Friday Night at the Footy

It's finally here, sitting at Suncorp waiting for the game to start. Early news from Sydney see the Dragons up 6-0 with a Ben Hornby try.

Kick off in Brisbane still 30 minutes away . Pumped and ready

12-6 to the Dragons just before halftime. Only an update, can't tell you much about the game, but the Dragons are winning.

What is it about all these TV style shows as pre-game entertainment. I have seen this at the Titans and know the Dragons do, but the Broncs have followed suit, and talk about sterile and boring!

Twenty minutes gone and Broncos in with a video ref decision. Try to Israel Folou. Corey Parker to kick from the sideline. Broncos 6 Cowboys 0

In Sydney Dragons 14 Eels 6

A good try to Darren Lockyer. Brisbane playing with heaps of momentum and enthusiasm. Broncos 12 Cowboys 0. Cowboys need Big Willie

Still no Willie, but a Broncos try with great work from Winterstein. Bronco 18 Cowboys 0. Mason ON

Halftime and the Broncos look the goods, heaps of pace and energy and just demolishing the Cows. Willie has done nothing except look big, time to play big. Very impressed with Corey Norman. Twenty nil to the Broncos.

In Sydney, St George Illawarra 18 Parramatta 12

Broncos start where they left off with a try Judy seven minutes into the second half to lead 24 nil. The Broncos picked up a cheap penalty from a poor decision by the match official Maxwell. The Cowboys are playing poorly, but they aren't getting a lotof luck.


Cowboys get some luck at last with Ty Williams kicking though a Corey Norman fumble to score.JT converts, Cowboys 6 Brisbane 24

TryCowboys from Ash Graham fr some more good luck. Cowboys back in the hunt at 24 -12

Cowboys in again. We have a game people. Cowboys trail by 6 after being down 24 to nil

Jonathon Thurston has sparked the Cowboys with a smart try, easy kick to make it 24 all with tenminutes to go.

What a sight. Demand Kemp pinned back his ears and went in for the Broncos to regain the lead 30-24. Three minutes left

A good win to the Broncs, although a strong fightback from theCows. Very impressed with Cory Norman and Cory Parker. What a start to the season

THEFOOTY Preview NRL-R1

Well it all kicks off tonight with two magic games, the Eels v Dragons and the Qld derby, Broncos v Cowboys. The Eels have been disapointing in trials, while the Dragons have looked sharper and smoother than last year. The much hyped clash between Jamie Soward and Jarryd Hayne is the teaser for the clash and the new downturn rule may rule this in Haynes favour. Even with this, Matt Cooper out and the return of Timana Tahu, we are tipping the Dragons to win a close one. Brett Morris first try scorer.

Broncos v Cowboys, Thurston V Lockyer. They coined the phrase, the Baby Broncos for the teams that trotted out for Brisbane in the times of Origin, now the phrase is for their top 17. Average age of 22, which is just incredible. A host of no/new names for the Broncos and the Cowboys bristling with potential. Look for a huge game from Willie Mason, and I just can't see the Broncos winning this one. They will be brave, and fight on, but Cowboys for us. Watch for a best on ground performance from JT in a changing of the guard ceremony.

Saturday Night see the Knights travel to Sydney for the Dogs. Seems an easy selection, with the Dogs seemingly easy money. BUT, the people from Newcastle are renowned for their fighting capabilities and we will see that to the fore tonight. Minus, Kurt Gidley and wracked in a drug drama, watch for the Knights to cause the boilover of the round with a backs to the wall win. Josh Morris first try scorer.

Penrith play host to Canberra. Again the Raiders are being tipped to be amongst the also-rans, while expectations are high in Penrith. They need to be, as Matty Elliot has had a number of years to assemble a squad he likes and now appears to be close to it. Panthers for mine, with Michael Jennings starring.

The Storm are on the road and face a dangerous Cronulla. We say Cronulla, because again, hopes are not high and they are expected to trail the field in 2010. The Storm need to head off the World Club Champion hangover, but even with this, you would expect the Storm to win with Billy Slater best on ground, but watch out for a stellar performance from Paul Aiton when he is unleashed.

