rogers and Eddie Paea. On the flip side, the Bulldogs have a way to go until their halves are match winners. While showing good signs early last week Ben Roberts and Daniel Holdsworth need more match time together. The forwards are the biggest concern for the Bulldogs, I feel that Souths will have too much dominance in their area and should lay the platform for a win. Grubbers Comment: The family of Steve Folkes have arranged for a heart machine to be installed in the coaches box, should the under pressure Folkes have to deal with another Bulldogs display like last week.
Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders: The battle of the NRL cellar here and two teams that will be desperate to get a win to put some NRL Results on the board. Penrith are a team that does play better at home and while this is at CUA Stadium, I think because Penrith were beaten so heavily - they will really come out firing this week. “The old NRL rebound syndrome - where punters always back a team belted by plenty the week before” it generally rings true; however Canberra cannot be underestimated. They chipped away at Newcastle last week and had injuries and bad luck not came into play, they were close to stealing a win. Raiders forwards might struggle in this one. Grubbers Comment: The Panthers have this week renovated the coaches box - doubling the size, allowing Matt Elliott to invite up to 40 assistants in his continuing trend to bring former players, brothers, mothers and cousins into the box to help out.
Newcastle Knights v Manly: After 80 minutes here, we’ll know a lot more about these NRL sides after interesting Round 1 showings. The Knights, were they simply lucky against a lowly Canberra side? And Manly, how in the hell did they lose at Brookvale to the toothless Sharks? The Sea Eagles should be too good overall for the Knights, but it will be a test for Newcastle to see if they can hang in there. I feel Adam McDougall and Cooper Vuna will be heavily targeted in the air and on the ground and could get found out in this one, with Steve Bell due for a big one and will love the broken field action here. Grubbers Comment: Josh Perry could be the one leaving on a medi-cab here, the ex-Knight could be a moving target in his former heartland.
North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers: Stirring up plenty of interest, not just because of the NRL being played but the fact that Luke O’Donnell gets to face his tormentors from 2007. It should have a bit of everything, one minute you will feel like you are ringside at the MGM Grand in Vegas should the fireworks erupt or maybe a UFC Prize Fight as the caged animal that is Luke O’Donnell hunts the running Liam Fulton or Bronson Harrison. This NRL game should not be missed. At home the Cowboys should register their first win of the year, the Tigers were helped last week by a woeful Dragons outfit - the same won’t happen again this week; the Cowboys will be primed for an assault and will get the 2 points. Grubbers Comment: Liam Fulton’s dad was seeking permission to take an elephant gun on the plane to North Queensland, fearing his son’s life could be in danger.
NZ Warriors v Parramatta Eels: A hard one to pick. The Warriors at home for this one, but were very shaky against the Storm last week. The Eels too look unpredictable after 2 very different 40 minute showings last week. Should be an engrossing battle in the forwards with the mobile Eels against the big bopping Warriors front men. The Eels backline aided by the return of Jarryd Hayne should have enough firepower to put on more tries than the Warriors. Manu Vatuvei should aid the Eels greatly in this area, he struggled to catch a single ball last week and coach Ivan Cleary is showing more faith than a long lost surrogate dad. Eels in a close one. Grubbers Comment: Warriors players have pleaded with Ivan Clearly to drop Manu Vatuvei; fearing their team mate may end up in a mental institution for life if he has to deal with trying to catch anymore high balls and then sit down and look at the review tape for hours each week.
Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks: The Storm at home at always certainties but if anyone can give them a decent challenge at the moment it’s the gritty Cronulla Sharks. If the Sharks can turn on their best grinding game and keep the Storm in the trenches, they just might sneak out of jail here. Cronulla will try to keep the game slow, kicking deliberately for touch of the dead ball line at times - forcing Melbourne to restart from set positions. However, the Storm have class across the park - looking unbeatable in the forwards and right through-out their backline. Just too good. Grubbers Comment: Ben Ross cleared to play after team-mates agree to point him in the right direction on each hit-up.
St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans: Well lets start by saying the Dragons can’t get any worse and playing their first game at WIN Stadium for 2008 should help them somewhat. The red hot Titans line-up does look good and showed plenty of promising signs last week, but the pressure on the Dragons is so great - they simply will have to perform. Forward battle should be intense, if the Dragons big men put their hand up after a quiet first Round. Saints in a close one. Grubbers Comment: If Jason Ryles is playing poorly in this one, expect him to get an injury.
Heat expected in Tigers kitchen
March 20, 2008
Just like the fans, the media can get a little bit excited at the chance of some fireworks in an NRL match writes John Chelsea.
Similar to the build up prior to the Souths v Roosters game last week, the Wests Tigers v Cowboys game in Round 2 is set to reach even greater heights. While the biff didn’t eventuate in Souths/Roosters game, the physical collisions and of course that prowler tackle by Riley Brown on Craig Wing demonstrated that these sides still held bad blood between them.
