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 Broncos danger men to be biggest obstacle for Dragons 

Broncos danger men to be biggest obstacle for Dragons

17 Sep, 2009 05:00 AM
STOPPING the giant Dave Taylor and a flying Israel Folau loom as St George Illawarra's biggest obstacles as the red and whites look to return to the winner's circle on Saturday night.

The Dragons outside men will have a busy night, with Taylor and Folau joined by Test players Karmichael Hunt, Darren Lockyer and Justin Hodges.

Taylor was at his destructive best when the teams met last month, scoring a try in Brisbane's 12-2 victory in Wollongong.

Dragons utility Jason Nightingale agreed that stopping Folau would be "difficult''.

"He is six foot tall and pretty powerful,'' Nightingale said.

"He can take a high ball. It's a [tough] task. You've got to come up with a plan and I'm sure we will.''

While Folau missed the last start win against the Dragons through injury, the South Sydney-bound Taylor has been a revelation since Broncos coach Ivan Henjak shifted him wider in attack.

"There aren't too many gigantic centres in the game,'' Nightingale said.

"You have to contain him, lock the ball and make sure you put solid contact on him.''

Coach Wayne Bennett has opted to stick with the 17-man squad which lost to the Eels on Sunday.

"Our record is pretty good up there,'' said Nightingale, who can celebrate his 23rd birthday on Saturday night with a win. All the boys look forward to going up there.''

At Suncorp Stadium the Dragons have won six of their past seven matches, including a 20-4 win in the 2006 qualifying final.

"We haven't got a bad fan base up there,'' Nightingale said.

"There always seems to be patches of red and white in the stands.

"I think [with] 20,000 people yelling you can't make out what they are saying, whether they are going for you or booing it all sounds the same.''

The Broncos ambushed St George Illawarra in their round 24 clash at WIN Stadium but the Dragons will be ready.

"A big part of that was their line-speed,'' Nightingale said. "This time, maybe, we'll be throwing a few passes together when they are rushing out on us.''

The Dragons leave tomorrow for Brisbane.

The winner will play Melbourne in the preliminary final in Melbourne the following Saturday night.

Melbourne and the Bulldogs rest up with this weekend off. The Eels will take on the Titans tomorrow night.

Can the Dragons beat Brisbane? Let us know your predication below.

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This should be one of the best games but more importantly spectacles this season. However I want to see the arrogant Dragons go down.
Posted by Paul, 17/09/2009 7:30:49 AM

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In firing line: St George Illawarra utility Jason Nightingale will spend time marking Broncos' giants Dave Taylor and Israel Folau. Picture: Orlando Chiodo
In firing line: St George Illawarra utility Jason Nightingale will spend time marking Broncos' giants Dave Taylor and Israel Folau. Picture: Orlando Chiodo

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