CURRENT POS: 5 POINTS: 25
vs
CURRENT POS: 1 POINTS: 34
Panthers v Dragons | CUA Stadium, Penrith | Fri, 7 Aug 2009 19:35
A huge game for both sides, with the table-topping Dragons not wanting to take their foot off the pedal as they cruise towards their first minor premiership since the stand-alone St George side achieved the feat in 1985.
Meanwhile Matthew Elliott’s Panthers can’t afford an exhale just yet – their good form has elevated them to fifth on the NRL ladder on 25 points, but given the eighth-placed Knights are just a point away a defeat could prove catastrophic in their bid for finals football.
The home side have rebounded strongly since their drubbing at the hands of the Rabbitohs in Round 18. They smashed the Raiders, then surprised plenty with a gutsy defeat of the Cowboys in Townsville before steaming home to grab one competition point in a thrilling 32-all draw with the Warriors at CUA Stadium last week.
The fact they trailed the out-of-sorts Warriors 32-6 with 27 minutes remaining is a worry – but the way they blitzed back into the contest can only be a positive as the side has now proven they can overcome extreme adversity. And from that comes confidence.
Importantly, star lock Luke Lewis, sidelined with a broken toe since Round 13, has been named in jersey no.19 and is expected to get good game time subject to a late fitness test.
The Dragons showed their mettle against the Storm last week, overturning a 12-4 scoreline late in the second half to accelerate away from an in-form Melbourne in the second stanza to run out comfortable 26-12 winners.
They’ve now won six in a row and would seem on track for the minor premiership, or at worst, second place after the regular rounds.
They are strengthened for this game with the return from injury of key duo, centre Matt Cooper and lock Jeremy Smith, who help form a six-man bench.
The History
Played 20; Panthers 6, Dragons 14. The Dragons have won six of the past eight including the past five in a row. The Panthers haven’t beaten the Dragons since a nail-biting 13-12 win in Wollongong in 2006. But the Panthers’ record at home is much better, winning 50 per cent of the 10 encounters at CUA Stadium.
Conclusion
Just how much last week’s crucial game took out of the Dragons remains to be seen. There’s no doubt Wayne Bennett’s side lifted a huge gorilla off its back and sometimes the mental letdown that follows can result in an inability to get ‘up’ for the next game. That’s not complacency, but rather an unavoidable aspect of a tough season.
Penrith will prove a formidable opponent for the premiership favourites; they are less structured than other NRL sides but their unpredictability can often pay huge dividends. They need Michael Jennings to get off to a flyer and they need to post points early – if they don’t they won’t be able to chase down the Dragons if their opponents get ahead by 10. Simple as that.
On form it’s hard to go past the Dragons.
Match officials: Referees – Gavin Badger & Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials – Steve Chiddy & Gavin Morris; Video Ref – Steve Clark.
Televised
Channel Nine – Live 7.30pm (NSW), delayed 9.30pm (Qld); Fox Sports – Delayed 11.30pm.
A huge game for both sides, with the table-topping Dragons not wanting to take their foot off the pedal as they cruise towards their first minor premiership since the stand-alone St George side achieved the feat in 1985.
Meanwhile Matthew Elliott’s Panthers can’t afford an exhale just yet – their good form has elevated them to fifth on the NRL ladder on 25 points, but given the eighth-placed Knights are just a point away a defeat could prove catastrophic in their bid for finals football.
The home side have rebounded strongly since their drubbing at the hands of the Rabbitohs in Round 18. They smashed the Raiders, then surprised plenty with a gutsy defeat of the Cowboys in Townsville before steaming home to grab one competition point in a thrilling 32-all draw with the Warriors at CUA Stadium last week.
The fact they trailed the out-of-sorts Warriors 32-6 with 27 minutes remaining is a worry – but the way they blitzed back into the contest can only be a positive as the side has now proven they can overcome extreme adversity. And from that comes confidence.
Importantly, star lock Luke Lewis, sidelined with a broken toe since Round 13, has been named in jersey no.19 and is expected to get good game time subject to a late fitness test.
The Dragons showed their mettle against the Storm last week, overturning a 12-4 scoreline late in the second half to accelerate away from an in-form Melbourne in the second stanza to run out comfortable 26-12 winners.
They’ve now won six in a row and would seem on track for the minor premiership, or at worst, second place after the regular rounds.
They are strengthened for this game with the return from injury of key duo, centre Matt Cooper and lock Jeremy Smith, who help form a six-man bench.
The History
Played 20; Panthers 6, Dragons 14. The Dragons have won six of the past eight including the past five in a row. The Panthers haven’t beaten the Dragons since a nail-biting 13-12 win in Wollongong in 2006. But the Panthers’ record at home is much better, winning 50 per cent of the 10 encounters at CUA Stadium.
Conclusion
Just how much last week’s crucial game took out of the Dragons remains to be seen. There’s no doubt Wayne Bennett’s side lifted a huge gorilla off its back and sometimes the mental letdown that follows can result in an inability to get ‘up’ for the next game. That’s not complacency, but rather an unavoidable aspect of a tough season.
Penrith will prove a formidable opponent for the premiership favourites; they are less structured than other NRL sides but their unpredictability can often pay huge dividends. They need Michael Jennings to get off to a flyer and they need to post points early – if they don’t they won’t be able to chase down the Dragons if their opponents get ahead by 10. Simple as that.
On form it’s hard to go past the Dragons.
Match officials: Referees – Gavin Badger & Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials – Steve Chiddy & Gavin Morris; Video Ref – Steve Clark.
Televised
Channel Nine – Live 7.30pm (NSW), delayed 9.30pm (Qld); Fox Sports – Delayed 11.30pm.
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