The clash this week between the Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys is set to get hotter, as for the first time since being injured - hard-man Luke O’Donnell comes face to face with his attackers from last season; Liam Fulton and Bronson Harrison. The Wests Tigers pair ‘wishboning’ O’Donnell last season and ending his season instantly. The damage so bad, doctors feared for Luke O’Donnell’s immediate future in terms of mobility - the hamstring actually torn from the bone in the sickening clash.
The possibility of retribution is so real, that Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens made a unique plea yesterday to the media to stop beating up the incident “As it does play on the players minds” said Sheens and the coverage could potentially cause the situation to be even more explosive.
The players involved have said little to the media, especially Fulton - usually chatty and jovial, he has certainly gone into his shell - not wanting to antagonize the beast anymore. You see the reason this could get ugly is because the man in question; Luke O’Donnell is quite possibly the only real hardman left in Rugby League.
Yes, we have our fair share of hard hitters or tough guys; but few are like O’Donnell. Seemingly a throw back to the forgotten era of Rugby League, O’Donnell will have no hesitation in physically lashing out should the situation arise. Unlike many of the players in the NRL today, O’Donnell doesn’t do the ‘push and shove’ thing - he hits first and asks questions later.
Only 12 months ago after a heated clash with Danny Nutley at the Roosters, O’Donnell went after Danny Nutley so hard that the new Rooster didn’t know what hit him and Nutley is no bunny - such is the fierce, ticking time bomb nature of Luke O’Donnell.
Adding spice to the incident is the fact that O’Donnell and Liam Fulton went to the same high school together and previously played together at the Wests Tigers before Luke packed his bags for the North Queensland Cowboys. Throw in a few other ex-Wests Tigers players up north such as Ray Cashmere and you have the ingredients for one hell of a clash.
It should be a blockbuster no matter who you support, sit back and enjoy the game from your living room and thank the lord that you are not Liam Fulton. A man about to enter hells kitchen and try his darnest to get out alive.
Hey Denis, hows Melbourne going?
March 19, 2008
Current NRL champions and Rugby League front runners the Melbourne Storm have left suburban Sydney teams in their wake as they registered higher crowds than several of the Sydney and regional games. The Wests Tigers, Dragons, Knights, Raiders, Manly and Cronulla all played their Round 1 2008 NRL games in front of lower crowds.
Every time Melbourne reach another NRL milestone, it means more people are laughing at Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald who has been trying to de-rail the Storm for years - yet only succeeding at making himself look continually foolish. Fitzgerald is rarely taken seriously these days as his comments and actions defy words, but surely his comments about Melbourne not being deserving of an NRL licence must keep him awake at night.
Not only have Melbourne successfully grabbed another NRL Premiership, they continue to make massive advances off the Rugby League field. It’s widely known how successful their coaching and management staffs are; their knowledge and ability sought out the world around - with UK sporting outfits chasing Craig Bellamy while in the UK for the World Club Challenge.
The Storm also set the standard off the Rugby League field. They are always first to keep NRL News up to date with not only press releases; but in depth club reporting and news, along with complete access to the players for interviews - they truly leave the other clubs well behind.
Melbourne Storm CEO Brian Waldron has naturally delighted at the strong crowd of 20,084 at Monday night’s Round 1 NRL clash against the New Zealand Warriors. Icing the cake for the Warriors first season win.
Olympic Park, Storm’s usual home ground, has a capacity of 17,500 and would have been too small to cater for those wishing to attend.
“We’re very pleased with the attendance at the game on Monday and it just goes to show more and more Victorians are taking an interest in rugby league,” said Waldron.
“In very hot conditions, the Storm fans turned up in excellent numbers, and we couldn’t be happier. Had we played the game at Olympic Park we would have had a sell out! ”
Monday night’s crowd is the third largest of any home game during the regular season in the club’s history, with only the Storm’s very first game at Olympic Park (20,522 v North Sydney, Round 4, 1998) and the Round 1 clash of 2000 (23,000 v Dragons at the MCG) topping that figure.
