The Broncos are toast as Dragons fire up in defence
April 4th 2009 03:02
Coach Wayne Bennett did not care if his Dragons side were labelled one of the most boring teams to watch prior to Friday nights NRL grudge match against the Brisbane Broncos. That was because the six time premiership winning mentor knew he had installed the necessary ingredient in the famous red V that would make his return to Suncorp stadium a memorable one.
In front of over 40,000 fans at the cauldron of Rugby League, The Dragons made a serious statement about their premiership intentions which was no doubt embraced by all of their supporters, let alone the rest of the NRL premiership.
Indeed the Broncos were favoured to continue on their winning ways against a Dragons side that had won the previous seven encounters against Brisbane.
Although Ivan Henjak’s men were well on their way to victory after Israel Folau scored the first try, what followed cast the home side into submission.
The Dragons bullied the Broncos in defence and attack, thanks to terrific hit-ups and tackling by front rowers Jarrod Saffy, Matt Prior and Michael Weyman.
It was on the back of this defence that allowed the Dragons to counter attack with some clinical attacking football.
Out wide, Beau Scott was a constant menace for Brisbane’s defenders, breaking tackles almost at will.
It was on the back of a superb Scott run in the second half that set up winger Wendell Sailor to score the try that effectively put them in a match winning position.
Sailor’s performance, let alone his four pointer, also reminded why Broncos fans were both furious and disappointed, when he departed the club to fetch a career in Rugby Union.
After just months back in the NRL, ‘Big Dell’ has adequately adjusted his game to suit the speed of the NRL, and he has now become a constant menace on the flank for the Dragons.
Fullback Darius Boyd was also superb, and has now established himself as an Origin player that will be among the first picked for QLD this season.
Although the big men for the Dragons laid the necessary brick wall that thwarted the Broncos much publicised backline, it was the coming of age of small half Jamie Soward that earned rave reviews.
While often criticised for his lack of presence in defence, in particular the round one loss against Melbourne this year, Soward responded brilliantly against Brisbane, and was rightfully commended for his efforts with the man of the match award.
Soward’s kicking game was indeed the tonic that shut out any chance of a Brisbane revival.
Indeed one of his midfield bombs in the second half led to a try that was scored by the young five-eighth.
His field goal right at the death was the icing on a terrific Dragons performance that new coach Bennett will no doubt enjoy consuming on the road back to Sydney.
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