A sign of things to come? The NRL season kicked off at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle last night with a bumper club record crowd of 29,189.
And they sure got their money’s worth, with the Dragons beating the Knights 15-14 in extra time, thanks to the trusty left boot of Jamie Soward.
It was rather ironic that the boot that took the Dragons to the premiership in 2010 under Wayne Bennett should sink Bennett on his coaching debut with the Knights.
But don’t ever write the Knights off.
There was a lot of ill-discipline in their game last night, so rare in a Bennett coached side.
None more so than Timana Tahu being penalised and reported for kneeing Dragons forward Matt Prior when the Knights were strong in attack.
Hot-head Tahu would have copped a gobful from his coach, and with every good reason.
The Knights’ pluses?
The return of former skipper Danny Buderus from a three-year stint at Leeds, and the continued class of Darius Boyd.
Buderus should be captain instead of Kurt Gidley, but that’s a matter for Bennett. Buderus was a powerhouse when the Knights won the 2001 premiership, as well as captaining NSW to the Blues’ last Origin series success in 2005 and successfully leading the Kangaroos.
He is a captain’s captain, one of the very best.
Boyd is brilliant.
The way he surfaces anywhere on the field to make incisive runs never ceases to amaze. He is Bennett-inspired, having played under the master coach at the Broncos, Dragons, and now Knights.
There’s no way Bennett would be happy today. That was a game that got away having overcome a 8-nil deficit.
On the other side of the coin, Dragons new coach Steve Price will be ecstatic. The team with the famous big red V were underdogs, but managed to snatch a well-earned victory.
And one of the major reasons was the Price ploy to keep the ball well away from flying Knights winger Akuila Uate. The ploy worked a treat and one of the Knights most destructive assets was kept quiet for most of the game.
Another outstanding feature was the understanding between Price and long-serving skipper Ben Hornby.
It was a celebration night for Hornby with his 250th game, the first time in 47 years a Dragon had reached the milestone. It didn’t start well by kicking out on the full from the kick-off, but that was just a hiccup as Hornby settled into his stride very quickly.
There’s a lot to like about the Dragons.
They have the cattle to do well with Ben Creagh, Dean Young, and Michael Weyman up front, and Kyle Stanley, Brett Morris, Matt Cooper, and Beau Scott at the back.
And Jamie Soward.
Why he’s been knocked so often defies description. He’s a quality footballer. It’s not only his boot, but he’s become a nomad around the field that makes him even more dangerous.
If the Dragons become a genuine premiership threat, it will be because of Jamie Soward.
Gaz
Guest
A great coach perhaps, but do you realize he now has won just 4 club games from the last 16. And that's with 'the cattle' at St George. Good luck Newcastle but it is a sobering thought and something Mr Tinkler might address if it continues.
Ted Skinner
Guest
Not bad TV Ratings: http://www.nrl.com/grand-final-replay-to-be-televised-live-nationally/tabid/10874/newsid/66097/default.aspx On the back of a spectacular season opener that saw Rugby League return as Sydney’s most watched television event, the Nine Network has announced today that it will televise Sunday’s Telstra Premiership Grand Final replay between the Warriors and Manly at Auckland’s Eden Park live across Australia. Last night’s golden-point season kick-off between St George Illawarra and Newcastle overpowered regular top rating Thursday night programs in Sydney to attract an average audience of 482,000 and a peak of 632,000. In Brisbane the match averaged 238,000 viewers and peaked at 311,000 while in regional Australia the Dragons’ win averaged 565,000 viewers and peaked at 715,000. Across Sydney, Brisbane and regional Australia the match attracted a combined average of 1.285m and a peak of 1.658m. The Footy Show went on to win its Sydney, Brisbane and regional timeslots, further underlining the demand for Rugby League in 2012. “It’s a great way to start the season and the news today that Nine will telecast the Manly v Warriors match live across Australia is a further example of the enthusiasm building around Rugby League,” Australian Rugby League Commission Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today. Channel Nine declared the Thursday night season opener a spectacular success. “It was great to have Rugby League back on Channel Nine and the initiative of Nine and the NRL in trialing a Thursday night start was warmly embraced by the viewers,” Channel Nine Managing Director, Mr Jeff Browne, said today. “The decision to go live with the Grand Final replay on Sunday is a chance for viewers across the country to feel a part of the opening round as they also prepare for the first final in the cricket.” Nine will telecast the match from 12noon on Sunday AEDST following the Sunday Footy Show.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
I got greedy and jumped on the boys for the full time - half time double at $3.50. The bookies sure clean up when games are level at half time, or after 80 minutes.
