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2019 NRLW Round 1: St George Illawarra Dragons vs Brisbane Broncos |
||
| Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta | ||
| Match time: Fulltime | ||
| Dragons | Broncos | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | SCORE | 14 |
| 1 | Tries | 3 |
| 0 | Conversions | 1 |
| 0 | Penalty goals | 0 |
| 0 | Field goals | 0 |
The Brisbane Broncos have gotten their NRLW season off to a strong start, picking up a ten-point victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons.
After a tense first half where scores were tied at four-all at the halftime break, the Broncos went to another level in the second half, with their forward pack leading the way.
Building off the platform set by Amber Paris-Hall and Millie Boyle, it was Mariah Storch and Steph Hancock who was super impressive off the bench, allowing Ali Brigginshaw to put her influence all over the game.
The Broncos were also strong in the outside backs, where they had the Dragons number, and while there were some nice individual plays from the Red V, with Jessica Sergis and Kezie Apps their best, they have a lot to improve on, especially in the forwards, before they travel to Auckland for the first ever standalone NRLW game against the Warriors next week.
The story of the second half could be summed up in their six errors and multiple penalties given away by the Dragons, and they just couldn’t hold sway with Brisbane, despite some late opportunities to do so.
Final score
Dragons 4
Broncos 14
The Brisbane Broncos might be the defending NRLW premiers, but they will get a huge test straight away in a potential grand final preview when they take on Season 2 favourites the St George Illawarra Dragons. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 2:05pm (AEST).
The Dragons come into the new season with a host of new signings, but the biggest among them is Australian half Maddie Studdon, who played for the Roosters last season.
One of the best players in the women’s game, Studdon will have a crucial role to play on the back of a Dragons forward pack who have undergone a major rebuild.
Losing Sammy Bremner through pregnancy, the Dragons have also released half Honey Hireme to the Warriors, while Brittany Breayley leads a host of Broncos players who made the switch from Brisbane to Wollongong.
On paper, with Studdon and Breayley leading the way, the Dragons spine has a lot of points in them, and the Broncos defence will need to be good in this first-round clash.
While the Broncos have undergone a lot of changes throughout the off-season, the constant is that Chelsea Baker and Ali Brigginshaw will lead the side at fullback and in the halves respectively.
Other recognisable names from last year’s campaign include the dangerous centre and wing combination of Amber Pilley and Meg Ward, while Annette Brander and Tazmin Gray line up in the second row.
The forward packs appear to be reasonably evenly matched, maybe with a slight advantage to the Dragons, so this is going to come down to a battle of the creative players and who can capitalise on their opportunities more efficiently.
Prediction
It’s always hard to tip a first-round game when you have new combinations and a whole lot of unknown, but the Dragons have a really strong side on paper and should show why they are competition favourites here.
Dragons by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this NRLW opening-round match from 2:05pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 2:05pm (AEST)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Parramatta
TV: Live, Fox League 502, Channel 9
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, 9Now, NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Dragons $1.75, Broncos $2.05
Referees: Adam Cassidy, Martin Jones
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Stephanie Mooka 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Tiana Penitani 5. Shakiah Tungai 6. Kimiora Nati 7. Maddie Studdon 8. Teuila Fotu-Moala 9. Brittany Breayley 10. Maitua Feterika 11. Kezie Apps 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Holli Wheeler
Interchange: 14. Keeley Davis 15. Takilele Katoa 16. Maddison Weatherall 17. Ngatokotoru Arakua 18. Najvada George 19. Rikeya Horne
Brisbane Broncos
1. Chelsea Baker 2. Tamika Upton 3. Amy Turner 4. Amber Pilley 5. Meg Ward 6. Raecene McGregor 7. Ali Brigginshaw 8. Millie Boyle 9. Lavinia Gould 10. Amber Paris-hall 11. Annette Brander 12. Tazmin Gray 13. Rona Peters
Interchange: 14. Tarryn Aiken 15. Steph Hancock 16. Mariah Storch 17. Jessika Elliston 18. Rosemary Vaimili Toalepai 19. Heather Ballinger
