FULLTIME SCORE: Saints 18  - Brisbane 34
Match Conditions: Slightly overcast, 26 degrees. Light southerly
Attendance: 22, 190
POST MATCH SUMMARY: by Sazza

A fast and furious first half saw 80 minutes of attacking football packed into 40. Dragons got away to a good start with a try in the first five minutes, but the Broncos soon hit back, thanks to a rampant Gorden Tallis. The try was unconverted, but almost immediately a Ben Ikin bomb had Gasnier and Blacklock sprawled on the ground after a collision. Brisbane swooped on the loose ball and were over.

The Dragons hit back immediately with a good try to Blacklock. Dragons in front 12-10. Once again Ikin combined with Tallis to put the Broncos back in front. The last part of the half saw both teams attacking in earnest. The Dragons attack asked many questions of the Broncos defence but they weren't able to capitalise on their breaks. The Broncos, however, thanks to field position, a few fortuitous bounces, poor handling from Saints and some woeful refereeing managed to run in two more tries. Some very soft tries to both teams as the defence was found wanting on both sides. Half-time score 24-12 to Brisbane

The second half was a completely different game, as both teams tightened their defences and the intensity dropped off. Unfortunately the Dragons weren't able to claw their way back, despite a try to Test-hopeful, Shaun Timmins. Mundine was sorely missed as the Dragons seemingly ran out of inspiration in the later stages of the match. Weight of possession meant Brisbane ran in two tries to St George-Illawarra's one, and came out the winners, 34-18.

Some positive points for the Dragons: Lance Thompson had a very solid game, and Trent Barrett seemed to enjoy controlling the play in the first half, despite losing intensity later in the game. Gasnier continues to show a lot of promise. Australian schoolboy Luke Branighan had a positive first time outing in first grade, especially in the last quarter, and at just 18 has heaps of potential.

As it turned out, it wasn't so bad. In fact it was great. Saints were well represented in the Eastern Stand Family area and I met Glenn from Jubilee Ave and Nick from Saints 2000 amongst others and that helped a lot in what was a pretty sorry afternoon for the Dragons.
Things didn't get off to good start. We heard over the speakers that Treacy, Bartrim, and Mundine had all pulled out and that was pretty shocking news.

However, the match started well in the opening 5 minutes with an excellent try to Nathan Brown. From 40 metres out, Trent Barrett set up Luke Patten behind the middle of the ruck and the General busted through, passing to Brown who scored next to the sticks. Thompson converted. 
Score Saints 6 - Bris 0

In the 9th minute, Brisbane bombed to Gasnier's wing. Both Timmins and Gasnier were on hand but they were looking into the sun. A collision occurred and Tallis received the dregs to score out wide. Score Saints 6 - Bris 4

In the 12th minute Tallis scores again after some poor defence close to the line. 
Score Saints 6 - Bris 10

Lance Thompson kickoff and he KICKS OUT ON THE FULL! I can't stand it when I see this happen. Saints are now under huge pressure and Brisbane almost score. Fortunately, Patten pushes the would-be try scorer into touch. The match is 15 minutes old and I can't help but notice that Saints are running sideways a lot and the forwards are often missing in action. Part of this is because the ref can't keep Brisbane back more than 8 metres but it is obvious that we are missing soul mates, Treacy and Bartrim.

At the 17th minute another ex-Dragon, Campion, almost scores for Brisbane but the final pass from Tallis is forward...although it looked like Campion was receiving the ball in front of Tallis. It goes to the vid ref and it takes a decade before it is declared no try. In the 20th minute Mark Gasnier touches down in the corner for Saints but the pass is quickly ruled forward in what is a less obvious ruling.

22 minutes gone and Saints are back in the match with a fine backline try to Nathan Blacklock. Lance Thompson receives the ball from dummy half about 15 m out from the Brisbane line, he sends it to Barrett who fires the ball to Lamey who in turn pops a well judged pass to Jamie Ainscough. Ainscough draws the defence and finds Nathan Blacklock backing up on the inside. Tingha scores unopposed 10 m in from touch. Thommo's conversion from out wide is successful.
Score Saints 12 - Bris 10

27th minute: Harrison scores for the Broncos under the posts. The conversion attempt from Turqiri amazingly hits the uprights. Score Saints 12 - Brisbane 14

Brisbane are looking sharper than Saints as the match draws on. Saints are making too many errors and the Dragons' defence has been breached far too many times. This culminates in 1 try to Brisbane in the 32nd minute by Turqiri and another try in to Sailor in the 38th minute. All the Brisbane tries in the 1st half were soft and the last try was scored after Blacklock was simply unable to catch low level bomb. 

Half time sounded and Brisbane had scored 5 tries to Saints 2. Despite this, we were only 12 points down and we still felt that we were in with a show.

The 2nd half began with a Turqiri break down the right side and right in front of us at the Saints 30 metre line. Patten defends well and Turqiri loses the ball into touch.
A minute later, Gasnier runs 60 metres down the opposite right hand side and the result is similar with a knock on against Gaz. In the 48th minute, the Broncos put a kick up and Patten is obstructed by the goal posts. The ball bounces forward and (apparently) Patten gets a feather-touch on the ball which bounces into Blacklock's arms who is deemed offside by the selectively eagle-eyed ref. Brisbane get a penalty goal. It now looks as if we are definitely having one of those days. Saints 12 - Bris 26

59 minutes gone and Sailor scores his 2nd try after a kick. Sailor beats Blacklock to the ball, brushes Ainscough and Barrett aside and puts the ball down in the corner. There is a question mark over the possible offside of Sailor but the winger is just out of shot and the vid ref declares 'refs call'. A smiling ref awards the try and Saints are sunk. Ikin's conversion attempt is a shocker which only gets a metre in the air. Score Saints 12 - Bris 30

When the Dragons finally get the ball back, the forwards are too buggered to take it forward. Having seen little ball all day, the big men are now stopping at the wall and taking the tackle. Saints send the ball wide and Blacklock almost makes a couple of breaks down his wing but as I said, its not our day. Regardless of this, the Dragons keep trying and are finally rewarded with a try to Timmins in the 70th minute. It came off a very good Branighan banana kick who was inches from the touch line. There was some question over Timmin's being front of Brannighan and there was also a question mark over Timmin's knocking on, but it was a try. I watched it later and there is no doubt that Timmins was behind the boot and he didn't knock on. It was a good try. Thommo converted from out wide. The forwards really had a go over the next few minutes but it was all too little, too late. Score Saints 18 - Brisbane 30

In the 75th minute, Brisbane score a late try as the Saints defence opens up once again. I was pretty annoyed to see some of the pathetic attempts at tackling here, and for that matter, the majority of the match. Brisbane's Brad Thorn just stood and ran and no one seemed too interested in taking him on. Conversion attempt from Ikin hits the post and Saints are lucky that Brisbane can't kick because if they could, a score of at least 40 would have been posted.

Negatives from this match:
Too many handling errors. Soft defence close to own try line. 2nd rate kicking game. Not enough 'go forward'. Tingha's lack of confidence. Poor last tackle options.

Positives from this match:
Mainly, I was impressed with 18 year old Luke Branighan who was rushed into the team at the last minute. He has half back written all over him and showed plenty of confidence in the big time. Gasnier also seems to be growing in confidence in a Dragons team which is looking younger with every match.
Also, Saints showed plenty of enterprise in attack but lacked the finish. 
Timmins made some breaks. Patten was safe up the back. Barrett tried his heart out. Smith, Thompson and Leikvoll did their best in a depleted pack.