Saints v Canberra Rnd 22(2000)

Round 22
Saturday
July 1st
2.30pm
Saints v
Canberra
Venue: Bruce Stadium
Saints on TV 2000

Match Preview
& Team

Match
Report & Results

TV / Video Capture

This Weeks

Sound File

Scrapbook

Referee Rating

PREVIEW: 'Old Legs' Laurie must be shaking in his boots at the prospect of facing 'The Bullet' Barrett this weekend. Last time these two teams met, Daley was completely out-classed by Mundine and Saints won on the day at the SFS.
This time the Raiders are on home turf and this should be a cracker of a match.
There's no doubt that Saints will come out with all guns blazing.
The Raiders have a top four spot to defend while the Dragons are on a tight rope.
It goes without saying that Saints have what it takes to bury the Raiders this Saturday and we can back them up by making the trip along the Hume and showing up in force.
SAINTS BY 8
REF NOTE: Unfortunately, we've drawn the short straw this weekend and have copped the NRL's 'other top ref', Steven Clark. Murdoch's rag, The Sydney Telegraph (June 28) reports that Harrigan and Clark have been retained in 1st grade despite their ineptitude because there is no talent capable of replacing them. Well, if that ain't just like shooting fish in a bucket... far too easy to be a cynic, I'm afraid. I just hope that Clark lifts his game enough just for one week so the players can get on with a fair and open match.

FOOTY TAB:
Saints: 6.5 start

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS TEAMS CANBERRA RAIDERS

REF: Steven Clark

Amos Roberts Nathan Blacklock Jamie Ainscough Lee Murphy Lee Hookey Trent Barrett Luke Branighan Luke Bailey Nathan Brown(c) Craig Smith Terry Lamey Andrew Hart Wayne Bartrim Res:

Darren Treacy Colin Ward Jason Hooper Wes Patten

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Res: 14 15 16 17

Brett Mullins* Jamaal Lolesi Luke Williamson Ken Nagas Lesley Vainikolo Laurie Daley (c) Andrew MacFadden Todd Payten Jason Burnham Luke Davico Alan Tongue David Furner Jason Croker Res: Mark McLinden Brandon Costin Ruben Wiki J Morgan

Teams subject to late changes
*Brett Mullins late withdrawal. Nagas goes to fullback

FULL REPORT
Match Conditions: Cold, dry. Big Breeze favouring Saints in first half

Attendance: 14,171 MATCH SUMMARY:

HIGHLIGHTS 1st half:
The Dragons had a huge breeze in their favour in the first half but have had little quality possession. In short, they were unable to capitalise on what is a 12 point wind.
A try to Amos Roberts early in the match and another, just before half time to Andrew Hart have flattered the scoreline for Saints who need to shift mountains if they are to withstand defending into this breeze for the next 40 minutes.
Half time score: Saints 12 - Canberra 4

HIGHLIGHTS 2nd half:
Saints started the 2nd half in perfect fashion with a Nathan Blacklock try next to the sticks. This try, along with the late 1st half try created a buffer of 14 points which was more like what we wanted.
What followed was a series of penalties. Saints upset the ref 5 time in 15 minutes and Canberra scored 2 tries and were looking like they would go with it.
But then the Mighty Dragons got hold of the pill and scored again, and again.
Lee Hookey had a magnificent game, scoring 2 tries. Also outstanding were Luke Bailey, Darren Treacy and Wayne Bartrim.
Right on fulltime, following a few dubious ref decisions, Canberra scored to get them within 12 points. Canberra can thank Laurie Daley, Mark McLinden and Steven Clark who all had a great game for the Raiders and saved them from a thrashing.
Saints tackled hard in the last 20 minutes of the match. It was pleasure to watch the lads defending their way to victory.
FULLTIME: SAINTS 30 - CANBERRA 20

