Rugby League / Nick Tedeschi / 31 July 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external">Bet Now

Exciting Dragons playmaker Jamie Soward will provide the spark that will get the Dragons home in one of rugby league's most time-honoured rivalries, says Nick Tedeschi.

Jamie Soward has been a revelation this season. Cast aside by the Roosters midway through 2007, Soward has gone from strength-to-strength at the Dragons, becoming one of the most potent playmakers in the NRL.

Last week Soward was simply outstanding, almost single handedly putting the Bulldogs to the sword. He scored a brilliant length-of-the-field intercept try, assisted in two more, broke five tackles, kicked 11 times for 300-plus metres and knocked over three conversions, just for good measure.

This season he leads the NRL in kick metres by a significant amount, ranks fifth in try assists and sits in the top 25 in line-break assists. He has also scored five tries, which is equal fourth among all halves.

Soward, simply, is a threat with every facet of his attacking game. He has a quality dangerous short kicking game to go with his impressive long boot, he is a penetrating runner and his passing game has the ability to put his teammates through the line.

He will prove the difference as the only legitimate playmaker on the field in what is sure to be a bruising and low-scoring local derby.

The Sharks may sit equal second on the premiership table but their real standing is best measured by the punting fraternity, who have them rated as $20 prospects for the title. They are a team that has overachieved on the back of stoic defense and an ability to win the wrestle around the ruck. Those tactics are likely to prove less successful as the season goes on.

The most glaring statistic relating to Cronulla is their abysmal attack. They rank last in the NRL, averaging only 18.1 points per game. They are a team that is vulnerable against opponents capable of scoring points and they are a team that should be avoided at the minus.

The Dragons, while not a top level team, certainly compare well to Cronulla. They rank 12th in attack and third in defense, one position higher than the Sharks. Getting 3