Joe Ofahengaue (Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images)[/caption]1st Preliminary Final
St George Illawarra Dragons v Brisbane Broncos
Friday, September 26, 5:15pm, ANZ Stadium - LIVE on Fox Sports 1
102. That's the number of points the Dragons put past the Broncos in their two encounters earlier this season. In Round 2, fullback Matt Dufty was the star, scoring a double in the Dragons 44-14 victory. While in Round 25, Jack Bird took over the fullback role and starred himself, with halfback Adam Clune bagging four tries in the Red V's 58-18 demolition job. Brisbane will need to forget about all that when the two sides clash on Friday. Last weekend, down by 10 at half time, the junior Broncos' showed outstanding maturity and resiliency to score 34 unanswered points and eliminate the Tigers. They will need to continue that second half form from the get go against the Dragons. An early lead for the Dragons could lead to elimination for the Broncos.
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Sitiveni Moceidreke 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brent Anderson 5. Izaac Thompson 6.Shannon Crook 7. Adam Clune 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Thomas Freebairn 10. Vincent Stowers 11.Wesley Lolo 12. Jack Bird 13. Jay Gallagher. Interchange: 14. Andrew McCarthy 15. Hayden McRae 16. Jack Kavanagh 17. George Lolo 18. Drew Hutchison19. Luciano Leilua 20. Jacob Host 22. Hame Sele. Coach: Dean Young & Ben Hornby.
Brisbane Broncos
1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Paul Byrnes 3. Tom Opacic 4. Jordan Drew 5. Jack Tuttle 6. Duncan Paia'Aua 7.Ashley Taylor 8. Aaron Rockley 9. Jayden Berrell 10. Jo Ofanhengaue 11. Brett Greinke 12. Brendon McBryde 13. Jai Arrow. Interchange: 14. Jayden Nikorima 15. George Fai 16. Ajuma Adams 17. Alex Barr 18. Kalolo Saitaua. Coach: Craig Hodges
How They Got There
St George Illawarra - Finals Week 1 - Won 30-22 v Knights
Brisbane - Finals Week 1 - Lost 26-32 v Eels, Finals Week 2 - Won 42-18 v Tigers.
Head to Head
Played 12, Dragons 7, Broncos 4, Draw 1
2014 Head to Head
Round 25 - St George Illawarra 58 - 18 Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium
Round 4 - St George Illawarra 44 - 14 Brisbane at WIN Stadium
Biggest Head to Head Wins
St George Illawarra d. Brisbane 58 - 18 at Suncorp Stadium, Round 25, 2014
Brisbane d. St George Illawarra 26 - 14 at WIN Stadium, Round 5, 2010
Keep An Eye On
Jack Bird (Dragons) - Bird was the difference in the Dragons' 8-point victory over the Knights two weeks ago. The second rower turned centre scored a double, made 19 hit-ups and broke an astonishing 15 tackles. The local Illawarra junior will be looking to end his time at the club on a high after signing a deal with Cronulla during the week.
Joe Ofahengaue (Broncos) - The nephew of former Wallaby Willie Ofahengaue, big Joe has been the forward leader for the Broncos in 2014. In the first week of the finals, Ofahengaue ran for 246 metres against Parramatta. He backed it up with another strong performance against the Tigers. Look out for him to lead from the front again.
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Sam Lisone (Photo: Photosport)[/caption]2nd Preliminary Final
Parramatta Eels v Warriors
Saturday, September 27, 5:15pm, ANZ Stadium - LIVE on Fox Sports 1
Much like the other preliminary final, the Eels' have the wood over their opponents so far in 2o14. The Blue and Gold's blew the junior Warriors off the park in Round 1, winning by 36 points at Pirtek Stadium. In their second encounter in Round 18, the Warriors lead by 1 point before a late try to the Eels' gave them a 3 point victory. The 8th placed Warriors have turned the corner in the finals with upset victories of the Roosters and the Knights the last two weeks, now a fourth straight trip to Sydney beckons. Expect a lot of points when these two attacking juggernauts face off on Saturday afternoon. Of the remaining four sides, these two sides scored the most points in the regular season.
Parramatta Eels
1. Nathan Davis 2. Leva Li 3. Fabian Goodall 4. John Folau 5. Halauafu Lavaka 6. Ryan Matterson 7. Zach Docker-Clay 8. Kelepi Tanginoa 9. Joey Lussick 10. Tui Kamikamica 11. Josh Aloiai 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Jeff Markus. Interchange: 14. Jordan Muna 15. Tepai Tepu-Smith 16. Alex Twal 17. Fred Junior Mauala. Coach: Justin Holbrook.
Warriors
1. Brad Abbey 2. Ngataua Hukatai 3. Nathaniel Roache 4. Solomone Kata 5. Metia Lisati 6.Tuimoala Lolohea 7. Mason Lino 8. Sam Lisone 9. Kurt Robinson 10. Kouma Samson 11. Marata Niukore 12. Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard 13. Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: 14. James Bell 15. Toafofoa Sipley 16. Ken Maumalo 17. Iulio Afoa 20. Ofahiki Ogden. Coach: Stacey Jones.
How They Got There
Parramatta - Finals Week 1 - Won 32-26 v Broncos
Warriors - Finals Week 1 - Won 44-30 v Roosters, Finals Week 2 - Won 23-16 v Knights
Head to Head
Played 11, Parramatta 5, Warriors 5, Draw 1
2014 Head to Head
Round 18 - Parramatta 22 - 19 Warriors at Mt Smart Stadium
Round 1 - Parramatta 54 - 20 Warriors at Pirtek Stadium
Biggest Head to Head Wins
Parramatta d. Warriors 46 - 8 at Parramatta Stadium, Round 1, 2013
Warriors d. Parramatta 52 - 6 at Parramatta Stadium, Round 26, 2010
Keep An Eye On
Kelepi Tanginoa (Eels) - The North Queensland-bound forward was at his destructive best against the Broncos two weeks ago. Running for 246 metres and making 2 line breaks, Tanginoa's go forward is key to the Eels' Premiership chances. With 13 NRL games under his belt, Tanginoa is Parra's most experienced forward.
Sam Lisone (Warriors) - Lisone has firmly established himself as the leader of the Warriors pack. The side's co-captain, Lisone followed up his double against the Roosters with another impressive performance against the Minor Premiers last weekend. The Warriors NYC Player of the Year, Lisone's battle with Tanginoa is shaping up to be a good one.
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