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Now on to the game, it was a contest that had it all. A war of attrition, with the babies from Dragon town up against the might of golliath like Brisbane – coming off a 71-6 thumping of Newcastle.
After a nervous start, the Dragons weathered the early Broncos onslaught to gradually get into the game. Enthusiastic and patient play from the Dragons, saw them gain set after set – content to play simple and gain repeat sets off the Jamie Soward boot.
Soward was like a Saints old boy. Looking very comfortable in the half back role, his team mates responding to his calls and a five eighth beside him in Rangi Chase – who played nicely in unicen.
With Cooper in a livewire mood outwide, the Dragons when they got a glimpse of the opposition line – played expansive. Nightingale was solid outside Cooper and at the back Josh Morris was outstanding. Morris defused everything the Broncos sent his way, and was damaging whenever he chimed into the backline.
Injuries really hampered the Broncos efforts, with Darren Lockyer sustaining a painful back injury from the accidental knees of Adam Peek. Lockyer was in agony, and left the field for the remainder of the match – however soft tissue damage is the diagnosis and he should be fine for Origin in the coming weeks. The Broncos also had scares with Karmichael Hunt hurting his arm and Ennis also looking to be struggling with injury.
The Saints had injuries of their own, with standout Simon Woolford copping the stray boots of a linesmen – with the ‘studding’ ripping the flesh from Woolford’s head. Woolford left the field in a bath of blood, the hard working hookers face barely recognisable under the cover of claret.
The young Dragons held on grimly at the end, with new buy Jamie Soward managing to secure a medium range field goal to ensure the Saints won the war. It’s been a whirlwind few days for Jamie Soward, with the young half changing clubs – moving from Bondi to Kogorah and looking like a true professional.
In post match, Wayne Bennett was back to his introverted self. The grandfather of NRL didn’t give much away, but did admit to “not being frustrated anymore – but now angry” Bennett snapped.
Its a tough period still ahead for the Broncos with Origin committments meaning more time away for big name stars.
