This is the game plan i would employ to beat the dragons
To state the obvious, it's all about field position and as it looks like being a wet track this is even more important. The most crucial part of the game is going to be getting out of your own end of the field, the team that does this the best will win the game. I would use a lot of dummy half runs using my wingers,centres and fullback to have quick scoots this would also allow quicker play the balls than if the big forwards were rucking it up.Kick on early tackles behind the wingers,keep the ball away from boyd. I would target Morris,kicking behind him than gang tackling him in the corner taking him out of the next few hit ups(just like the bulldogs did to grothe in the 84 GF).The dummy half runs would be up the middle to tire the big boys like Weyman.
When in attacking position i would try to get Anasta one on one with Soward, the key to this is Carney.Early on i would have him drifting across throwing dummys and going himself to keep the inside defenders watching him, than he can start hitting Anasta with a decoy runner angling in to take the inside defender leaving Soward exposed.Manly did this on numerous occasions in the first week of the finals but for some reason Williams kept going back infield.
The roosters have a great kick team and need to use this to there advantage by keeping the ball in play as much as possible as the Dragons like to slow the game down, dont let them dictate the pace of the game.
All pretty simple in theory but hard to put into practice,good luck Smithy you deserve a title next to your name.
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But seriously, The Bennett and Smith show, has been fun to watch all these years with Wayne edging out Brian on numerous occasions. While i dislike the pair of them, i wish Brian all the luck for tomorrow with the Roosters.
Like Brian said on Mad Monday's interview "Wayne already has six, maybe he can let me get one" .
The Dragons love the arm wrestle and being in control of the speed of the game so if the game tightens up it will suit the Dragons especially if it's a wet track. They will strangle the life out of the Roosters and pressure them into mistakes.
The Roosters best chance is to take the Dragons out of their comfort zone. Shock them. Score some early points, take the lead and keep up a high intensity game. Pressure the Dragons away from their usual disciplined controlled approach and force them to take risks. If the game opens up it will suit the Roosters.