roc-a-fella
Not impressed..
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- Oct 6, 2003
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MELBOURNE firebrand Michael Crocker yesterday tossed a hand grenade at under-achieving St George Illawarra by declaring: "They have let down their fans in recent years."
Crocker admitted the Dragons' lack of premiership success will be a key factor in Saturday night's preliminary final at Homebush.
The Dragons have failed to win a premiership as a joint-venture club – despite annually boasting one of the game's strongest rosters.
Crocker admitted St George Illa- warra "haven't done the job" in past seasons.
"I think they owe a lot to themselves and their fans to really step up," Crocker said.
"They've admitted themselves that they have probably let themselves and their fans down the last few years.
"Every club in the competition would love to have the talent and depth they have got at their disposal.
"They haven't done the job when it counts but that probably only makes them more determined to do so this week."
Crocker, however, claimed the Dragons were looking more relaxed than previous seasons.
"They would be disappointed the way they have finished in the past four or five years when they were good chances to win the competition," he said.
"But they are playing with more confidence this time around.
"They seem more relaxed and have got their heads around things and are in a good state of mind.
"Every team is under some sort of pressure. It's now or never. It's do or die. No one wants to go out before the grand final.
"We'd be disappointed in ourselves if we didn't go all the way after playing so consistently all season."
Storm coach Craig Bellamy also entered the Dragons debate last night.
"I think over the last couple of years they have had the best list in the competition," Bellamy said.
"They always seem to be favourites at the start of the year and there isn't too many games they start in that they're not expected to win.
"That probably does put the pressure on them. No one expects us to do anything. They didn't expect us to make the finals and they don't expect us to go beyond this week. There is no pressure on us."
Melbourne forward David Kidwell also claimed the Dragons would play under pressure.
"I hear they are the new competition favourites and that is a hype they have to deal with," Kidwell said.
"They have a tremendous list and with a few guys leaving I'm sure they do have a feeling that this has to be their year.
"That brings a certain pressure with it and I'm sure the Sydney media and their fans will be expecting big things from them.
"I know from my time at the Roosters that it can get to you a bit and I guess we're fortunate down here we are fairly well shielded from that.
"We'll prepare as we always do and head up there with a fair bit of confidence."
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crocker sh!t can SMD for all i care cos if i remember correctly, he wasnt even playing finals footy last year with the roosters, the 2 years before they got smashed in the grand final and the storm arent exactly the 2005 premiers so i dont know what makes him think he can talk.
Crocker admitted the Dragons' lack of premiership success will be a key factor in Saturday night's preliminary final at Homebush.
The Dragons have failed to win a premiership as a joint-venture club – despite annually boasting one of the game's strongest rosters.
Crocker admitted St George Illa- warra "haven't done the job" in past seasons.
"I think they owe a lot to themselves and their fans to really step up," Crocker said.
"They've admitted themselves that they have probably let themselves and their fans down the last few years.
"Every club in the competition would love to have the talent and depth they have got at their disposal.
"They haven't done the job when it counts but that probably only makes them more determined to do so this week."
Crocker, however, claimed the Dragons were looking more relaxed than previous seasons.
"They would be disappointed the way they have finished in the past four or five years when they were good chances to win the competition," he said.
"But they are playing with more confidence this time around.
"They seem more relaxed and have got their heads around things and are in a good state of mind.
"Every team is under some sort of pressure. It's now or never. It's do or die. No one wants to go out before the grand final.
"We'd be disappointed in ourselves if we didn't go all the way after playing so consistently all season."
Storm coach Craig Bellamy also entered the Dragons debate last night.
"I think over the last couple of years they have had the best list in the competition," Bellamy said.
"They always seem to be favourites at the start of the year and there isn't too many games they start in that they're not expected to win.
"That probably does put the pressure on them. No one expects us to do anything. They didn't expect us to make the finals and they don't expect us to go beyond this week. There is no pressure on us."
Melbourne forward David Kidwell also claimed the Dragons would play under pressure.
"I hear they are the new competition favourites and that is a hype they have to deal with," Kidwell said.
"They have a tremendous list and with a few guys leaving I'm sure they do have a feeling that this has to be their year.
"That brings a certain pressure with it and I'm sure the Sydney media and their fans will be expecting big things from them.
"I know from my time at the Roosters that it can get to you a bit and I guess we're fortunate down here we are fairly well shielded from that.
"We'll prepare as we always do and head up there with a fair bit of confidence."
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crocker sh!t can SMD for all i care cos if i remember correctly, he wasnt even playing finals footy last year with the roosters, the 2 years before they got smashed in the grand final and the storm arent exactly the 2005 premiers so i dont know what makes him think he can talk.
