Round 1
Wests Tigers 24 d. St.George-Illawarra Dragons 16

2008 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Marshall out for 8-10 weeks
Tue March 18, 2008
Source: www.weststigers.com.au

Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall will be out for eight to 10 weeks following scans today on his injured left knee.

Club doctor Donald Kuah said the scans confirmed the initial posterior cruciate ligament diagnosis.

"It is important to note there has been no cartilage damage to the joint,'' Dr Kuah said.

"There are no other injuries or ligaments sustained in the joint.

"With regards to this type of injury, there are other players in the league who have played many years with the injury.

"It is an injury that we can do rehabilitation work on.''

News source: www.weststigers.com.au


Brown slams disappointing Dragons
Mon March 17, 2008
St George Illawarra has slammed his players performance following their 24-16 loss to the Wests Tigers yesterday and admitted it was the most disappointed he has been in his time at the Club.

Brown during his 171 playing career at the Dragons was involved in three Grand Finals where they all lost in heart breaking circumstances in 1993, 1996 and 1999.

As a coach Brown was involved in a controversial face slapping incident with Trent Barrett in 2003 and in 2005 had his best opportunity to guide his side to a Premiership taken away in 80 minutes by the Wests Tigers of all sides. The Dragons were in the final four in 2006 only to go down to Melbourne in a game that was there for the taking if they were on their game.

However, despite the previous disappointments as a player or coach, Brown rates yesterday as the worst he has felt.

Brown said, "In all my time as both a coach and a player that is possibly the most disappointed I have been.

"After the pre-season we had and to come out and play like that doesn't sit well.

"I had some guys out there today that I just don't think tried or thought about how they played and we made a number of mistakes which gave them opportunities.

"Teams have this perception with us that if they stick with us then eventually we will give them something and it is the main thing that I'm going to have to change."

Brown has been under consistent fire from Dragons supporters right from the moment he took on the coaching job. Brown was coach of the Dragons Jersey Flegg side in 2002 that went through undefeated only to lose the Grand Final against the Roosters. Brown was promoted to the top grade side replacing Andrew Farrar who was sacked after two and a half years in the top job.

In a change of coaching landscapes in recent seasons only Wayne Bennett and Steve Folkes have been at their clubs longer than Brown with Bennett already confirming that he'll be leaving Brisbane and Saturday's second half collapse has ensured that Folkes won't be at the Bulldogs next year. Current Wests Tigers mentor Tim Sheens took on the Tigers job for the 2003 season and North Queensland coach Graham Murray was appointed coach during the 2003 season. Sheens will be at Wests next year whereas Murray is on his way.

Brown has the big advantage in that he has the unbackable support of chief executive Peter Doust and whilst Doust has the majority control at the Dragons Brown's position is safe as their friendship is very close. But the unrelenting pressure Brown has been under will be getting to him and factions within the Dragons are looking at alternatives for next year.

The Dragons yesterday played without structure and direction, which Brown has to work out how he is delivering his message to the players and what is happening on the training paddock that isn't making the field of play. Brown needs to stamp his authority and make tough decisions or do the honourable thing and walk with dignity.

St George Illawarra hosts the inform Gold Coast Titans in Round 2 action where they'll be looking for a big performance on home soil to bounce back from last week.

Mon March 17, 2008
• Wests Tigers victory soured by Marshall injury
  
Sun March 9, 2008
• Wests Tigers v Dragons now at SFS
  
Fri March 7, 2008
• SCG MacGill puts Wests Tigers in a spin
  

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