After winning just five games all season in 2023 the Red V continue to rise under the guidance of Shane Flanagan with seven victories already on the board this year.
The Dragons' latest win was a Round 14 rout of Wests Tigers which featured a club record 32 points for Zac Lomax, who backed up from his Origin debut 48 hours earlier to post three tries and 10 goals in the 56-14 victory.
It marked the first time since Round 13, 2021 against Brisbane that the Dragons had racked up 50 points in a game and has them positioned ninth on the ladder, outside the eight on points differential only.
The Sea Eagles were also in a mood to score tries in Round 14, coming up with five against the Panthers, but a poor afternoon off the tee for Reuben Garrick meant only one of those was converted in a 10-point loss.
Of the 35 meetings between these sides since the Dragons entered the competition on 1998, the Red V have won 23, including a 20-12 triumph at WIN Stadium earlier this season.
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Team News
Sea Eagles: A late change sees Jake Simpkin named to make his club debut at hooker after signing with the club last week with Karl Lawton reverting to the bench. A shuffle in the forwards also sees Toafofoa Sipley starting at prop with Nathan Brown shifting to the bench. Damaging second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu is named to start despite suffering a calf injury last week which restricted him to just 24 minutes. Ethan Bullemor the new face on the bench with Josh Aloiai suspended. Aaron Schoupp is 18th man.
Dragons: No changes to the 17 players who destroyed the Wests Tigers in Round 14. Luciano Leilua is named to start in the second row but could drop back to the bench prior to kick-off, as was the case last week. Christian Tuipulotu is 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won five of their past six against the Dragons at 4 Pines Park.
- The Dragons have won eight of their past 11 games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles winger Tommy Talau has scored nine tries in his past six games.
- The Dragons have scored 78 points in their past two games.
- Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick requires 12 points for 400 points at 4 Pines Park.
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,