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Dragons v Raiders: Same 17 for Griffin; Wighton back for Ricky

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St George Illawarra will be looking to consolidate their spot in the top eight and potentially go four competition points clear of ninth when they host the Raiders at WIN Stadium on Sunday. 

The Dragons are two points head of the Roosters on the Telstra Premiership ladder with the Tricolours taking on Penrith at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night.

Canberra got out of jail with a last-minute win over Newcastle before the representative round break and will be looking to stay within reach out the top eight after an inconsistent season. 

The Raiders have won three of their past five games in a W-L-W-L-W pattern but with only nine games left in the regular season they can ill-afford to continue the trend.

The two sides met twice in 2021 with the Raiders winning the latest clash between them 20-12 in August last year.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Dragons v Raiders

The Rundown

Team news

Dragons: The Dragons are 1-17 with no late changes. Skipper Ben Hunt is good to go despite picking up a leg injury in Origin Two. Jaiyden Hunt is the 18th Man.

Raiders: Ryan Sutton has been promoted to the starting side on game day with Adam Elliott reverting to the bench.

Jack Wighton (COVID protocols) will return to the side, with Matt Frawley in the reserves. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been named to return from a hamstring injury on the bench, replacing James Schiller who faces 2-3 weeks out with a shoulder injury suffered against the Knights.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Cody Ramsey
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Jack De Belin
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jack Bird
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tariq Sims
    Lock for Raiders is number 15 Ryan Sutton

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Moses Mbye
    Interchange for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Francis Molo
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Aaron Woods
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Charnze  Nicoll-Klokstad
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Michael Molo
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Horsburgh

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 21 Jaiyden Hunt
    Replacement for Raiders is number 20 Trey Mooney

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated:

Key match-up

Cody Ramsey v Xavier Savage: Both fresh into the NRL and learning on the run but equally as entertaining at the back. Ramsey has made the fullback spot his own in recent weeks after coach Anthony Griffin tinkered with Moses Mbye in the No.1 jersey previously. Ramsey isn't your traditional fullback but with more games played his skill level at the back is strongly developing. Savage is having a rollercoaster year and while he's not the complete product yet his ability in attack is as entertaining as anyone in the game. 

Stat Attack

Ben Hunt's influence on the side is evident with the Maroons playmaker enjoying a season that reflected his Dally M leader status after round 12. Hunt is in the top five for total kick metres with 5810 while he's also level with Nathan Cleary on 40/20 kicks with three. He continues to lead the NRL with line engagement, totalling 149 for the year. 

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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.

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