Round 1
Tigers 24 d. Dragons 15

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Wests Tigers
Paul Whatuira [CT] 12 Pts; 3t
Brett Hodgson [FB] 4 Pts; 2/6g
Anthony Laffranchi [SR] 4 Pts; 1t
Michael Crockett [BE] 4 Pts; 1t
Injury: Benji Marshall Suffered broken cheekbone - out for up to six weeks, 39th minute

St.George-Illawarra Dragons
Mark Gasnier [CT] 12 Pts; 3t
Wes Naiqama [WG] 2 Pts; 1/3g
Trent Barrett [F8] 1 Pts; 1fg



Marshall magic and fractured cheekbone
Fri March 10, 2006
Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall has already confirmed himself as one of the absolute elite players in the game today and tonight against the Dragons he proved he's one of the toughest running around.

Marshall played the entire second half with a fractured cheekbone but it didn't stop him adding another moment that will be replayed and replayed throughout the season. With the Tigers down by a point heading into the final five minutes, Marshall produced one of the most freakish offloads that resulted in a try for debutant winger Michael Crockett. Marshall's footwork was at his best where he sucked in the defenders and gave Crockett a free run to the line. The setup and pass from Marshall was as good as his effort in the Grand Final last year where he setup a remarkable try for Pat Richards, which is continually replayed today.

News was confirmed after the match that Marshall suffered a fractured cheekbone bone, which will keep him out for anywhere between 3-8 weeks. The loss of Marshall is a devastating blow for the premiers as he adds the attacking brilliance and x-factor to a talented young side. Marshall's absence in the World Club Challenge was telling where the Tigers looked flat and lacklustre.

Despite Marshall's setback and the serious shoulder injury to Liam Fulton, the Wests Tigers were happy after fulltime with coach Tim Sheens very satisified with the performance.

The clash between the premiers and the favourites produced a match of the highest standard and started the Rugby League season off in great fashion with both sides producing a great display.

Mark Gasnier and Paul Whatuira scored three tries each but both will be over shadowed by the brilliance of Marshall, the courage of Marshall and the injury to Marshall.


Premiers start the season where they left off
Fri March 10, 2006
2005 Premiers Wests Tigers have started the season where they finished last year with an impressive 24-15 victory against perennial under-achievers and premiership favourites St George Illawarra in front of over 27,000 at Telstra Stadium.

The Wests Tigers have been written off in many circles following Scott Prince's sensational departure to the Gold Coast for next year where he stood down from the captaincy plus the hangover from winning last year. The Bulldogs last year defeated the Dragons impressively in their premiership defence but the season fell away during the second half. Wests Tigers will hopefully have a better run with injuries and they played the same style of football that got them over the line last year.

It wasn't all good news for the premiers with lock Liam Fulton coming off after only a few minutes with a very serious shoulder injury, which will keep him out for a large chunk of the season.

The match was highlighted by the performances of Wests Tigers centre Paul Whatuira and Dragons centre Mark Gasnier as they both scored three tries. Gasnier confirmed his status as the No.1 centre in the game and his price tag has gone through the roof with the ARU set to offer him a deal out of this world with Wendell Sailor's stardom starting to fade out. Whatuira continues to be the most under-rated yet one of the most highly effective centre's in the game and he's won premierships with both Penrith and Wests Tigers.

St George Illawarra led 10-8 at halftime in a first half with the margin indicating the closeness between the two sides. Jason Ryles was sent to the sin bin one minute remaining before the break due to an incident involving Bryce Gibbs.

The Dragons skipped out to a 14-8 lead into the second half but the Tigers leveled up the scores.

Trent Barrett landed a drop goal in the 74th minute but two late tries to the home side saw them emerge victors in a high standard game of football.

It was a good first up victory as captain for Brett Hodgson as he begins a new era as leader of the Wests Tigers.

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