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Match Preview

Dragons v Sharks: Dragons forced into late reshuffle; Byers back

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The top-of-the-table Sharks head to Wollongong to take on the Dragons in their local derby to round out Round 5.

It has been a mixed bag of results for the Dragons so far this season, toppling the defenders premiers one week, to losing by 20 points against the Roosters another. 

However, one constant has been the attacking threat posed by fullback Teagan Berry, who is topping the tackle breaks (28) and line breaks (seven) for the competition so far.

NRLW SportsBet Betting Preview - Dragons v Sharks

Cronulla have gone from strength-to-strength in season 2024 and come into this match with a hard-fought victory over Newcastle under their belts last round. 

Team news

Dragons: Tyla King and Bobbi Law were ruled out when the squad was reduced to 19 players on Saturday, despite passing HIAs last weekend. Raecene McGregor also passed a HIA after coming from the field in the dying minutes against the Roosters and will take her place at halfback with Zali Hopkins shifting from hooker to five-eighth. Kasey Reh moves from the bench to take over the dummy half duties. Second-rower Shenai Lendill will move to the centres in place of Law, with Ella Koster to start for the first time this season after returning from injury last weekend. Maria Paseka is on the wing for her NRLW debut in place of Kimberley Hunt, with Steph Hancock on the bench, moving Bronte Wilson to the reserves. Jordyn Preston and Kaarla Cowan joined the bench. There were no further changes on Sunday night, with Wilson remaining the 18th player. 

Sharks: Rhiannon Byers comes into the second row for the injured Talei Holmes this week in the only change to the side that beat the Knights last week. In good news, scans cleared Holmes of a serious neck injury after she was stretchered off in Sunday's match. New signing rugby sevens convert Dominique du Toit remains in the squad as 18th player, with prop Filomina Hanisi dropping out of the team. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
    Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Cassie Staples
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maria Paseka
    Winger for Sharks is number 2 Nakia  Davis-Welsh 
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
    Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
  • Centre for Dragons is number 11 Shenai Lendill
    Centre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Alice Gregory
    Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 9 Zali Hopkins
    Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma Tonegato
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
    Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
    Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Kasey Reh
    Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Madison Mulhall
    Prop for Sharks is number 10 Holli Wheeler
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Charlotte Basham
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Vanessa Foliaki
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 15 Ella Koster
    2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis Tauaneai
    Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jamilee Bright
    Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Sharni Smale
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Steph Hancock
    Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Chloe Saunders
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Jordyn Preston
    Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Manilita   Takapautolo
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Kaarla Cowan
    Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tegan Dymock

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 20 Bronte Wilson
    Replacement for Sharks is number 22 Dominique du Toit

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Dave Munro

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • The Dragons have lost their last three games at WIN Stadium.
  • The Sharks will play at WIN Stadium for the first time.
  • Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored seven tries in her past five games at WIN Stadium.
  •  The Sharks will be aiming for a seventh consecutive victory.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

Related

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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.