MATCH REPORT:
The Canberra team had to reshuffle their line up just before kick off with Mullins out injured and Nagas going to fullback. Other changes of note include McLinden being promoted off the bench to five eighth and Daley moving to lock. The Dragons team ran on as per the card.
The first half was a scrappy affair with both sides guilty of simple handling errors. Nevertheless, Saints had a good look about them and often made good ground up the middle. Barrett's long kicking game kept turning the Raiders around but despite coming close, he never managed a 40/20.
Saints opened up their account in the 9th minute when Lee Hookey received the ball on his own 30 m line and made a strong burst down the right flank. He looked to covered by did a brilliant job of brushing off 3 tacklers to get into the clear. With only the fullback in front, Hookey found Amos Roberts on the inside who scored next to the uprights. Score: Saints 6 - Canberra 0
For the next 25 minutes Saints found it hard to make headway. Although they still had fair share of the ball, very little of it was quality ball as Saints constantly found themselves struggling to make ground and find good field position. Unforced handling errors and missed tackles just made things worse. The introduction of Wes Patten added some sparkle to Saints attack but more often than not, it was the Raiders who getting the roll ons. A 40/20 from Laurie Daley into the wind was typical of a match which wasn't going to plan.
In the 32nd minute, Croker beat Lee Murphy hands down, winning the race to the ball to score. Murphy's defence was questionable during the lead up to this try and his lack of commitment during the chase was a real low point of the first half. The conversion from wide out is unsuccessful. Score: Saints 6 - Canberra 4
In the 37th minute, Saints bounced back. Branighan puts up a huge long range bomb from 40 m out. Barrett contests the ball and knocks it back. Hooper collects the rebound, 5 m out. Andrew Hart, backing up takes the next pass to score under the posts. After an eternity of scrutiny from the vid ref, Blacklock converts and Saints have a 1st half lead of 8 points. Score: Saints 12 - Canberra 4
HALF TIME
Running into the wind in the 2nd, the Dragons have got their work cut out for them. Things started brilliantly in the 43rd minute when, from 40m out, Barrett put up a bomb which was contested by Roberts who knocked it back to Blacklock who stepped around the defence and ran 10 m to score. Barto converts and this is the type of lead we came to see. Score: Saints 18 - Canberra 4
The Blacklock try inspired the forwards who had little trouble making the yards, Andrew Hart and Luke Bailey leading the way. On more than one occasion it looked like we were about to put the home town away. But things went off the rails for a while when the ref gave Canberra 5 forgettable penalties in a row which sapped us dry and Saints concede a try in the 54th minute and another in the 60th minute. Score: Saints 18 - Canberra 14
62nd minute: Saints finally got the ball and responded in superb fashion. Everyone got involved from the biggest to the smallest with Craig Smith making one hit up and Luke Branighan taking it up a moment later. Saints made huge in roads in just one set of six and telegraphed to all that Barrett was setting up for a bomb. Instead, he stepped through a half gap, finding Roberts in support who strolled over for his 2nd try, scoring next to the posts. Score: Saints 24 - Canberra 14
In the minutes that followed, Saints played all over Canberra and came within a whisker of scoring on a couple of occasions. When the Raiders got the ball, Saints tackled them out of the match. Canberra almost crossed after a McLinden break but were held out by a determined Saints line. By now there were only 10 minutes left, Canberra were finished and Saints had tackled their way to victory.
Lee Hookey was dangerous all day down the right flank and took full advantage of his opportunities. In the 73rd minute, Hookey chased a simple Brown grubber down the side and arrested the ball from Vainikolo to score. Barto kicks a rip snorter from the sideline.
Score: Saints 30 - Canberra 14
Canberra get a consolation try in the 79th minute. Score: Saints 30 - Canberra 20

FULL TIME SCORE: SAINTS WIN 30 - 20
Saints Best
3- Hookey, 2- Bailey, 1- Hart

POSTE SCRIPT: JAMIE AINSCOUGH INJURED. POSSIBLE RUPTURED BICEP TENDON - SEASON INJURY

Stats:

Lee Hookey leaving the defence in his wake	Looking for support
finding Roberts	Amos Roberts scores

Barrett contests the bomb	Andrew Hart on his way to the line
Andrew Hart waiting for the vid ref	DEFENCE

Blacklock picks up a loose ball	scoring his 20th try for 2000
	Hookey only just ankle tapped & a try goes M.I.A.

