NRL Rugby - Dragons v Panthers

29 May 2009

Preview By Tipster Jumbo (New Zealand)

The Dragons showed the last time after the Test that even without players in their line up that they are still a handful especially if the other side is willing to make mistakes which they have been living off and this week have to play missing a few players again thanks to Origin while the Panthers have two of their best missing for this game also..

The Dragons are without Creagh,Weyman,Poore and Boyd for Origin and Smith who is still out from 3 weeks ago now and that takes a fair chunk out of this Dragons line up,Weyman and Poore are their best yardage earners,Boyd has been brilliant all season long and Creagh is their best hole runner add in Smith who's composure and strength is already missing from this Dragons line up and they are down on personal but not out in the contest itself,the last game the Dragons had players out or backing up they fell to the Cowboys but did have a chance at snatching the game at the death but the pass went to ground,their attack I have to admit is getting better but they are down on personal,Bennett will have them up for this game but their forward pack is down on strength and their back line will miss Boyd and the hard running of Creagh one of their pet plays,in defence they should still be strong in defence but they do face a Panthers side who are missing two star players but they still have a strong forward pack that will be competitive.

The Panthers enter his game in good form but without Petro and Jennings and Lewis which really puts a dent in their armour so to speak, however the one positive for the Panthers is that Waterhouse is back and with that their forward pack still looks very strong indeed,across the back line and Jennings will be missed greatly and without Petro their true leader they lose a lot also,however the Panthers even without those 3 players still have a lot of speed and a lot of fight in their pack and with that they have the chance to build on what they have been dishing up and be in line for the win here tonight.

The Dragons have won 4 of the last 5 against the Panthers and have won the last two at home against them by less than 12 points,The Dragons have lost only one game at home this season and have won the other 4 however it is interesting to note that the Dragons have scored 76 points at home but have allowed 69 while the Panthers have won 2 of their 4 away games and do actually have a better defence away from home than the Dragons so at home with the Panthers scoring 54 points on their travels and the allowing the same also 54 points fro their opponents.

Both sides really have really stepped up in defence this season and even while missing players it could affect both sides not one imp articular,I think the Panthers have the forward pack to get over the Dragons but I think their back line without Jennings imp articular and Lewis calling the shots that they will likely end up short here against a Dragons side who are very committed in defence and as such I�ll stick with the Dragons in a close one as I just cannot see this game being a blowout with the personal missing for either side no matter who wins it�Home side to take it by 12 Points or less�Good Luck.