Dragons v Warriors
VENUE & TIME: WIN Stadium, Saturday night - 17:30 AEST
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 10, Dragons 7, Warriors 3
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio, 2GB, 4BC
LAST TIME: Dragons 32 - Warriors 18 at WIN Stadium, round 13, 2005
WALKING WOUNDED
It seems the Dragons cannot escape an injury crisis at some point during a season and 2006 is proving no different. Tough young forward Ashton Simms fractured his hand against the Sharks last week and will miss up to 10 matches. Test centre Mark Gasnier is tipped to join him on the sidelines for a week with a hip injury, although he has been named in the side. This comes on top of news that halfback Matt Head will now miss six weeks with his knee injury and winger Wes Naiqama (broken ankle) is out for the season. Props Jason Ryles (hand fracture) and Luke Bailey (knee, suspension) are not due back until round 12, while Same Isemonger (knee) and Corey Payne (fractured eye socket) should return next week.
The Warriors welcome back prop Ruben Wiki from a hamstring injury, but winger Manu Vatuvei will need another week to overcome a similar problem.
FORM
The Dragons have slipped to 11th position on the ladder after suffering back-to-back losses against the Storm and Sharks. Injuries to key players are not helping their cause, but that hasn't stopped the critics from jumping on their case again. Their backline appears disjointed without their regular number seven and the forwards are struggling to get over the advantage line.
The Warriors made a stack of unforced errors and missed 46 tackles in going down 16-30 to the Bulldogs in their most recent match. As per usual they are creating plenty of opportunities, but poor finishing is costing them dearly. This seems to be an inherent problem of most Warrior sides.
WHO'S HOT
Young Dragons forward Charlie Leaeno, who scored two tries from barnstorming runs leading up to half-time in his NRL debut. It was an emotional occasion for the 19-year old, who dedicated the match to his younger brother who was killed in car accident 18 months ago. This kid will definitely play a lot more first grade.
WHO'S NOT
Dragons skipper Trent Barrett certainly tried his utmost to spark his side in attack last week, but his execution was again poor. Many of his passes either failed to hit their intended target or were called forward by the referee. Without Matthew Head, Barrett is trying to take over as chief ballplayer and it's just not working. The Wigan-bound Barrett is a strong ball runner, nothing more.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Justin Poore v Steve Price
Ben Hornby v Grant Rovelli
Shaun Timmins v Sione Faumuina
LIKE TO SEE
Ben Hornby take hold of the reigns for the Dragons in attack instead of Barrett.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
Warriors centre Clinton Toopi cost his side with another unexplainable brain explosion. Against the Bulldogs he threw a ridiculous pass in the shadows of half-time and it resulted in a four-pointer to the opposition. He has been relegated to the bench for this week.
WE THINK
The Dragons are decimated by injuries and will have a couple of players backing up from the City-Country the night before. This gives the Warriors the perfect opportunity to get their season back on track if they can play to their strengths in the forwards and cut out the errors. Look for Wiki and Price to lay the platform up front. Warriors by 6.
VENUE & TIME: WIN Stadium, Saturday night - 17:30 AEST
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 10, Dragons 7, Warriors 3
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio, 2GB, 4BC
LAST TIME: Dragons 32 - Warriors 18 at WIN Stadium, round 13, 2005
WALKING WOUNDED
It seems the Dragons cannot escape an injury crisis at some point during a season and 2006 is proving no different. Tough young forward Ashton Simms fractured his hand against the Sharks last week and will miss up to 10 matches. Test centre Mark Gasnier is tipped to join him on the sidelines for a week with a hip injury, although he has been named in the side. This comes on top of news that halfback Matt Head will now miss six weeks with his knee injury and winger Wes Naiqama (broken ankle) is out for the season. Props Jason Ryles (hand fracture) and Luke Bailey (knee, suspension) are not due back until round 12, while Same Isemonger (knee) and Corey Payne (fractured eye socket) should return next week.
The Warriors welcome back prop Ruben Wiki from a hamstring injury, but winger Manu Vatuvei will need another week to overcome a similar problem.
FORM
The Dragons have slipped to 11th position on the ladder after suffering back-to-back losses against the Storm and Sharks. Injuries to key players are not helping their cause, but that hasn't stopped the critics from jumping on their case again. Their backline appears disjointed without their regular number seven and the forwards are struggling to get over the advantage line.
The Warriors made a stack of unforced errors and missed 46 tackles in going down 16-30 to the Bulldogs in their most recent match. As per usual they are creating plenty of opportunities, but poor finishing is costing them dearly. This seems to be an inherent problem of most Warrior sides.
WHO'S HOT
Young Dragons forward Charlie Leaeno, who scored two tries from barnstorming runs leading up to half-time in his NRL debut. It was an emotional occasion for the 19-year old, who dedicated the match to his younger brother who was killed in car accident 18 months ago. This kid will definitely play a lot more first grade.
WHO'S NOT
Dragons skipper Trent Barrett certainly tried his utmost to spark his side in attack last week, but his execution was again poor. Many of his passes either failed to hit their intended target or were called forward by the referee. Without Matthew Head, Barrett is trying to take over as chief ballplayer and it's just not working. The Wigan-bound Barrett is a strong ball runner, nothing more.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Justin Poore v Steve Price
Ben Hornby v Grant Rovelli
Shaun Timmins v Sione Faumuina
LIKE TO SEE
Ben Hornby take hold of the reigns for the Dragons in attack instead of Barrett.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
Warriors centre Clinton Toopi cost his side with another unexplainable brain explosion. Against the Bulldogs he threw a ridiculous pass in the shadows of half-time and it resulted in a four-pointer to the opposition. He has been relegated to the bench for this week.
WE THINK
The Dragons are decimated by injuries and will have a couple of players backing up from the City-Country the night before. This gives the Warriors the perfect opportunity to get their season back on track if they can play to their strengths in the forwards and cut out the errors. Look for Wiki and Price to lay the platform up front. Warriors by 6.