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this afternoon on The Roar for our live coverage of the NRLW season as the Broncos beat the Dragons. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'm off for a very short breather, then I'll be back with the call of the second NRL elimination final between the Parramatta Eels and Brisbane Broncos in about 15 minutes time. Be sure to join me for that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the game Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Brisbane Broncos have gotten their NRLW season off to a strong start, picking up a ten-point victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons. After a tense first half where scores were tied at four-all at the halftime break, the Broncos went to another level in the second half, with their forward pack leading the way. Building off the platform set by Amber Paris-Hall and Millie Boyle, it was Mariah Storch and Steph Hancock who was super impressive off the bench, allowing Ali Brigginshaw to put her influence all over the game. The Broncos were also strong in the outside backs, where they had the Dragons number, and while there were some nice individual plays from the Red V, with Jessica Sergis and Kezie Apps their best, they have a lot to improve on, especially in the forwards, before they travel to Auckland for the first ever standalone NRLW game against the Warriors next week. The story of the second half could be summed up in their six errors and multiple penalties given away by the Dragons, and they just couldn't hold sway with Brisbane, despite some late opportunities to do so. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME One play left in the game then for the Broncos with the 20-metre restart. Ward runs it up and that'll be that. The Broncos still haven't lost a game in NRLW, picking up a strong win over the Dragons today on the back of a dominant second half. Really good contest that. High standard and a very enjoyable game to watch. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
60' - It was a pretty amazing bit of work from Sergis, but the ball has just knocked into the hand of Baker. So, five seconds to go. Brisbane have one play. Upton has picked up an ankle injury as well. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
60' - BUNKER - DRAGONS The Dragons still searching for a consolation try to look after their for and against. Good run from Davis inside 20, then Nati chips for the corner and that is ridiculous if Sergis has got that down. Looked like she bobbled it. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
60' - The Dragons back over halfway through Wheeler and here is a penalty with 45 seconds on the clock, Peters giving that away. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
59' - Good set from Brisbane, then McGregor grubbers down to the corner and Tungai brings it back. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
58' - Bent a run, then Sergis almost breaks through the line. Turner now jams up to smack Davis just over halfway, before Weatherall can't find an offload back through the middle. Nati bombs on the last, and Upton takes that strongly under heavy pressure. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
57' - Brisbane now through Paris-Hall, Peters and Storch again, who has just been phenomenal off the bench. Up to halfway, then it's Peters out of dummy half with a strong carry. McGregor grubbers on the last and Tungai traps that before bringing it back. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Rellum
Roar Guru
Dragons are just too one out with some basic errors.
Scott Pryde
Expert
56' - The Dragons onto the attack and they must score here you'd think. Vette-Walsh takes the third on the right after a pass from Nati, before Wheeler goes back to the middle. Two plays remain, and they swing it left through Vette-Welsh and Studdon for Bent who is tackled. Final play, ordinary pass out in front of Studdon and she drops the ball. Studdon hasn't looked herself today, and that'll be the ball game. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
54' - The Broncos away from the scrum through Pilley to the left, then it's Brigginshaw to Baker on the left and she was looking dangerous. Turner now almost stepping through the line as she goes from dummy half, before it's back to the middle for Elliston. McGregor over halfway now and she finds Boyle who is stopped by Apps, then McGregor grubbers down the ground and Penitani brings it back. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
53' - Breayley takes the tap and goes for a run, then it's Davis inside 30. Wheeler with a good hard run on the right, then Davis has a second back to the middle about 15 out. Two plays remain, then Katoa looks to offload, but that ball is dropped by Studdon. Looks really tough now for the Dragons. Just too many errors on the attack today. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
52' - The Dragons now trucking their way through the middle, up to halfway on the third through Penitani and here is a penalty. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
51' - Well, the Dragons are going to need to be something close to perfect from here. Ward brings it back from the kick-off, then it's Storch with a good run, before Boyle and Elliston bring it up to halfway. Brigginshaw kicks high on the last, and Tuangai takes that well. Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
50' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by CHELSEA BAKER Dragons 4 Broncos 14
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ah jee.
Scott Pryde
Expert
49' - TRY BRONCOS, RONA PETERS The Broncos off the scrum to the right and McGregor is pulled down as she takes on the line. Gray the next, then it's Aitken out of dummy half. She can't get over, but Peters does the same and does find the line under the sticks for a pretty soft try. Dragons 4 Broncos 12
Rellum
Roar Guru
Yes he did, a couple of times in his moaning voice.