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Dragons v Bulldogs: Duo to debut; Napa ruled out

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pan66.com
Timestamp

Three weeks ago the Dragons were flying high on the back of a four-game winning streak. 

Now they're on the wrong end of a three-game slide and struggling to score points. That the Wests Tigers were able to outlast them in round eight is a cause for concern.

Now they face a Bulldogs side that proved two weeks back that if you give them a sniff they're good enough to win matches in this competition.

Canterbury endured an unhappy night against the Eels last weekend, but on current form the Dragons are a step down from that standard.

The rundown

Team news

Dragons: Mathew Feagai will make his NRL debut in place of Cody Ramsey (rib) on the wing, while Junior Amone will also play his first game in the Telstra Premiership, via the bench. 

Tyrell Fuimaono comes in at centre to repace Zac Lomax (dislocated thumb). 

Ramsey and Adam Clune dropped out of the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off while Poasa Faamausili was the last man cut an hour before kick-off. Jackson Ford is 18th man.

Dragons fullback Matt Dufty has scored nine tries in his past eight games at Kogarah.

Bulldogs: Lachlan Lewis and Ofahiki Ogden were added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Matt Doorey reverting to 18th man.

Dylan Napa (shoulder) is out, with Ava Seumanufagai starting at prop. 

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is back at fullback with Nick Meaney moving to the wing in a straight swap.

Napa and Joe Stimson were omitted from the playing squad on Saturday. Tuipulotu Katoa was cut an hour before kick-off.

The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
    Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Max Feagai
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Cotric
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jack Bird
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tyrell Fuimaono
    Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Corey Allan
  • Winger for Dragons is number 20 Mathew Feagai
    Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Nick Meaney
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman
    Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Jake Averillo
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Luke Thompson
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
    Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan
    Prop for Bulldogs is number 16 Ava  Seumanufagai
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh Kerr
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Adam Elliott
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
    2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Chris Smith
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Josh McGuire
    Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Corey Waddell

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Billy Burns
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bradley Deitz
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Daniel Alvaro
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf Atoni
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Kaide Ellis
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Lachlan Lewis
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Talatau Amone
    Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves

  • Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Jackson Ford
    Reserve for Bulldogs is number 17 Matt Doorey

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ben Cummins
  • Touch Judge: Dave Munro
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated:

Key match-up

Ben Hunt v Kyle Flanagan. Hunt was looking a rejuvenated man before breaking his leg and now that he's back he needs to recapture that spark.

Flanagan is learning the hard way that if your forwards aren't matching it with the opposition the No.7 jersey can be a tough one to wear.

If the men in front of him don't match it with the Dragons pack he could be in for another long afternoon.

Stat attack

Canterbury completed their sets at 79 per cent against Parramatta but generated just two line break and averaged just 33 metres gained per set of six. Their opponents - Parramatta - averaged 15 extra metres per set.

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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.