Titans play on Sunday at home against the New Zealand Warriors. The Warriors are blowing up deluxe about the Titans playing in their white away strip, forcing the Warriors into their Black Home strip. This won't do them much good at all. I expect the Titans to be very sharp, very early in the season, and the under-delivering Warriors will continue to do so. Watch for a big game from Brett Seymour, but Greg Bird will be best on ground.

The foundation derby is the big game on Sunday and this should go to the Rabbits. They have hype, potential and face 2010 with more expectations for a long, long time. How they face up to that hype will be one of the bigger deciding factors. We also have the Brian Smith factor at the Chooks, and we anticipate this game to be closer than many pundits think. Souths for us, but in a nail-biter. Sam Burgess will stamp his mark, Dave Taylor to start slowly, Braith Anasta to play with renewed vigour.

Monday night, sees the return of Lote Tuquiri as the Tigers face off the Sea Eagles. Again, we have some hype with the Tigers, but Manly will be looking to make up for a lost 2009 and they will win handsomely.

News From the Red V

FOUR FORWARDS NAMED ON BENCH FOR ROUND 1 CLASH

Dragons Coach Wayne Bennett has named a big 17 man-squad for the Round 1 clash against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night, with four forwards named on the bench all capable of playing in the front-row.

Dragons forward Dan Hunt is excited about the challenge a big Parramatta pack poses for the Dragons,

“Parramatta’s got a big pack, but we’ve got a job to do. They had a great season last year and a great finals campaign, but this is a new season, we’ve trained hard and done everything right so far this week and we can’t wait to get back into football on Friday night”.

 

Unavailable Dragons are: Neville Costigan (shoulder) Rnd 4, Kyle Stanley (ankle) Rnd 6, Peni Tagive (ACL) indefinite   

 

The St George Illawarra Dragons yesterday announced that Dally M five-eight of the year Jamie Soward has re-signed with the Club for a further three years, until the end of the 2013 season.

 

To watch Jamie discuss re-signing and thanking Red V Members for their support click here

 

The announcement is a boost for the Club and Red V Members alike in the build-up to the opening game of the 2010 season this Friday night against the Parramatta Eels.

 

“I wanted to stay at the Dragons and I am very happy that I will be here for at least the next three seasons,” said Soward. “I am also very happy to have this all finalised heading into the season and to know where I am at for the next few years.

 

“The Dragons are a fantastic Club who took a chance on me a few seasons ago and I think it is a great show of faith from the Club to offer me this contract,” added Soward. “It is the longest contract that I have ever signed and I am looking forward to continuing to work hard and repay the Club, Red V Members, Partners and fans for their support”.

 

The re-signing of the 2009 Provans Summons People’s Choice Award winner is sure to provide the Club, its corporate Partners and Red V Members with a massive boost heading into Friday nights round 1 clash with the Eels and it is a decision that has also delighted Coach Wayne Bennett.

 

“It is great that Jamie has signed to stay at the Club and we are all elated that it is done before the season has started so he can concentrate on playing football,” said Bennett.

 

Dragons CEO Peter Doust echoed the sentiments and is equally as pleased to have secured Soward to a long-term deal.

 

“Jamie is a key player, personality and contributor at our Club both on and off the field and I am delighted that we have been able to reach an agreement to keep him at the Dragons for at least the next few years,” said Dragons CEO Peter Doust.

 

Soward had a remarkable year in 2009, surpassing a number of long-standing Dragons records, winning numerous awards as voted by the fans and gaining his very first representative honours.

 

In 2009 Soward broke the St George Illawarra Dragons record for points in a season, overtaking Mark Riddell’s previous record of 166 with a mammoth 234 points. Soward also surpassed St George Dragons legend Harry Bath’s record of 225 points in a single season. Soward also broke Wayne Bartrim’s record of 71 goals in a season, kicking 90 last season.

 

Soward was rewarded for his stellar season by being named Five-Eight of the Year at the 2009 Dally M Awards. The popular five-eight was also rewarded by the fans, winning the Dragons Red V Members Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year as well as the Provans Summons People’s Choice Award for most popular player with the fans at the 2009 Dally M Awards.

 

In another first for Soward, he was named in the NSW Country team for the annual City v Country clash, gaining his first representative honour since entering the NRL. Soward was also named in the initial Kangaroos train-on squad at the end of last season.

