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Match Preview

Dragons v Titans: Bird takes flight; Kelly in, Fotuaika out

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The Dragons are chasing an immediate response when they host the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon. 

Both sides are reeling after losses last weekend and fighting to keep their top-eight chances alive with just four rounds remaining. 

It's St George Illawarra's first match at WIN Stadium since they fell to the Panthers in front of a sold-out crowd in Round 21 and they're hoping to pack the stands again this weekend. 

The Dragons lost to the Bulldogs last Saturday to fall to ninth on the ladder and they are eager to bounce back on Sunday afternoon. 

The Titans suffered a heavy 44-0 defeat to the Sharks that threatens to derail their late charge to the finals. 

Des Hasler's side had won five of their last six to breathe life into their NRL campaign before the Cronulla game. Now, however, they sit four points outside the eight and need a win over a team sitting above them on the ladder to close the gap.

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Team News

Dragons: A number of changes for Shane Flanagan with Jack Bird back into the side for his first game since Round 19 while back-rower Toby Couchman returns from suspension and Mat Feagai comes into the centres for Moses Suli (knee). Lyhkan King-Togia has been named to make his NRL debut off the interchange after Kyle Flanagan was unsuccessful in his Tuesday night trip to the judiciary. Jack Bird moves into the starting side at five-eighth. Prop Hame Sele, who was taken to hospital with chest pains and shortness of breath during the Bulldogs game, has been replaced in the starting side by Francis Molo. An hour from kick-off, Blake Lawrie starts with Jack de Belin reverting to the interchange in the final team list. Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner is the replacement player. 

Titans: Centre Brian Kelly returns after missing the Broncos game due to illness so AJ Brimson reverts to the bench and Tony Francis drops out. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika's one-game ban brings Erin Clark into the starting side and Keenan Palasia back onto the bench after he dropped to 18th man in a late shuffle last week. Beau Fermor is out of the squad and will take time to return from bruised kidneys suffered in Round 22. An hour from kick-off, the side will be as per program with Tanah Boyd the replacement player. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana  Khan-Pereira 
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew Feagai
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 17 Jack Bird
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran Foran

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Jaimin Jolliffe
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
  • Prop for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Erin Clark
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Klese Haas
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 AJ Brimson
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Toby Couchman
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Isaac Liu
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ryan Couchman
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Josiah Pahulu
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Lyhkan King-Togia
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Keenan Palasia

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
    Replacement for Titans is number 19 Tanah Boyd

Match Officials

  • Referee: Wyatt Raymond
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Dragons have won three of their past four games against the Titans.
  • The Titans have lost five from five at WIN Stadium.
  • The Dragons have won three of their past four games at WIN Stadium.
  • Titans five-eighth Kieran Foran will play his 300th NRL game.
  • Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored nine tries in 11 games at WIN Stadium.

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.