Kicking Ace Has Raiders Feeling Jaded

Illawarra Mercury

Friday September 26, 2008

By TIM BARROW

CANBERRA coach Tony Adam has placed the Raiders on high alert over the unpredictable kicking game of St George Illawarra playmaker John Kennedy.

The minor premiers are wary of Kennedy's short kicks catching them out early in the tackle count in tonight's National Youth Cup preliminary final at Sydney Football Stadium.

Adam's message to the Raiders has been to expect the unexpected when the star Dragons halfback has the football in his hands.

"John Kennedy is certainly a danger. His willingness to kick early in the tackle count is something we will have to watch out for," Adam said.

"He'll certainly test our width and in behind the line; we know (the Dragons) will throw a fair bit at us."

Kennedy has taken a leading role in the finals campaign after the injury to captain Matt Mundine.

The cousin of boxer and former rugby league player Anthony Mundine, 19-year-old Matt saw his season end when he had foot surgery last week.

St George Illawarra advanced to the preliminary final with a nailbiting 23-22 victory over Parramatta.

Five-eighth Nathan Dureau kicked a field goal with 15 seconds remaining to seal the win.

In taking out the minor premiership, the Raiders have been the competition's leading attacking team, scoring 744 points in 24 rounds.

Canberra then thumped the Gold Coast 43-12 in the first week of the finals, earning a break last weekend.

Adam yesterday declared the Raiders would be willing to match the Dragons' firepower tonight.

"There is plenty of belief in our style - it's got us this far," he said.

"We've had the ability to score points all year and we'll back our style of play."

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

Back to News Index | Back to Home