Wollongong Destructors
Very few people know about the Wollongong Destructors, their coach or their players. A mysterious club with a media shy coach and a loyalty based recruitment policy. If you go through the Wollongong line-up from previous seasons, you'll notice that the side has not change or if so it'd be very little. It is with that, that many see this shot at the Bob Fulton Cup as one of their 'last shots'.
With retirement close in mind, Wollongong have ageing stars such as Stacey Jones, Robbie Keanrs, Lance Thompson, Ian Hindmarsh and Darren Smith who are all looking to go out with some achievement behind them. It's with this, that Wollongong can over come the raging Gold Coast Crusade who have proved year after their their dominance. Fueled with raw emotion, Wollongong has enough of a mix of experience and youth.
Let's look at their likely squad
Backline;
1. Brett Hodgson
2. Richie Mathers
3. Brian Bower
4. Shaun Berrigan
5. Luke Covell
A dynamitc backline which is the engine of the Wollongong attack. These 5 players alone have scored more tries combined then perhaps the rest of the 25 man squad plus add two active goal kickers in Hodgson and Covell and you have your money makers. Only problem is, are the Destructors putting all their money in the one basket?
Halves;
6. Danny McGuire
7. Stacey Jones
This is where experience meets youth. Level headed New Zealand halfback Stacey Jones will have enough focus and knowledge to work with the Wollongong backline and keep the Crusade defenders guessing, while Danny McGuire plays a more ball running option in the attack. McGuire all season has formed a combination with Brett Hodgson which has seen many defenders drawn into McGurie while Hodgson pop through a gap.
Forwards;
8. Robbie Kearns
9. Josh Valentine
10. Ryan Bailey
11. Seamus O'Grady
12. Lance Thompson
13. Paul Gallen
While most sides boast about having a pack full of meter gaining forwards, the Destructors contain more of an old school 80's pack which was focused more on defence, which would explain why their defence ratings are similar to the top form teams like Wellington. While the pack definately has the experience to know what they are doing, Wollongong will need to kick into gear to offer another dimension into their attack.
Bench;
14. Jame Soward
15. Sebastian Mpofu
16. Derrek Lawton
17. Raymond Ruaporo
If anything is going to let down this side, it's the impact of the bench. No real match winner or player who could step up another notch. One injury to a big name, and we could see a cricket score against them, especially within the forwards.
Previous Achievements;
2002/03: Division One Grand Finalist
2005: Minor Semi-Finalist
Where Will They Fail?
If Wollongong fail to beat Gold Coast, it's because they are a one trick pony... always have and if they don't externally recruit, they always will. The basic game plan of fowards working defence, halves looking for space to give the backline some movement. Stacey Jones is the lynchpin of the Destructors outfit, take him out and the machine breaks down. Wollongong also need to find a way to use Jamie Soward within the run-on. This kid has talent and would start at many other clubs.
Where Will They Win?
If Wollongong are to win the match, they need to out perform Gold Coast which is no easy feat when they are lead around the park by the World Greatest player: Andrew Johns. Wollongong will definately start on the back end of the game at kick off, but as we've seen time and time again, it's anyones ball game. So watch Stacey for their magic!
Gold Coast Crusade
What more can be added to their name which hasn't been said in their 8 season reign of domination. No seriously... they posess one of the best sides in the competition, they continue to raise amazing juniors every year, a good majority of their squad has tasted representitive football, their coach is the current Australian coach and is undefeated in the Origin series, plus they are lead around the park by the Worlds Best Football Player.
Not to mention the three premierships and three Bob Fulton Cup finals victories. The Gold Coast franchise speaks for itself, and it speaks pure class!
Let's look at their likely squad
Backline;
1. Julian Santarakista
2. Luke Rooney
3. Karl Pratt
4. Gordon D'Arcy
5. Tommy O'Reilly
With Matt King sustaining a major injury, the likely replacement we feel is Karl Pratt who's played an amazing game of utility off the bench all season. If Wollongongs backline is going to win the Destructors the match, I'm looking the exact same way at the Crusade. It's not just the try scoring abilities of Rooney and Santarakista who have 39 tries between them, let alone adding D'Arcy 13 and O'Reillys 11. This is a seriously lethal backline which scares me. Three of these players are in the Top 10 Players of the Year and that is a worry to any opposition.
Halves;
6. Kevin Sinfield
7. Andrew Johns
While Sinfield will leave the club at the end of the season, don't expect him to go out lightly... the combination with Johns has been lethal. Andrew Johns is in the form of his life and I'm not sure if even god could stop him right now. Owning 20 PoM's on his own, it just shows how much the Gold Coast unit needs Johns, which often baffles people when he made a season move to Wellington. Johns and the backline are the keys members to watch and is it really any suprise?
Forwards;
8. Jason Stevens
9. Danny Buderus
10. Danny Nutley
11. Steve Simpson
12. Clint Newton
13. Ben Kennedy
If Johns is the key to the backline, you'll find a double blow in the forward pack in the form of Danny Burderus and Ben Kennedy. Buderus is the perfect all round hooker which any coach would sell their children for while Kennedy is a monster who leads by example and lucky for him, he's got a willing pack including Stevens, Nutley, Simpson and Newton who are know for their hardwork and never give up enthusam. The Gold Coast pack definately have the wood on the Destructors but their form coming into the Bob Fulton Cup is less then desirable.
Bench;
14. Louis Anderson
15. Steven Southern
16. Reegan Tanner
17. Milton Thaidy
With Matt King withdrawing from the B.F.C squad and the Sydney Times adding Karl Pratt to the backline, we've thought Reegan Tanner should see a promotion onto the bench. A hard working and over-all solid forward which has the blessing of a goal kicking boot. Steve Southern is unlucky to be in the starting line-up while Louis Anderson and Milton Thaidy have shown plenty of promise for next season. The bench is full of energy and a drive to win and no matter the odds, I think they are up for the challange.
Previous Achievements;
Too many to count, I ain't even bothering
Where Will They Fail?
If Gold Coast lose the match, it'll be because either Wollongong have found a formular to shut down Andrew Johns that no one else has found, or Andrew Johns infact gets injured. Sinfield is definately up to the job but with an 'easy ride' for most of this season, Sinfield will need to remember his leading role at Wellington and often Player of the Year.
Where Will They Win?
Again the word Andrew Johns is on our lips. He's the man two lead the Crusade to glory and would anyone be suprised if he did? A true master of the game who has the ability to make something out of nothing and bring out the best of his players
go wollongong, show me the money. plus take out some of the gold coast players as well.
