Scoreline: Tigers 22-4 Dragons
The Dragons only have 8 points to show for their efforts so far this season. Their play with the football is pedestrian to say the least.
The Tigers were not much better in the second half but it was their great start in the first half that set the foundations for victory tonight. Tigers will need to improve considerably though if they hope to match South Sydney.
The Dragons meanwhile travel to Canberra and its hard to see where a win will come from for the red v based on tonight’s performance.
The Wests Tigers will fancy their chances of defeating a St George Illawarra Dragons side minus Josh Dugan in Monday night football. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:00pm (AEDT).
Despite controlling possession and territory for large portions of the contest, the Dragons really struggled to break Melbourne down in a 12-4 defeat last Monday night.
Although they possess some good players in Gareth Widdop and Benji Marshall, the Dragons just can’t attack as a unit.
They are very predictable with the football and it often takes a spur-of-the-moment play from Marshall or Widdop to conjure up a try-scoring opportunity.
Judging from their performance against Melbourne, it appears that points will yet again be hard to come by for the Dragons in 2015.
With this in mind, the Red V could be set for a long evening against the flamboyant Tigers.
The Tigers are coming off a tight, one-point win over the Titans on the Gold Coast.
While their defence remains suspect, the Tigers are a flamboyant football team and starting the season with a win should give Jason Taylor’s troops plenty of confidence.
So long as the play-making spine of Robbie Farah, James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks remains injury-free, the Tigers possess the potential to ask plenty of questions of even the best opposition defences.
As for tonight, the Tigers must first win the battle upfront if they hope to put the Dragons to the sword on the scoreboard.
The Dragons pack toiled hard against Melbourne and the Tigers must brace themselves for an arm-wrestle early on.
If they can do that, the Tigers possess enough creativity in the backline to earn their second win of the season.
Tigers by 10.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:00pm (AEDT). If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Doug Graves
Guest
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/james-tedesco-shines-as-wests-tigers-thump-st-george-illawarra-dragons-20150316-1m0kg9.html From the above: "The night started badly for the Dragons when they lined up on the wrong side of the field to start the game." Seriously? Has anyone ever seen that before? I can't say I've ever seen it.
Doug Graves
Guest
1 win for the year? That's a bit harsh, they'll win a couple more games than that
Muzz
Guest
Tedesco's a gun. With so much competition and depth for the NSW 1 to 7 jumpers i can see a NSW dynasty coming up.Hardest part of the equation will be this year.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Some Soccer teams are scoring more points than us.... Going to be a long year.
lmm040183
Guest
The y can't pass straight, kick, run simple decoy plays, support the ball carrier, and have no basic organization whatsoever.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Not wrong. Horrible call.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Dragons only have 8 points to show for their efforts so far this season. Their play with the football is pedestrian to say the least. The Tigers were not much better in the second half but it was their great start in the first half that set the foundations for victory tonight. Tigers will need to improve considerably though if they hope to match South Sydney. The Dragons meanwhile travel to Canberra and its hard to see where a win will come from for the red v based on tonight's performance. Tigers 22 Dragons 4
lmm040183
Guest
"Rory, you are on report for running."
Alan
Roar Guru
Tigers get the penalty and a forgettable second half coming to an end. Probably the worst of the season so far about to end. Tigers though remain undefeated! Dragons set for a lot more defeats playing like this.... FULLTIME Tigers 22 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
80' - Dragons attack arguably the worst I have seen in a long long time. Taupau now feeling very sick after his head connects with the knee of O'Brien. Tigers 22 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Dragons on the attack. Still nothing doing when they have the football. Widdop with the kick and Naiqama knocks on but Lawrence grounds the footy and concedes the drop-out Tigers 22 Dragons 4
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yep... Been asking myself the same question all night.
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Dragons only have two tries to their credit in the opening two rounds! That's really poor. They are yet to reach double figures with points scored. Tigers 22 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
77' - Wow that last play option from the Dragons sums up their play. Nightingale with a kick on the last when he was not expecting the football. The kick was a shocker. What do these guys do at training? Tigers 22 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Tigers set for a great test next week when they face the Rabbitohs at ANZ. There should be a good crowd there surely. C'mon Tigers fans show up! Your team will need you. Tigers 22 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
Crowd just under 12,000 tonight. Its been a poor second half from both teams. Electric first half from the Tigers though set up the win. Dragons set for a long year. Tigers 22 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
PENALTY SUCCESSFUL Tigers 22 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Tigers get the penalty and they should go for goal here. Good choice. Increase 16 to 18 point lead. Tigers 20 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Now the Tigers have forgotten how to attack but Farah with the grubber wins the drop-out. Tigers 20 Dragons 4
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Another error from the Dragons. Tigers on the attack. Both teams with error riddled second half efforts Tigers 20 Dragons 4