Jeff McGinn
Guest
Yeah Dumpstar, AFL know HOW to make sure their game receives good coverage. But Meesta Cool has a point, he pays for Foxtel for NRL coverage, then has to sit up till after midnight to watch the games. As a protest he could withdraw his support for Foxtel, but that is only hurting himself.
Brett McKay
Expert
so was one P.Sterling I'm tipping, such was his enthusiasm in announcing the odds prior to kick-off... I'm not a betting man, but I too would've been all over $2.40!
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Ditto Brett. Listen Bennett is a great coach and as a Bronco's fan I love him, but at the end of the day he is just a coach. You still need the Cattle on the park.
Matt S
Guest
The cameras may not have fully shown it but that match was played in constant rain. Bit harsh about the conservative ball playing. The other codes would have seen a real erosion in skills.
DumpStar
Roar Rookie
Just make it golden try, still play extra time, but if a try is scored then it's all over (any other scores in extra time become null and void). It really would make teams throw it around to ensure they end up on the right side of the ledger, while still allowing field goals etc to decide the match after the 10 minutes are up if no try is scored. It doesn't hurt the bookies, cause they pay out on the 80min result.
JVGO
Guest
Cronulla offered Snowden overs and then Tinkler offered him more.
DumpStar
Roar Rookie
Confusing it with the AFL ads maybe?
DumpStar
Roar Rookie
I hated watching the Dragons play anyone when Bennet coached them, and it seems I will be adding the Knights to that list as well. It may be winning footy, but as a casual watcher who just wants to be entertained, they are teams I won't be tuning into unless they play my team.
DumpStar
Roar Rookie
I thought there were a fair few Newcastle forwards who went missing in the game. Maybe a few more matches under there belt will see them get match fit enough to keep up with the game plan that Bennet likes to employ.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I disagree that Bennett won't be happy and Price will. The Knights weren't competing for a lot of the game but still held the dragons to only 15 points and sent the game into lotto overtime. They clawed their way back every time it looked that the Dragons would get away. Price should be dirty that despite the conditions the Dragons didn't put the game away despite dominating territory and possession. How good was it though ? Big crowd, wet weather, big hits galore...good to see Rugby Glorious League make it's return. Cricket who ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agreed Dan...props rarely win the award but given his new price tag Snowden's a leading candidate for the most over rated player gong. Lazy sums it up.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's not like the bookies to give money away like that. I was all over the Dragons at $2.40 - although I was getting a bit pecky towards the end.
john
Guest
knights will get better dragons wont Tom go watch soccer
mokicat
Guest
Sould play 10 minutes of extra time and do away with golden point. Teams would still go for a droppie but its so atrificial when the game concludes when one is scored.
toddm
Guest
spoken like a true manly supporter - its the first round they will come good
Matt F
Roar Guru
When did Foxtel ever claim that they could show all NRL games live? The only ads I've seen from them say 5 live games which is all their broadcast deal allows.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Once again Victorians were treated abysmally, I renewed my Foxtel Sports subscription so that I could watch every game 'LIVE' (Their promise), first game of season - delayed tecast wait tl 10-30... saw the result on news at 9pm and it absolutely ruined what was a great game. Give us a go, we pay for 'LIVE' -- play it 'LIVE'... I thought I would just mention in passing, that our friends at Ch 9 didn't play this game until 1-30 am! -- Hope the commission doesn't even consider giving these guys any rights to our game at all.. Pleeaaassssseeeeee!