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AS the NRL’s biggest pack, the Bulldogs aren’t wary of many players in the competition. But heading into Monday’s clash against archrivals St George Illawarra, prop Aiden Tolman concedes there is one player making the Bulldogs nervous.
“Russell Packer has been playing really good football for the Dragons,” Tolman said. “He is definitely one of the guys in the middle who gets their sets going and we need to do a good job on him.”
It’s rare a rugby league player nominates one opponent for praise days out from battle, but Packer is a different case.
Russell Packer has been in good form for the Dragons this year.
The New Zealand-born bookend has overcome plenty in the past two years to take his place in the Dragons’ line-up.
Packer spent 12 months in jail after being found guilty of assaulting a man in 2013. It was a difficult period that led to serious doubts over his playing future in the NRL.
Packer, though, never gave up and has worked to get back to where he is.
Tolman admits he is inspired by the determination of his fellow forward.
“He (Packer) has been out of the game for two years, so he has done really well to come back,” Tolman said. “It just shows the quality of player he is and rugby league is to pick him and take him back in.”
Packer has played all 12 matches for the Dragons this season and has made 1,245 running metres.
Canterbury big man David Klemmer is another who has noticed the strong form of the ex-Warrior.
“Russell is a big boy and he has got a good play-the-ball on him, so we’ll have to slow the ruck up there,” Klemmer said. “He is performing well, so it’s going to be a tough game for us.”
The Bulldogs and Dragons are locked on 14 competition points heading into Monday’s clash at ANZ Stadium.
With teams like the Titans, and the Dragons, on the same points as the Bulldogs this week is must-win for them. Picture Gregg Porteous
Tolman says the match is a must-win, especially with the bye the following week.
“A lot people say it’s a four-point game and it is for us,” he said. “We are on the same points as the Dragons and we want to make sure we are staying well in that top eight.
“Ideally you want to finish in the top four or at least get the home semi and we feel we are a good enough team to do that.”
Tolman admitted the key for Canterbury was consistency through the full 80 minutes — something they failed to do in their last-minute loss to Cronulla last Monday night.
The Bulldogs can only look on as James Maloney’s conversion wins last Monday’s game for the Sharks.
“I think we need to be better at closing out games,” he said.
“I know against Canberra we were 12 points ahead and they ended up running us down. That’s something we need to fix up.
“We are confident we can get the job done because we matched it with the best in the competition.
“We know we can do it, but it’s just fixing up those minor things because teams are too good these days. If you switch off for even one set, that’s it and it’s a try.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...1dd3f9c964eb944ff067ecc62#load-story-comments
“Russell Packer has been playing really good football for the Dragons,” Tolman said. “He is definitely one of the guys in the middle who gets their sets going and we need to do a good job on him.”
It’s rare a rugby league player nominates one opponent for praise days out from battle, but Packer is a different case.
Russell Packer has been in good form for the Dragons this year.
The New Zealand-born bookend has overcome plenty in the past two years to take his place in the Dragons’ line-up.
Packer spent 12 months in jail after being found guilty of assaulting a man in 2013. It was a difficult period that led to serious doubts over his playing future in the NRL.
Packer, though, never gave up and has worked to get back to where he is.
Tolman admits he is inspired by the determination of his fellow forward.
“He (Packer) has been out of the game for two years, so he has done really well to come back,” Tolman said. “It just shows the quality of player he is and rugby league is to pick him and take him back in.”
Packer has played all 12 matches for the Dragons this season and has made 1,245 running metres.
Canterbury big man David Klemmer is another who has noticed the strong form of the ex-Warrior.
“Russell is a big boy and he has got a good play-the-ball on him, so we’ll have to slow the ruck up there,” Klemmer said. “He is performing well, so it’s going to be a tough game for us.”
The Bulldogs and Dragons are locked on 14 competition points heading into Monday’s clash at ANZ Stadium.
With teams like the Titans, and the Dragons, on the same points as the Bulldogs this week is must-win for them. Picture Gregg Porteous
Tolman says the match is a must-win, especially with the bye the following week.
“A lot people say it’s a four-point game and it is for us,” he said. “We are on the same points as the Dragons and we want to make sure we are staying well in that top eight.
“Ideally you want to finish in the top four or at least get the home semi and we feel we are a good enough team to do that.”
Tolman admitted the key for Canterbury was consistency through the full 80 minutes — something they failed to do in their last-minute loss to Cronulla last Monday night.
The Bulldogs can only look on as James Maloney’s conversion wins last Monday’s game for the Sharks.
“I think we need to be better at closing out games,” he said.
“I know against Canberra we were 12 points ahead and they ended up running us down. That’s something we need to fix up.
“We are confident we can get the job done because we matched it with the best in the competition.
“We know we can do it, but it’s just fixing up those minor things because teams are too good these days. If you switch off for even one set, that’s it and it’s a try.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...1dd3f9c964eb944ff067ecc62#load-story-comments