The Bullet feigns to kick	Barrett finds a flying Roberts
Amos gets his 2nd try of the day

MORE DEFENCE	Brown's trademark grubber
Lee Hookey, scoops up the ball...	...and scores a double. Top match !

THIS WEEKS SOUND FILE
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Trent Barrett interviewed by Russell Fairfax
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SCRAP BOOK
from THE SUN HERALD

Sunday, July 2, 2000
Dragons fire but suffer Ainscough blow

Two to tango ...
Dragon Craig Smith tries to shake Raider David Furner at Bruce Stadium yesterday.
Picture: ACTION PHOTOGRAPHICS

By MARIA HAWTHORNE at Bruce Stadium
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 30
CANBERRA 20

Star centre Jamie Ainscough is set to miss the Dragons' finals charge after suffering an arm injury in a 30-20 win over an uninspiring Canberra yesterday.

Ainscough may not play again this season.

"At this stage it doesn't look good," Dragons coach Andrew Farrar
said.

"It looks like he's ruptured a bicep tendon, which will mean the
season."

Interchange player Colin Ward also ended the game on the bench with
his neck in a brace, but that was more of a precaution, Farrar said.

                 The Dragons remain one point outside the eight with four rounds to
                 go, while the Raiders may slip from third to seventh by the time the
                 round is over.

The Dragons dominated the game, despite an 11-2 penalty count
against them, and were never headed.

                 Raiders coach Mal Meninga was furious with his side after the
                 disappointing loss in what was supposed to have been a testimonial
                 game for veterans David Furner and Brett Mullins, who are off to play
                 in England next year.

It was also the second-last home game for captain Laurie Daley, who
retires at the end of the season.

Meninga said Canberra lacked passion in a game in which they had so
much to play for.

"I don't know whether the players know how hard it is to win football
games," he said.

"To me it was very obvious that we've got a few guys in our team
that when it comes down to the crunch are not up to it.

                 "We've got a fair skill level in our football side, but skill doesn't win
                 you games; a desire to actually hurt a little bit and come up with
                 good results when under pressure does."

                 The Dragons led 12-4 at the break and went further ahead after just
                 four minutes with a try to winger Nathan Blacklock off a Trent Barrett
                 bomb.

The Raiders rallied with two tries midway through the half and came
within four points.

                 But an easy try to Dragons fullback Amos Roberts and a dismal day
                 with the boot for Canberra centre Luke Williamson gave the game to
                 St George Illawarra.

                 Dragons winger Lee Hookey scored with five minutes left on the clock
                 to put the game beyond doubt, despite a consolation try to Raiders
                 winger Jamaal Lolesi with 30 seconds remaining.

The Dragons had won just two away matches this season, whereas
Canberra had triumphed in 10 of their previous 11 home games.

The win boosts the Dragons' season record to 11-11 well within sight
of the top eight.

But they still have a hard road to travel, starting with a trip to Penrith
next Saturday night.

Canberra, at 12-10, remain on track for a finals appearance, although
their chance of a top-four position nosedived.

                 Despite running with a strong wind, the Dragons struggled for any
                 meaningful possession in the early stages of the match, committing
                 frivolous errors and conceding several penalties.

Only the boot of Barrett kept them in the contest as Canberra
mounted numerous raids deep inside their opponents' half.

But apart from territorial domination, the Raiders had little to show for
their early ascendancy.

In response, the Dragons counterpunched strongly through good
forward lead-up work and a bustling Hookey charge.

                 With play grinding to a halt, Barrett elected to spin the ball to
                 Hookey's wing, even though the former Souths flyer appeared well
                 covered by players such as Lesley Vainikolo, Daley and Mark
                 McLinden. Seconds later, all three tacklers lay sprawled on the Bruce
                 Stadium turf.