 

More recently Soward played a key role in the Indigenous side in the inaugural Indigenous All-Stars v NRL All-Stars match on the Gold Coast, where he scored the match winning try to give the Indigenous All-Stars side a  16-12 victory.

News From the Broncos Round 1

IVAN Henjak has backed debutant Corey Norman to show his 'tricks' after rolling the dice on the 19-year-old for Friday's blockbuster against the Cowboys.

Norman beat Josh Hoffman to the no.1 jersey, vacated by Karmichael Hunt last year, after excelling throughout the pre-season.

"It wouldn't have mattered who we picked at fullback, it was going to be a gamble," said Henjak.

"We lost a great player in Karmichael and had to find a replacement.

"The fellows who have trained there in pre-season have done very well.

"But Corey got the nod.

"He has trained very well, he trialled really well and he's got a few extra tricks up his sleeve."

NRL Round 1 Teams

NRL 2010: Round 1 - March 12, 13, 14, 15
National Rugby League teams, fixtures & referees

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Parramatta Eels v St George Illawarra Dragons
Friday 12 March 2010, 7:35pm AEDT - Parramatta Stadium
Referees: Tony Archer & Gavin Badger; Sideline Officials: Paul Holland & Grant Atkins; Video Referee: Bill Harrigan
Eels: 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Luke Burt 3. Joel Reddy 4. Timana Tahu 5. Eric Grothe 6. Daniel Mortimer 7. Jeff Robson 8. Nathan Cayless (C) 9. Matt Keating 10. Justin Poore 11. Nathan Hindmarsh 12. Ben Smith 13. Feleti Mateo
Interchange: 14. Kris Keating 15. Shane Shackleton 17. Fuifui Moimoi 19. Tim Mannah; Reserves: 20. Krisnan Inu
Dragons: 1. Darius Boyd 2. Brett Morris 3. Beau Scott 4. Matt Cooper 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Jamie Soward 7. Ben Hornby (c) 8. Matt Prior 9. Nathan Fien 10. Michael Weyman 11. Jeremy Smith 12. Ben Creagh 13. Dean Young
Interchange: 14. Jon Green 15. Trent Merrin 16. Dan Hunt 17. Jarrod Saffy

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Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys
Friday 12 March 2010, 7:35pm AEST (8:35pm AEDT) - Suncorp Stadium
Referees: Jared Maxwell & Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: David Abood & Phil Haines; Video Referee: Tim Mander
Broncos: 1. Corey Norman 2. Antonio Winterstein 3. Gerard Beale 4. Israel Folau 5. Denan Kemp 6. Darren Lockyer (c) 7. Peter Wallace 8. Nick Kenny 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Scott Anderson 11. Ben Te'o 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Alex Glenn 15. Matt Gillett 16. Josh McGuire 17. Mitchell Dodds
Cowboys: 1. Ty Williams 2. John Williams 3. Ashley Graham 4. Willie Tonga 5. Michael Bani 6. Grant Rovelli 7. Johnathan Thurston (c) 8. Matthew Scott 9. Aaron Payne 10. Antonio Kaufusi 11. Scott Bolton 12. Steve Southern 13. Luke O’Donnell
Interchange: 14. Anthony Watts 15. Steve Rapira 16. Willie Mason 17. Manase Manuokafoa; Reserves: 18. Carl Webb 19. James Tamou

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights
Saturday 13 March 2010, 5:30pm AEDT - ANZ Stadium
Referees: Jason Robinson & Bernard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Jeff Younis & Ricky McFarlane; Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Bulldogs: 1. Luke Patten 2. Steve Turner 3. Josh Morris 4. Jamal Idris 5. Bryson Goodwin 6. Ben Roberts 7. Brett Kimmorley 8. Ben Hannant 9. Michael Ennis 10. Michael Hodgson 11. Yileen Gordon 12. Andrew Ryan 13. David Stagg
Interchange: 14. Mickey Paea 15. Gary Warburton 16. Jarrad Hickey 17. Ben Barba
Knights: 1. Shannon McDonnell 2. Akuila Uate 3. Junior Sa’u 4. Adam MacDougall 5. Cooper Vuna 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Scott Dureau 8. Ben Cross 9. Matt Hilder 10. Evarn Tuimavave 11. Steve Simpson (c) 12. Cory Paterson 13. Mark Taufua
Interchange: 14. George Ndaira 15. Daniel Tolar 16. Richie Fa’aoso 17. Zeb Taia; Reserves: 18. Wes Naiqama

