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Match Preview

Dragons v Sharks: Hunt, Graham back to interchage bench

Author
Troy Whittaker pan66.com Reporter
Timestamp

Sunday's 6.30pm game between St George Illawarra and Cronulla at Campbelltown Stadium will now be held at 4.05pm. 

The NRL has postponed Sunday's Canterbury v Sydney Roosters game at Bankwest Stadium until Monday to ensure player safety in relation to a potential biosecurity problem.

Dragons and Sharks officials have agreed to the earlier kick-off time with the NRL and the match will now be shown on free-to-air TV on Channel Nine as well as Foxtel.

Broadcast details:

•  Nine (Sydney/Brisbane), GEM (Melbourne/Adelaide/Perth)

•  Foxtel – Fox League (nationally)

•  Sky Sport 4 (New Zealand)

•  9Now

•  Kayo Sports

•  NRL app: Live Pass or Telstra customers

•  Watch NRL: Not available in Australia, New Zealand or Pacific regions

•  Radio: ABC, Triple M Sydney/Brisbane, 2GB/4BC, NRL Nation

•   #NRLDragonsSharks

There is pressure galore on the winless Dragons after they managed just two points in their past two matches.

Aside from rescuing their season, St George Illawarra will have plenty of reason to perform given the passion involved with a local derby against Cronulla.

The Sharks broke their 2020 duck last week with victory over the Cowboys and will now look to continue their recent dominance against the Red V, who they beat twice last season.

Shane Flanagan, now a Dragons assistant coach, will help plot against the team he guided to a maiden premiership in 2016.

The Rundown

Team News

Dragons: In a major reshuffle, Ben Hunt and James Graham will both start the match on the interchange bench. Corey Norman moves to five-eighth from fullback with Matt Dufty to start at fullback. Trent Merrin will start at lock. Jackson Ford and Jason Saab were the last two players omitted from the squad.

The Dragons are aiming to avoid a 0-5 start for the first time in the history of the joint venture. Korbin Sims and the departing Issac Luke were omitted 24 hours before kick-off with Jacob Host moving onto the interchange in jersey No.18.

Sharks: In one late change, Toby Rudolf will start the match, with Jack Williams dropping back to the interchange bench. Siosifa Talakai and Jackson Ferris were the last two players dropped from the squad. Matt Moylan and Royce Hunt were the players left out 24 hours out from kick-off. William Kennedy (No.19) will start at fullback. Only five Sharks players have experienced an NRL victory at Campbelltown.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 17 Matthew Dufty
    Fullback for Sharks is number 19 William Kennedy
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jordan Pereira
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Josh Dugan
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Jesse Ramien
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Mawene Hiroti
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 1 Corey Norman
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Shaun Johnson
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Adam Clune
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chad Townsend

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Josh Kerr
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Andrew Fifita
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnes
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Aaron Woods
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tyrell Fuimaono
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Wade Graham
  • Lock for Dragons is number 14 Trent Merrin
    Lock for Sharks is number 16 Toby Rudolf

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 6 Ben Hunt
    Interchange for Sharks is number 13 Jack Williams
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 13 James Graham
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Connor Tracey
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Braden  Hamlin-Uele
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Jacob Host
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Scott Sorensen

Match Officials

  • Referee: Henry Perenara
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key Match-Up

Even after a win in which he set up three tries, Sharks playmaker Shaun Johnson attracted some criticism. That kind of scrutiny is what Dragons pivot Ben Hunt has dealt with for the past couple of seasons. Both men are elite players at their best and can have a big say on the outcome of this match.

Related

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.