Oracle of Delphi
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Craig HillRound 3 NRL Previews - Dragons VS Cowboys
March 31st 2007 06:16
St George-Illawarra Dragons VS North QLD Cowboys @ WIN Stadium, 31/03/2007
In what must be increasingly frustrating for Dragons coach Nathan Brown, the joint venture club’s premiership campaign could again be derailed by injury to key players. With Mark Gasnier ruled out for the season, Brown was forced to rely on the new halves partnership of Ben Hornby and Matthew Head to guide the team for the remainder of the season.
But unfortunately for coach Brown, Hornby has been ruled out through injury for this Saturday nights clash with the white hot North Queensland Cowboys, and in even worse news for the Dragons, it appears that Head may yet join him on the sidelines due to his chronic leg problems. Coupled with injuries to seven other regular first grade standard players, including new hooker Simon Woolford, the Dragons will field their youngest line-up this Saturday night.
There are no such worries for the North Queensland side however, with only new five-eight Jason Smith unable to play this weekend. Smith sprained his ankle in last weeks demolition of the Sydney Roosters, with versatile lock Justin Smith covering for the wily veteran this week.
If the Cowboys play anywhere near their potential at WIN Stadium tonight, then they could well rack up a cricket score against ‘Browns babes’. The combination of Thurston and Bowen in particular has been absolutely devastating in the Cowboys victories thus far, and if the giant Cowboys forward pack can continually get over the advantage line, then the North Queensland outside backs will have a field day.
Look to the Cowboys to record a large victory over the injury depleted Dragons outfit by 13 , with Matt Bowen, Ashley Graham or Johnathan Thurston in first try scorer calculations.
St George-Illawarra Dragons -
Josh Morris, Luke MacDougall, Keith Lulia, Matt Cooper, Wes Naiqama, Ben Hornby, Matthew Head, Justin Poore, Tony Caine, Jason Ryles, Ashton Sims, Corey Payne, Ben Creagh
Bench - Adam Peek, Danny Wicks, Dan Hunt, Rangi Chase, Chris Houston, Lagi Setu, Chase Stanley
North Queensland Cowboys –
Matt Bowen, Brenton Bowen, Ashley Graham, Paul Bowman, Neil Sweeney, Jason Smith, Johnathan Thurston ©, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne (vc), Carl Webb, Steve Southern, Luke O'Donnell, Justin Smith
Bench - Rod Jensen, Jacob Lillyman, Sione Faumuina, Shane Tronc, Scott Bolton
In what must be increasingly frustrating for Dragons coach Nathan Brown, the joint venture club’s premiership campaign could again be derailed by injury to key players. With Mark Gasnier ruled out for the season, Brown was forced to rely on the new halves partnership of Ben Hornby and Matthew Head to guide the team for the remainder of the season.
But unfortunately for coach Brown, Hornby has been ruled out through injury for this Saturday nights clash with the white hot North Queensland Cowboys, and in even worse news for the Dragons, it appears that Head may yet join him on the sidelines due to his chronic leg problems. Coupled with injuries to seven other regular first grade standard players, including new hooker Simon Woolford, the Dragons will field their youngest line-up this Saturday night.
There are no such worries for the North Queensland side however, with only new five-eight Jason Smith unable to play this weekend. Smith sprained his ankle in last weeks demolition of the Sydney Roosters, with versatile lock Justin Smith covering for the wily veteran this week.
If the Cowboys play anywhere near their potential at WIN Stadium tonight, then they could well rack up a cricket score against ‘Browns babes’. The combination of Thurston and Bowen in particular has been absolutely devastating in the Cowboys victories thus far, and if the giant Cowboys forward pack can continually get over the advantage line, then the North Queensland outside backs will have a field day.
Look to the Cowboys to record a large victory over the injury depleted Dragons outfit by 13 , with Matt Bowen, Ashley Graham or Johnathan Thurston in first try scorer calculations.
St George-Illawarra Dragons -
Josh Morris, Luke MacDougall, Keith Lulia, Matt Cooper, Wes Naiqama, Ben Hornby, Matthew Head, Justin Poore, Tony Caine, Jason Ryles, Ashton Sims, Corey Payne, Ben Creagh
Bench - Adam Peek, Danny Wicks, Dan Hunt, Rangi Chase, Chris Houston, Lagi Setu, Chase Stanley
North Queensland Cowboys –
Matt Bowen, Brenton Bowen, Ashley Graham, Paul Bowman, Neil Sweeney, Jason Smith, Johnathan Thurston ©, Matthew Scott, Aaron Payne (vc), Carl Webb, Steve Southern, Luke O'Donnell, Justin Smith
Bench - Rod Jensen, Jacob Lillyman, Sione Faumuina, Shane Tronc, Scott Bolton
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