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Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders
Saturday 13 March 2010, 7:30pm AEDT - CUA Stadium
Referees: Steve Lyons & Alan Shortall; Sideline Officials: Daniel Eastwood & Luke Phillips; Video Referee: Russell Smith
Panthers: 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Michael Gordon 3. Michael Jennings 4. Adrian Purtell 5. Shane Elford 6. Travis Burns 7. Luke Walsh 8. Petero Civoniceva 9. Kevin Kingston 10. Tim Grant 11. Frank Pritchard 12. Trent Waterhouse 13. Luke Lewis
Interchange: 14. Sam McKendry 15. Joseph Paulo 16. Matthew Bell 17. Nathan Smith; Reserves 18. Frank Puletua 19. Brad Tighe 20. Nigel Plum
Raiders: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Reece Robinson 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joel Thompson 5. Daniel Vidot 6. Terry Campese 7. Marc Herbert 8. David Shillington 9. Alan Tongue (C) 10. Scott Logan 11. Danny Galea 12. Bronson Harrison 13. Josh Miller
Interchange: 14. Travis Waddell 15. Trevor Thurling 16. Troy Thompson 17. Dane Tilse; Reserves: 18. Shaun Fensom 19. James Stuart

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v Melbourne Storm
Saturday 13 March 2010, 7:30pm AEDT - Toyota Stadium
Referees: Ben Cummins & Brett Suttor; Sideline Officials: Russell Turner & Henry Peranara; Video Referee: Paul Simpkins
Sharks: 1. Nathan Stapleton 2. Isaac Gordon 3. Ben Pomeroy 4. Blake Ferguson 5. Luke Covell 6. Trent Barrett 7. Scott Porter 8. Kade Snowden 9. John Morris 10. Luke Douglas 11. Grant Millington 12. Anthony Tupou 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Adam Cuthbertson 15. Josh Cordoba 16. Albert Kelly 17. Paul Aiton
Storm: 1. Billy Slater 2. Luke MacDougall 3. Dane Nielsen 4. Greg Inglis 5. Anthony Quinn 6. Brett Finch 7. Cam Smith [c] 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Ryan Hinchcliffe 10. Jeff Lima 11. Adam Blair 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Todd Lowrie
Interchange: 14. Rory Kostjasyn 15. Kevin Proctor 16. Hep Cahill 17. Jesse Bromwich; Reserves: 18. Ryan Tandy 19. Bryan Norrie

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Gold Coast Titans v New Zealand Warriors
Sunday 14 March 2010, 1:00pm AEST (2:00pm AEDT) - Skilled Park
Referees: Matt Cecchin & Chris James; Sideline Officials: Luke Potter & Adam Devcich; Video Referee: Phil Cooley
Titans: 1. Preston Campbell 2. Kevin Gordon 3. Mat Rogers 4. Joseph Tomane 5. David Mead 6. Greg Bird 7. Scott Prince (c) 8. Luke Bailey 9. Nathan Friend 10. Brad Meyers 11. Anthony Laffranchi 12. Mark Minichiello 13. Ashley Harrison
Interchange: 14. Matthew White 15. Sam Tagataese 16. Will Matthews 17. Riley Brown; Reserves: 18. Michael Henderson 19. William Zillman 20. Bodene Thompson
Warriors: 1. Lance Hohaia 2. Kevin Locke 3. Brent Tate 4. Jerome Ropati 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. James Maloney 7. Brett Seymour 8. Sam Rapira 9. Aaron Heremaia 10. Russell Packer 11. Lewis Brown 12. Ben Matulino 13. Micheal Luck (C)
Interchange: 14. Wade McKinnon 15. Jeremy Latimore 16. Jesse Royal 17. Sione Lousi; Reserves: 18. Joel Moon