Hookey's bustling charge down the right-hand flank, and a deft inside
pass, sent Roberts crashing over next to the posts.

The conversion gave the Dragons a 6-0 lead in the ninth minute.

                 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 30 (A Roberts 2, N Blacklock, L Hookey, A
                 Hart tries; W Bartrim 4 goals, N Blacklock goal) beat CANBERRA 20 (J
                 Lolesi 2, J Croker, R Wiki tries; L Williamson, D Furner goals) at Bruce
                 Stadium. Crowd: 14,171. Referee: S Clark.

Brown's Verdict

The Dragons put the Raiders under immense pressure with two
towering bombs either side of half-time that directly resulted in tries.

Canberra couldn't respond. Nor did they have any answer for the
directional play of Trent Barrett.

The crafty five-eighth played a hand in three of his side's five tries,
and generally created havoc with ball in hand.

                 The Raiders' defensive line started the game moving quickly, but after
                 each try seemed to stagnate not a promising sign from a side rated a
                 top-four prospect.

Match Statistics

                 TOP TACKLERS
                 Jason Croker (Raiders) 32, Wayne Bartrim (Dragons) 29, Luke
                 Williamson (Raiders) 29, Mark McLinden (Raiders) 28, Anthony Swann
                 (Raiders) 27, Andrew Hart (Dragons) 26, Luke Bailey (Dragons) 22,
                 Terry Lamey (Dragons) 21.

                 MOST HIT-UPS
                 Craig Smith (Dragons) 22, Luke Davico (Raiders) 16, Luke Bailey
                 (Dragons) 16, David Furner (Raiders) 14, Todd Payten (Raiders) 13,
                 Andrew Hart (Dragons) 13, Ruben Wiki (Raiders) 10, Darren Treacy
                 (Dragons) 11.

                 COMPLETION RATES
                 Raiders - 26/40 (65%)
                 Dragons - 28/35 (80%)

                 TIME IN POSSESSION
                 Raiders - 47%
                 Dragons - 53%

                 MISSED TACKLES
                 Raiders - 28
                 Dragons - 21

                 LINE BREAKS
                 Raiders - 8
                 Dragons - 6

                 ERRORS
                 Raiders - 12
                 Dragons - 11

REFEREE & TOUCH JUDGES & VID REF

REFEREE: Steven Clark

Total Referee or Touch Judge errors = 6
Errors in favour of Saints = 1
Errors in favour of Canberra = 5
Penalty Count: Saints 2 - Canberra 11
Ref Errors:
50 min: Late tackle on McFadden. Error favours Saints.
53 min: After penalising Saints twice for offside, the ref fails to do the same when Canberra are blatantly offside. One of the many occasions of ref inconsistency. Error favours Canberra.
54 min: The inconsistency continues when Saints are penalised for being marginally offside. One the Dragons' players (probably Barrett) said 'no we're not!' - Saints are penalised for back chatting. This is precious stuff and nothing to do with football. Error favours Canberra.
59 min: Late tackle on Murphy. Error favours Canberra.
63 min: Pass from Barrett is incorrectly ruled forward - it went half a metre back. Saints were once again in a try scoring position only to be called back by ref error. Error favours Canberra
67 min: Canberra knock on but ref rules against Saints and awards scrum to Canberra who score try soon after. Error favours Canberra
Comments:
Saints got their first penalty in the 4th minute but had to wait a further 40 minutes before they got another. A procession of 2nd half penalties favouring Canberra kept the home side in the match. Many of these penalties were crowd calls. Most annoying was the ref's insistence to 'warn' Canberra players continually while penalising Saints' players without hesitation. On one occasion, while Canberra are receiving an avalanche of penalties, Brown asks the ref for a fair go and lets him know that we've only had 2 penalties all day. Clark replies by saying that 'I wouldn't have a clue how many you've had' - not good enough I'm afraid. The ref is showing definite reaction to crowd booing and appeared to lose his way on more than a few occasions.

Overall rating: 5 / 10

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