Thursday is back already and tonight’s Round 11 clash sees the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the St George Illawarra Dragons. Both last start winners, both sides will be out to repeat last weekend’s efforts and cement a spot in the top eight. Join The Roar live from 7:50pm for all the action.
The Rabbitohs will start Greg Inglis at five-eighth again this weekend, with Cody Walker named on the wing at the expense of Michael Oldfield. Don’t be surprised to see Walker shift to the halves, Inglis to centre and Bryson Goodwin to the wing at some point during the night.
The Bunnies were resilient winners last weekend and will be looking for a similar defensive display to get the job done tonight. Sam Burgess was inspirational and earned the man-of-the-match award for his tireless hit-up and tackling efforts. His battle up front with the likes of Tyson Frizell and Mike Cooper will be one to watch.
The Dragons won a thriller at home last weekend, defeating Canberra in extra time. Joel Thompson is out suspended for his high hit on Blake Austin, with Jacob Host his replacement. Benji Marshall is also out, having succumbed to a hamstring injury, meaning Josh McCrone gets the nod at halfback. He needs to play and kick well if the Dragons are any hope.
Gareth Widdop has been out of form recently and I expect him to step up and perform tonight. The Englishman is nowhere near the player he was in Melbourne, and without Marshall, he will be the key man tonight.
What does work in the Dragons favour is that they have already knocked off the Bunnies this year. It was a sluggish affair in the wet, now known for the infamous last-gasp field goal attempt from Inglis with his side two points down.
The defensive display the Dragons put on that day was superb and the confidence they would have gained from the Round 3 encounter could benefit them tonight.
Prediction
ANZ doesn’t offer much in the way of home ground advantage, but for me the Rabbitohs will have too much firepower in attack. They’ve been the better of the two sides recently and may have turned a corner with last Friday’s win.
Souths by 12
So will the Dragons be able to claim their second win of the season over the Rabbitohs? Or will Souths get their revenge for their Round 3 loss? Join The Roar from 7:50pm to follow all of the action.
Paul
Guest
The major issue for the Dragons is as it has been all season and only to a slightly lesser extent, the previous 2 seasons. That is Gareth Widdop! He isn't a ball player, not a runner, poor defender, slow, poor kicking game and poor goal kicking and this guy is the captain!!! Talk about a losing culture.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
I can't spot a real leader at the 1,6,7,9 spots, no one that says come on boys we're going on the back of me
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
spot on, Sam Burgess dropped the ball 3 times, that's 3 errors, if the ref makes the same amount under fatigue then I can cop it, they are human after all
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
"Everyone is an armchair expert but too gutless to actually become a ref themselves." Eh? Odd comment but anyway, the rest of what you wrote is spot on. Things seem to even out over the long term. If you're good enough, you should be able to get over dud calls.
Quarter flounder
Guest
The refs, The refs , The bloody refs, and on and on it goes. Complaining about the refs is as old as sport. It's totally pointless and a complete waste of time. Take it on the chin and move on. It all balances out over the course of a season. All teams both benefit and suffer under bad ref calls. Everyone is an armchair expert but too gutless to actually become a ref themselves. Move on its boring.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah for sure he has a lot to improve on - but under McGregor that will come. His attack is fantastic.
P.Marlowe
Guest
I dunno - he seemed to have trouble with Bryson Goodwin. Would you trust him against Chambers/Corey Oates?
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Yep, all the refs fault ! An evil conspiracy!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Paul Carter "Yeah I didn't even know they had gone to the bunker - I was waiting for the drop out." 10/10 performance from the blokes in yellow.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Really Renegade? He has a hell of a lot of talent.
Scott Pryde
Expert
One more - I hope McGregor gets a $10, or maybe $40 grand fine in the press conference or he hasn't done this thing justice.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Scotty, There is close to zero chance of Euan Aitken playing state of origin ever let alone the next 12 months.
Craig Swanson
Guest
Dragons seem to be always playing catch up. They can not take a game by the scruff of the neck.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah mate - on the flipside probably very entertaining for you!
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
cheers mate, thanks for getting involved
Mr Wonderful
Guest
Souths player clearly knocked on into Goodwin before he caught it. Wrong call by the bunker.... Again!
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
tough night for you Scotty, enjoy mate
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
MATCH REVIEW South Sydney finish winners tonight, coming out winners 34-24 over a gallant Dragons outfit. The bunnies started poorly and had poor completions all night long. The Dragons scored early but never really got to a lead they deserved and it cost them late. There were plenty of 50/50 calls that went against the Dragons tonight and they won't be too happy in the post match press conference Both forward packs tried hard, the likes of Carter, Burgess, Packer and Cooper busy all night long. South's kicking game was a step above their opponents, I can't recall the Dragons forcing a drop out tonight. Reynolds was nifty and built pressure and will be ready if called upon for Origin come Monday. For the Dragons, time to go back to the drawing board. There just isn't the game breaker in their side, Widdop is off, Dugan isn't breaking tackles like he usually does, I'm not sure where to from here. 3 2 1 from tonight 3 - Adam Reynolds - controlled his side, kicked well and defended well and is likely to play Origin in a few weeks. With Inglis at 5/8 he was the key play maker and created well tonight 2 - Sam Burgess - statistical freak, 18 runs for 170 metres, 43 tackles and planty of mongrel and line speed 1 - Paul Carter - man this kid runs hard, hits hard and fires the team up. Bagged a try, 14 runs for 111 metres and 29 tackles That's it for me, enjoy your weekend!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Jarrod, I'm going to go and watch some cycling and see if I can forget about the rubbishness shown by the referees.
Nat
Guest
What a joke im not a st George supporter infact I don't like em but that missed knock on in goals that Souths were awarded the try was the turning point of tbe game I am affraid I don't like to admit it but nrl is a dying breed to many idiots in charge costing teams games if the bunker can't get it right but Freddy fittler can see it the game is in trouble WOW JUST WOW WHAT A DISCRACE