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Sydney Roosters
Sunday 14 March 2010, 3:00pm AEDT - ANZ Stadium
Referees: Ashley Klein & Tony De Las Heras; Sideline Officials: Steve Chiddy & Gavin Morris; Video Referee: Steve Clark
Rabbitohs: 1. Rhys Wesser 2. Nathan Merritt 3. Colin Best 4. Beau Champion 5. Fetuli Talanoa 6. John Sutton 7. Chris Sandow 8. Luke Stuart 9. Issac Luke 10. Roy Asotasi (c) 11. Eddy Pettybourne 12. David Taylor 13. Sam Burgess
Interchange: 14. Scott Geddes 15. Shannan McPherson 16. Ben Lowe 17. Jason Clark
Roosters: 1. Todd Carney 2. Anthony Minichiello 3. Phil Graham 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 5. Sam Perrett 6. Braith Anasta (c) 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Lopini Paea 9. James Aubusson 10. Jason Ryles 11. Tom Symonds 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Nate Myles
Interchange: 14. Aidan Guerra 15. Frank-Paul Nuuausala 16. Ben Jones 17. Nick Kouparitsas; Reserves: 18. Daniel Conn 19. Martin Kennedy 20. Sonny Tuigamala 21. Brad Takairangi

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Wests Tigers v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Monday 15 March 2010, 7:00pm AEDT - Sydney Football Stadium
Referees: Jared Maxwell & Gavin Badger; Sideline Officials: Gavin Reynolds & Paul Holland; Video Referee: Chris Ward
Tigers: 1. Tim Moltzen 2. Lote Tuqiri 3. Blake Ayshford 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Beau Ryan 6. Benji Marshall 7. Robert Lui 8. Bryce Gibbs 9. Robbie Farah (c) 10. Keith Galloway 11. Liam Fulton 12. Gareth Ellis 13. Chris Heighington
Interchange: 14. Jason Cayless 15. Junior Moors 16. Mark Flanagan 17. Daniel Fitzhenry
Sea Eagles: 1. Brett Stewart 2. Michael Robertson 3. Tony Williams 4. Steve Matai 5. David Williams 6. Jamie Lyon (c) 7. Kieran Foran 8. Jason King (c) 9. Matt Ballin 10. Josh Perry 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Chris Bailey 13. Glenn Stewart
Interchange: 14. Terence Seu Seu 15. Brent Kite 16. George Rose 17. Shane Rodney

Teams Announced Today

Another day off the countdown to the start of the NRL season with the NRL teams announcing their teams today. This is the day that fringe players hang for as they get recognition on whether their pre-season training and/or form has done enough to warrant selection.

Willie Mason, will be nervous sitting up in Townsville, as will Nick Emmet at Wollongong. Ben Ross will be on the edge of his seat at Redfern while your Corey Norman will be beside himself in Brisbane.

Another day down today, NRL on FOX kicks off tomorrow, then just one more sleep till the Friday Night Blockbusters. Bring it on.

Just a Week to Go

In less than six days, the 2010 NRL season kicks off and doesn't that mean a heap for fans of footy everywhere. Friday night sees two absolute blockbusters with the Broncos playing host to the Cowboys and the rivalry between the Eels and Dragons takes on the 2010 version at Parramatta Stadium.

If Friday night doesn't do it for ya, Sunday sees the Foundation clubs in the Rabbitohs and Roosters charging in against each other. Both teams are expected to be big improvers this year and this round has their fans licking their lips in anticipation.

Personally, I am keen to see how the Knights fare against the Bulldogs, one of the high flyers from 2009, in their Saturday evening clash. The Panthers, tipped as another one of the improvers, take on the Raiders also on Saturday night.

Finally, the Tigers play host to the Eagle on Monday Night footy.

In true Norm tradition, warm up the set and cool down the tinnies. We are on countdown to an amazing season

The Annual Shot in the Foot

Pre-Season, every season, we have a drama of some magnitude envelop the game of rugby league. Whether it was Coffs Harbour and the Bulldogs, Brett Stewart and even Kings Cross and the shots fired at Jarryd Hayne, there is always some drama that take the headlines away from what can happen on the field.

 This season promised different, until the drug squad in Newcastle had other ideas. They arrested Chris Houston for drug offences. Danny Wicks also felt the brunt of the law last December, but honestly, that had faded from the news and our memories.

So here we go, the Annual Rugby League shot in the foot, just two weeks out from the season start.Will we ever learn?