In a swift move, the Wests Tigers’ star players have increased the pressure on a St George Illawarra team eager to shed the “chokers” label ahead of Saturday night’s highly-anticipated NRL preliminary final.
Tickets have been selling even more quickly than those for last year’s Canterbury-Parramatta game, which attracted close to 75,000 spectators, as Benji Marshall and Lote Tuqiri launched their pre-game psychological offensive against the Dragons.
“They’re a tough side, and I guess all the expectations will be on them to defeat us, so all the pressure rests on them,” Marshall commented to reporters on Monday.
“I enjoy it; being the underdog has its perks. It’s nice to fly under the radar and just proceed quietly.”
However, the Tigers were making their presence felt as dual international Tuqiri brought his extensive pre-finals experience into play amid the significant lead-up.
“The burden is on them to keep delivering,” he remarked.
“It’s not that we have nothing to lose; we finished third, they finished first, and thus they are the ones expected to perform strongly and uphold their defensive record.
“Hopefully, with our fans and a good turnout at ANZ, we can also apply some pressure on them.”
A computer issue on Monday might have inadvertently increased ticket sales to 15,000 after non-members were mistakenly granted online access to seats reserved for club members.
Sales were momentarily halted while the matter was resolved, and tickets will be available to the public starting Tuesday.
Only 12,500 tickets had been sold on the same day for the Bulldogs-Eels clash last year.
Dean Young, the Dragons lock, brushed off the notion that his team would feel the strain following their unsuccessful preliminary finals in 2005—against the Tigers—and 2006, along with their exit from last year’s playoffs after topping the minor premiership.
“I wouldn’t categorize it as extra pressure. It’s pressure every week; playing in the red V brings its own set of expectations, and now every one of us is under the same degree of pressure since four teams remain,” he said.
“Once you lose, you’re out, and if you win, you’re in the big one, so the pressure remains consistent for the last four teams.”
The Tigers were also working to instill some doubt in the minds of the Dragons regarding whether a week off is beneficial.
“Who knows what the week off might have done for them?” Marshall reflected.
“They’ll be fresh and ready, but we’ll see during the first 20 minutes.
“Losing match fitness for a week alters the dynamics when you return to play that opening period.”
Marshall is in exceptional form but expressed relief at being injury-free and competing in finals once more.
“I don’t feel any particular expectation or pressure,” he said.
“I plan to play my game and trust that everything will unfold accordingly.”
And that very aspect has the Dragons concerned.
“Clearly, everyone has witnessed what Benji is capable of, but defending against it isn’t as straightforward,” stated Dragons winger Jason Nightingale.
“You cannot predict exactly how he will execute; he adheres to the game plan but sometimes it diverges, causing chaos.
“So we must remain alert; there’s really no reliable way to prepare for the unpredictability that Benji Marshall brings.”
Buford Balony says: There’s no doubt about it, the Dragons will falter & the Tigers will conquer the Grand Final.