In terms of Round 1 crowds, the numbers at Telstra Dome clearly outstripped those at traditional rugby league fixtures including the Sharks v Sea Eagles, Knights v Raiders, and Wests Tigers v Dragons games. Of all Monday night fixtures played since the introduction of Monday night football,
ROUND 1, 2008 CROWDS
|
AR |
RD |
HOME |
AWAY |
VENUE |
RESULT |
CROWD |
SCHEDULE |
|
2008 |
1 |
Rabbitohs |
Roosters |
ANZ Stadium |
Roosters d Rabbitohs 34-20 |
29,386 |
Friday |
|
2008 |
1 |
Titans |
Cowboys |
Skilled Park |
Titans d Cowboys 36-18 |
26,974 |
Friday |
|
2008 |
1 |
Eels |
Bulldogs |
ANZ Stadium |
Eels d Bulldogs 28-20 |
25,065 |
Saturday |
|
2008 |
1 |
Manly |
Cronulla |
Brookvale Oval |
Sharks d Sea Eagles 16-10 |
15,424 |
Saturday |
|
2008 |
1 |
Knights |
Raiders |
EnergyAustralia |
Knights d Raiders 30-14 |
17,233 |
Saturday |
|
2008 |
1 |
Broncos |
Panthers |
Suncorp Stadium |
Broncos d Panthers 48-12 |
31,250 |
Sunday |
|
2008 |
1 |
Wests Tigers |
Dragons |
SFS |
Tigers d Dragons 24-16 |
18,211 |
Sunday |
|
2008 |
1 |
Storm |
Warriors |
Telstra Dome |
Storm d Warriors 32-18 |
20,084 |
Monday |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
183,627 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
22,953 |
|
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL CROWDS
|
ATE |
RD |
HOME |
AWAY |
VENUE |
CROWD |
|
|
1 |
Roosters |
Rabbitohs |
Aussie Stadium |
24,127 |
|
|
2 |
Titans |
Sharks |
|
17,946 |
|
|
3 |
Raiders |
Knights |
|
13,109 |
|
|
4 |
Sharks |
Dragons |
|
19,137 |
|
|
5 |
Raiders |
Roosters |
|
15,862 |
|
|
6 |
Cowboys |
Rabbitohs |
Dairy Farmers Stadium |
17,678 |
|
|
7 |
Knights |
Sharks |
Energy |
15,453 |
|
|
8 |
Titans |
Cowboys |
|
17,806 |
|
|
9 |
Storm |
Bulldogs |
Olympic Park |
14,066 |
|
|
10 |
Sea Eagles |
Broncos |
Brookvale Oval |
13,493 |
|
|
11 |
Eels |
Warriors |
|
11,160 |
|
|
12 |
Wests Tigers |
Eels |
Telstra Stadium |
22,245 |
|
|
13 |
Dragons |
Sharks |
OKI Jubilee Stadium |
12,455 |
|
|
14 |
Knights |
Raiders |
EnergyAustralia Stadium |
11,349 |
|
|
15 |
Broncos |
Wests Tigers |
Suncorp Stadium |
29,364 |
|
|
16 |
Bulldogs |
Roosters |
Telstra Stadium |
20,722 |
|
|
17 |
Eels |
Knights |
|
10,363 |
|
|
18 |
Storm |
Knights |
Olympic Park |
10,223 |
|
|
19 |
Broncos |
Eels |
Suncorp Stadium |
25,762 |
|
|
20 |
Wests Tigers |
Cowboys |
Leichhardt Oval |
17,101 |
|
|
21 |
Sharks |
Storm |
|
7,831 |
|
|
22 |
Panthers |
Cowboys |
CUA Stadium |
7,618 |
|
|
23 |
Rabbitohs |
Sea Eagles |
Telstra Stadium |
12,087 |
|
|
24 |
Dragons |
Eels |
Oki Jubilee Stadium |
13,488 |
|
|
1 |
Storm |
Warriors |
Telstra Dome |
20,084 |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
400,529 |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
16,021 |
So Mr Denis Fitzgerald, hows the Melbourne Storm going now? Or should they still be kicked out of the NRL? If you forgot what you said about the Melbourne Storm a few years ago, click here for the full report.
Nigel Vagana drops himself from lineup
March 19, 2008
South Sydney outside back Nigel Vagana has approached seniors players and staff at Souths and asked to be dropped from the Rabbitohs lineup for their game against the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
Naturally taking Souths by surprise, key signing Nigel Vagana spoke of his on-going battle with injuries to his back and hamstring that have prevented him from being 100% fit and being able to give the Rabbitohs the strike power they needed from him out-wide.
Vagana has had to manage his back and leg problem during the pre-season and at 33 years of age the former Warrior, Bulldog and Cronulla Shark finds it that little bit harder to bounce back from niggles.
It’s a bold move from Nigel and certainly the right one, asking for 4 weeks out of first grade to get himself back to peak fitness - Vagana looked well short on pace and thrust in the game against the Sydney Roosters and ultimately in today’s NRL, anyone playing at even 95% will get found out and cost their team.
Souths senior players have backed Vagana and conferred with management before coach Jason Taylor chose to leave the representative centre out of the squad this week. Such is the interest in the club and players at Souths these days, immediately rumours swept around as to the playing future of Nigel Vagana.
Club captain David Kidwell doubts that Vagana will walk away from the club and the game he loves altogether.
“Nigel told the senior players he wanted to have a few weeks off to get over his injuries and get fully fit, and said we were OK with that,” Kidwell said. “It was a shock. We had no idea he was in that frame of mind but I don’t think he’s going to quit or anything like that. He just wants to get himself 100 per cent fit and we respect him for that because he’s put the team first.
“I think he just wants to get back to being the strike player that he has always been.”
Vagana joins Souths new recruit Craig Wing on the sidelines, the injured Wing set to watch for the 3 months after that horror shot from Roosters hooker Riley Brown.