The Cairns Post

CARL comp up for grabs

Max Bennett

20Jun08

MEMO Bulls front rower Adam Connelly feels it is his side's turn to win the flag this year going into the match with reigning champions the Wests Dragons on Saturday.
Connelly believes the Bulls will break the Dragons' stranglehold on the Centrebet Central Australia Rugby League competition.

Connelly said the Bulls' 2008 squad is the best he has been involved in, pinpointing their depth as the overwhelming strength.

He said: ``I think we've got a very good chance of going all the way.

``We've got a well balanced team and I think more of the young kids have matured.

``The likes of Matt Paterson-Nicolai, Jimmy Sullivan and Clayton Watson have really come along.''

The last three CARL seasons have provided nothing but heartbreak for the Bulls, having lost the decider to the rampaging Dragons in 2005, 2006 and most recently 2007.

The burly forward believes that cracks are beginning to appear in the once rock solid veneer of the Dragons, highlighting Vikings' demolition job as evidence.

He said: ``The aura has definitely gone. Teams aren't scared to play them any more.

``I don't know if they have a better or worse team than before, but they seem more beatable.''

Of his own team, Connelly said there is no question they have the talent and personnel to win in 2008.

He said: ``We've got halves combinations coming out of our ears, Daniel Forrester is a general with NRL experience.

``Then you've got Mark Hooper and Jarrad Torres who can make magic happen.''

Battle stations are manned ahead of showdown number three between the Bulls and the Dragons this weekend, with the record at one win apiece.

This is a vital clash for the Dragons, with the dropped points from last weekend's loss seeing them slip a win behind Memo, who have a superior points tally.

Bulls players have had no trouble scoring in the past two rounds, amassing 132 points, but they will be concerned that they let in 40 points against United on the weekend.

Expect Wests to try to expose this chink in the Memo armour and use their own scoring power.

Last time they met, a 15-minute try frenzy from the Dragons was enough to see off the Bulls with seven players crossing for Wests.

The Bulls made a late charge but left it too late falling six points short.

The Dragons will again be without Andrew Herbert and Jethro Campbell for this all important clash and this may prove too big a gap to fill.