Round 6
Bulldogs 30 d. St.George-Illawarra Dragons 18

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

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

ABC Interviews following Bulldogs victory over Dragons
Mon April 21, 2008
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

ABC Grandstand spoke to Bulldogs players Luke Patten and Daniel Holdsworth along with coach Steve Folkes following the Bulldogs 30-18 victory against the Dragons.

ABC:
A good performance from the Bulldogs tonight?

Patten:
Yeah, a bit scrappy but we needed that two points, we've got one more game going into the Bye so we really needed to get two points this week and hopefully two points next week.

ABC:
Scrappy but possibly solid with some flashes of brilliance?

Patten:
Yeah it was a big improvement on last week and we've talked about it we just need to hold the footy we've got points in us and I think that showed tonight. We did let them in for a couple of tries at the end but I think overall we should be fairly happy.

ABC:
What was the main message from the coach at halftime. You looked like you'd only go in with an eight-point lead, all of a sudden it became 14.

Patten:
Yeah just keep it simple really, just hold onto the footy and keep going through them. As I said we created enough opportunities to score points and that's how it turned out.

ABC:
You've got a few ex-Dragons in the line-up here this evening so no doubt there is going to be some celebrations.

Patten:
Oh yeah, it's always good to beat the Dragons, we've had a fairly good run over them over the years and as you said got a few ex-Dragons so we're fairly happy.

ABC:
You've described it as solid, described it as workmen like, but you're going to need to be better than that against the Sea Eagles next weekend.

Patten:
Yeah we are going over to 'The Fortress' I think we've got a fairly good record there and we do play well away from home aswell so we'll go over there confident and see how we go.

ABC:
Well done on the victory Luke thanks for talking to Grandstand Rugby League.

---------------

ABC:
I've got Daniel Holdsworth with me and another former Dragon turned Bulldog, you've gotta be happy with the result tonight?

Holdsworth:
Yeah it's always good coming up against your former club and to get a win is even better.

ABC:
I guess a fairly solid performance from the team?

Holdsworth:
Yeah, going into this game we needed a win so our first half sort of set it up for us, bit sloppy at the end but it's good to get a win.

ABC:
Yourself with Ben Roberts, the combination, how is that started to develop now?

Holdsworth:
Yeah we're working hard me and Benny we're still new at it, probably 10 games into it so we'll keep working hard at training Joey is helping us out so if we keep going, a few more wins we'll be good.

ABC:
Sonny Bill was in impressive form this evening.

Holdsworth:
As always mate. He is a freak, just sit back and marvel at what he does on the field it's a pleasure to have him on our team.

ABC:
And the goal kicking tonight, a beautiful one from the sideline, the first one just a sider?

Holdsworth:
Yeah, bit nervous the first one but I don't mind goalkicking it's alright mate.

ABC:
Congratulations on the victory Daniel thanks for talking to Grandstand.

---------------

ABC:
With Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes and Steve I guess you're a pretty happy coach for 60 minutes but the last 20 you got a bit scrappy.

Folkes:
Yeah it was pretty ordinary, both sides in the last 20 were very average but I was happy enough with the first 60 we did enough to get a considerable lead and play some good footy along the way although still not consistent enough for mine and we need to keep working much harder than that.

ABC:
Did you have to adjust your halftime talk, you're up by eight points going into the break and then all-of-a-sudden you're up by 14?

Folkes:
Yeah I was actually cursing at the referee for blowing time off with 20 seconds to go because I was under the impression that we were allowed 40 seconds to take the kick but in the end it turned out to be six points for us so I probably won't complain about it now.

ABC:
The opening of the second half some pretty football from the Bulldogs though.

Folkes:
Yeah as I said we scored three tries from kicks tonight I think which is a bit of a turnaround from the first part of the year so that was pleasing. We did a lot and didn't capitalise on a lot of it too, we threw a fair bit at them, got over the line or pushed over the corner post a couple of times on that far side - next week that might be tries so we keep working on them.

ABC:
Sonny Bill was in special form this evening.

Folkes:
Yeah he's a special player isn't he, that was a great ball from Tsoulos to put him in that hole for Danny Williams' try so yeah he just knows where to be, knows what to do and generally does the right thing most of the time so he is certainly a real big part of our side.

ABC:
The halves combination I guess have attracted a little bit of criticism for a slow start but Holdsworth and Roberts' performance tonight?

Folkes:
(chuckles) They're not the only halves partnering to drag some criticism. Benny has been really solid for us all year, Daniel has sort of been a little bit patchy but tonight.. and they get on really well and they're guiding us around the park okay it's just the individual touches that sometimes leave a little bit to be desired but they're working really hard, Andrew Johns has given them plenty of encouragement and direction and they're both only young and they're both still learning their trade so it's hard to be too critical of them.

ABC:
You mention you're gonna need improvement and I guess that'll start next week against the Manly side.

Folkes:
Oh absolutely yeah. We certainly won't be able to give Manly the latitude that at times we gave the Saints tonight so it will be another tough game but we've got the Bye after that so we're hoping to go into the Bye on 10 points so that would stick us up there in the top 4 or 5 I would think.

ABC:
Congratulations on the victory tonight Steve thanks for talking to Grandstand Rugby League.

News source: www.bulldogs.com.au


Bulldogs wind back the clock for Heritage Round
Wed April 16, 2008
Source: www.bulldogs.com.au

The Mitsubishi Electric Bulldogs are winding back the clock for this weekend's NRL heritage round match against the Dragons at ANZ Stadium, with tickets prices not witnessed for many years.

The Bulldogs are offering a pre-purchased family ticket for just $20 which equates to as low as $5 per person. Supporters of both the Bulldogs and the Dragons are advised to move quickly as there is a limit of only 500 hundred packages available.

Bulldogs Chief Executive Mr Todd Greenberg said this is reward for the great support the Bulldogs have received from their loyal fans and an encouragement for the Dragons fans to join in the celebrations.

"The Bulldogs supporters have been out in force this year and the players really appreciate their support. This was clearly evident in our last game at ANZ stadium, when a crowd of 36,526 smashed the previous crowd record for a NRL premiership match in Sydney and set a new Bulldogs home game record," Mr Greenberg said.

To purchase tickets log onto www.ticketek.com.au or call 132849.

News sent by: www.bulldogs.com.au

Tue April 15, 2008
• Utai replaces injured El Masri
  

Advanced Search