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Dragons v Titans: Young guns to debut; Jorgensen on track

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pan66.com
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Both the Dragons and the Titans will enter the 2024 season full of expectation with plenty of youth in and amongst their squad helping lift standards.

A number of Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup stars featured for the successful Under 19 State of Origin team, with many including Kasey Reh and Bronte Wilson (who has been granted an age exemption) pushing to make their NRLW debuts this season with St George Illawarra under coach Jamie Soward.

However, there is still plenty of experience in the squad that will be captained by Kiwi international star Raecene McGregor, with new signing Steph Hancock also back at the club to help pass on her many years of knowledge to the up-and-comers.

The Titans had a fantastic run to the finals last year, but fell just short on grand final day when they were outdone by the Knights.

Like the Dragons, they are a side with a lot of young talent, but with many having made their NRLW debuts last year, the core group have some key experience to build on.

Injuries however have hit the Titans hard with three young stars in Destiny Mino-Sinapati, Ivana Lolesio and Chantay Kiria-Ratu suffering to season-ending knee injuries before pre-season began.

However, Rilee Jorgensen has overcome an ankle issue that kept her from representative duty with the Queensland Under 19 and has been named to come off the by coach Karyn Murphy for the opener.

Team News

Dragons: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Steph Hancock moving into the starting side Jamilee Bright moving to the bench. Coach Jamie Soward has rewarded the good form of his youngsters and handed out a number of NRL debuts, headlined by NSW Under 19 Origin star Kasey Reh. The young halfback was voted player of the match in the 46-4 win and has been named on the bench alongside fellow young gun Bronte Wilson. Kiwi Ferns star Raecene McGregor will captain the side as halfback. Kimberley Hunt is 18th player.

Titans: The Titans are 1-17 with no late changes. Youngster Lily-Rose Kolc has been named to make her NRLW debut from the bench. The Tweed Seagulls hooker was elevated to the top 24 roster earlier this year. Forward Rilee Jorgensen and winger Emily Bass - who both recently missed out on Queensland rep games due to injury - have made their recoveries and will play. Maroons hooker Lauren Brown will line up as halfback for the opener. Georgia Grey is 18th player.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Evania Pelite
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maatuleio Fotu-Moala
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Karina Brown
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Jaime Chapman
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Bobbi Law
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Niall Williams-Guthrie 
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Margot Vella
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Emily Bass
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali Hopkins
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Lauren Brown

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Shannon Mato
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Sophie Clancy
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati 
  • Prop for Dragons is number 17 Steph Hancock
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Jessika Elliston
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Shenai Lendill
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Zara Canfield
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Charlotte Basham
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Shaylee Bent
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Georgia Hale

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 10 Jamilee Bright
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Lily-Rose Kolc
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Kasey Reh
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Rilee Jorgensen
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Sara Sautia
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Dannii Perese
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Bronte Wilson
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Laikha Clarke

Reserves

  • Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Kimberley Hunt
    Reserve for Titans is number 18 Georgia Grey

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • Titans finished third on the ladder in 2023, but won their finals match before going down in the grand final to Knights.
  • Dragons finished seventh on the ladder in season 2023. 
  • Dragons back Teagan Berry was the competition's leading try scoring in 2023 with 11 from nine games. 
  • Lauren Brown showed how well she can kick a field goal in this year's State of Origin series, carrying through from her 2023 form where she topped the tally for successful field goals with two. 
  • The Dragons have won three of their four games against the Titans.
  • The Titans have had a win and a loss at WIN Stadium.
  • Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored eight tries in four games against the Titans.

Additional 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.