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Match Preview

Dragons v Wests Tigers: Hunt returns; Reynolds back to bench

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pan66.com
Timestamp

Being outside the top eight with two rounds to go is not ideal but last week's big win gave Wests Tigers renewed hope of playing finals.

After walloping Newcastle 46-4 in round 23, the Tigers meet a St George Illawarra side whose disappointing season is almost at a close.

The Dragons copped a 34-12 loss to the Roosters last start but will be determined to show their frustrated supporters there's reason to be optimistic about the future by finishing the year strongly.

The Tigers are still battling an injury pile-up but will be hopeful of getting the job done under-strength at the SCG to keep their campaign alive another week.

The Rundown

Team news

Dragons: Ben Hunt (concussion ) comes into the side as a late inclusion for Corey Norman (groin strain) who drops out of the match-day 17. Jacob Host is the other omission. Patrick Kaufusi has recovered from a head knock to displace Host in the 17. Tristan Sailor remains at fullback. The Dragons have won three of their past four games against the Tigers. Jeremy Latimore and Mikaele Ravalawa were the two players to drop out on Saturday.

Wests Tigers: Ryan Matterson has replaced Josh Reynolds at hooker with the listed No.9 dropping to the bench and Matt Eisenhuth starting at lock. When the same switch was made last week Benji Marshall started at dummy half with Matterson lining up at five-eighth. Tommy Talau and Chris McQueen are the Tigers' final cuts. Wests Tigers have only won one of their past five games at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Sam McIntyre was the play to drop out 24 hours out from kick-off.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tristan Sailor
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Corey Thompson
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Robert Jennings
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Paul Momirovski 
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tim Lafai
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jonus Pearson
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 David Nofoaluma
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Gareth Widdop
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 21 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 James Graham
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Thomas Mikaele
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnes
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 13 Ryan Matterson
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Oliver Clark
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jackson Ford
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Luciano Leilua
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Chris Lawrence
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tyson Frizell
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 14 Matthew Eisenhuth

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Korbin Sims
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 9 Josh Reynolds
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Elijah Taylor
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Patrick Kaufusi
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Josh Kerr
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam

Match Officials

  • Referee: Matt Cecchin
  • Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Luke Brooks hasn't reached the heights he did last year in winning the Dally M Halfback of the Year award but his brilliance has been evident in patches. Meanwhile, Dragons No.7 Ben Hunt is back after a week off with concussion and looms as the Red V's key man.

For the Dragons to win

The Dragons look most likely when they're prepared to get dirty and scrap. Don't count Paul McGregor's men out if they curb the basic errors that have plagued them recently and show a willingness to stay in an arm-wrestle.

For the Tigers to win

A fast start is integral. Bagging a couple of early tries should extinguish any enthusiasm the Dragons begin with. Conversely, St George Illawarra will grow in confidence the longer the scores remain tight.

Brett Kimmorley says

If the Wests Tigers can find the aggression, skill and physicality that Benji Marshall helped provide last week they will cause more havoc and make this finals race go into Round 25. I can’t see the Dragons putting up much of a fight. Cameron McInnes has been unbelievable this season as a leader, and a runner from dummy half and a tackler, but unfortunately, I think he is doing so much on his own. Wests Tigers by 8

Stat Attack

Cameron McInnes has been enormous for the Dragons in a tough year. Proving his influence, the hooker has made the most tackles in the NRL (1,087) and had a whopping 2,395 receipts of the ball - second only to Melbourne's Cameron Smith.

And another thing ...

St George Illawarra boast six wins from their past nine matches against the Tigers.

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.