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Match Preview

Dragons v Wests Tigers: Origin trio to play; Olam back on deck

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Boosted by an upset win over the Panthers that has them outside the eight on differential only, the Dragons will look to heap more pain on Wests Tigers, who are riding an eight-game losing streak.

In the absence of inspirational skipper Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax and Jaydn Su'A, the new-look Dragons side rallied from 10-0 down at half-time to pile on four second-half tries at BlueBet Stadium to chalk up their sixth win of the season.

The Tigers, meanwhile, were using their bye weekend to try and refresh and re-focus on the task of climbing out of the cellar and avoiding a third straight wooden spoon.

The loss of back-rower Isaiah Papali'i for eight weeks to an ankle injury is a massive blow for Benji Marshall's men, but they do welcome back experienced centres Justin Olam and Brent Naden from suspension.

When the two sides met at Campbelltown Stadium in Round 6 it was the Dragons prevailing 24-12, so the Red V have good reason to be confident as run out on home soil at WIN Stadium with a place in the eight beckoning.

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Team News

Dragons: Origin stars Ben Hunt, Jaydn Su'A and Zac Lomax have all come into the side on Thursday after initially being named in the extended squad. Lomax will play wing and Hunt halfback with Sione Finau, Jesse Marschke and Ryan Couchman making way. Jaydn Su'A was initially named on the interchange but has come into the starting side on Friday night, with Luciano Leilua dropping back to the bench. 

Wests Tigers: No Origin concerns with Brent Naden and Justin Olam both returning from suspension. Alex Lobb has been named on the wing and could take the goal-kicking off Api Koroisau, who is set for 80 minutes at hooker with Jake Simpkin departing the club. No changes one hour before kickoff, with Tallyn Da Silva to be 18th man.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew Feagai
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Alex Lobb
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Charlie Staines
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
  • Winger for Dragons is number 23 Zac Lomax
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Solomon Alaimalo
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 21 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jayden Sullivan

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu 
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 22 Jaydn Su'A
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Justin Matamua

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Brent Naden
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake Lawrie
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Reuben Porter

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 17 Ryan Couchman
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tallyn Da Silva

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Touch Judge: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Dragons have won four of their past five games against Wests Tigers.
  • Wests Tigers have lost five from six away from home in 2024.
  • Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored seven tries in his last six games at WIN Stadium.
  • Wests Tigers have won four of their seven games at WIN Stadium.
  • The Dragons have won both matches at WIN Stadium in 2024.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,  

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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.