Dragons v Wests Tigers: Round 1 preview

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Dragons v Wests Tigers: Round 1 preview
Troy Whittaker - NRL.com Reporter
Sat 7 Mar 2020, 06:01 PM

Both the Dragons and Wests Tigers have a point to prove in 2020 after failing to make the finals last year.

St George Illawarra's 15th-place finish was the worst since the joint venture was formed in 1999, while the Tigers fell just short in coming ninth.

The teams met only once in 2019, the Tigers recording a resounding 42-14 victory in round 24 at the SCG.

The Rundown
Team news
Dragons: Josh Kerr (knee) and Matt Dufty (cheekbone) are remote chances although Dufty was unlikely to be picked anyway with Zac Lomax locked in at fullback. Captain Cameron McInnes (knee) and Korbin Sims (arm) are unavailable.

Wests Tigers: Co-captain Moses Mbye will miss the clash due to a knee injury. Paul Momirovski suffered an ankle injury at the Nines but is expected to be fit. Russell Packer (foot) is out indefinitely, while Jacob Liddle won't return until mid-season as he recovers from a knee injury.

Key match-up
Tyson Frizell v Luke Garner. The Dragons' Test and Origin star is the gold standard for back-rowers while Garner is on the rise and will need to step up this season following Ryan Matterson’s departure to Parramatta.

For the Dragons to win
The influence of former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan on St George Illawarra's defence has been heralded and some new-found starch could get the Dragons over the line. Halfback Ben Hunt will have to go to another level in attack following the departure of Gareth Widdop, whose absence was felt when injured in 2019.

For the Tigers to win
As much as the Dragons may have improved over the off-season, constant attacking pressure from the Tigers and cracks could begin to reemerge. A strong start to take the wind out of St George Illawarra's sails is key.

Stat Attack
The Dragons conceded the second most points last season at 23.9 per game. The Tigers, meanwhile, allowed 20.25.

And another thing ...
New Tiger Luciano Leilua made his NRL debut in 2016 with the Dragons and played 44 games for the Red V. He played the bulk of those matches off the bench but scored tries in each of his first three appearances in the starting side – the third coming against the Tigers in round 23, 2018.

 

[JC99]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

 

[gallagher]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

That comment has never come back to bite us on the arse.😂

 

[ElleryHanley]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

It is at the Gong, their best home ground...they have an entirely new coaching team (Mary is just a figurehead / Flanagan runs it now)...and about 4 or 5 Origin / Test forwards.

So, let them be favorites.

We play best when we are not anyway.

Biggest danger IMO is their big Fijian winger.


Wing is our weakest / smallest spot and he is a beast on his day. Could easily get a couple of tries off kicks.

I am hoping Madge has plans in place for him and their most likely attacking move...high kicks for the corner.

 

[hobbo1]

We could win 3 in a row and still not be favourites..

 

[Cairnstigers]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

But you picked Newcastle

 

[fair dinkum]

If we are favourites, its a guaranteed loss for us. Prefer to be long odds every match for the rest of time.

 

[JC99]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

That comment has never come back to bite us on the arse.?

No jinx ?

 

[JC99]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

It is at the Gong, their best home ground...they have an entirely new coaching team (Mary is just a figurehead / Flanagan runs it now)...and about 4 or 5 Origin / Test forwards.

So, let them be favorites.

We play best when we are not anyway.

Biggest danger IMO is their big Fijian winger.


Wing is our weakest / smallest spot and he is a beast on his day. Could easily get a couple of tries off kicks.

I am hoping Madge has plans in place for him and their most likely attacking move...high kicks for the corner.

Their big Fijian winger has feet for hands bloke struggles to catch the ball. Target him all night with our kicks and Lomax struggled with his hands in the trial too, Benji will have a field day with his bombs

 

[JC99]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

But you picked Newcastle

Only because I don’t see them doing great this year but I think they’ll beat a poor warriors team who are missing some of their best players

 

[TheDaBoss]

*knocks on wood*

 

[fibrodreaming]

Halfback Ben Hunt will have to go to another level in attack following the departure of Gareth Widdop, whose absence was felt when injured in 2019.

They will certainly miss Widdop. He destroyed us more than once with his ball playing.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Brooks to fire behind a pack that can hold its own this game is winnable guys from a punting perspective $2 is great odds

 

[rustycage]

I so hope this isn't gonna be another case of high hopes being decimated in the first half of a game. What a downer that would be. Carn you boys! Would love to be there.

 

[TheDaBoss]

people r predicting we win by 4........

that is way to close and to much stress for my liking
25-18 seems like a good scoreline

 

[CarltonDry]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

It is at the Gong, their best home ground...they have an entirely new coaching team (Mary is just a figurehead / Flanagan runs it now)...and about 4 or 5 Origin / Test forwards.

So, let them be favorites.

We play best when we are not anyway.

Biggest danger IMO is their big Fijian winger.


Wing is our weakest / smallest spot and he is a beast on his day. Could easily get a couple of tries off kicks.

I am hoping Madge has plans in place for him and their most likely attacking move...high kicks for the corner.

Their big Fijian winger has feet for hands bloke struggles to catch the ball. Target him all night with our kicks and Lomax struggled with his hands in the trial too, Benji will have a field day with his bombs

? ??

 

[TheDaBoss]

Pretty ridiculous we’re the underdogs for the game. Easy money.

It is at the Gong, their best home ground...they have an entirely new coaching team (Mary is just a figurehead / Flanagan runs it now)...and about 4 or 5 Origin / Test forwards.

So, let them be favorites.

We play best when we are not anyway.

Biggest danger IMO is their big Fijian winger.


Wing is our weakest / smallest spot and he is a beast on his day. Could easily get a couple of tries off kicks.

I am hoping Madge has plans in place for him and their most likely attacking move...high kicks for the corner.

Their big Fijian winger has feet for hands bloke struggles to catch the ball. Target him all night with our kicks and Lomax struggled with his hands in the trial too, Benji will have a field day with his bombs

? ??

hopefully lomax doesnt cop another bad headknock like he did last time we versed.....

 

[hammertime]

dont underestimate the impact Flanagan will have. They've got decent troops, it's the coaching that has let them down in recent years.

 

[jadtiger]

dont underestimate the impact Flanagan will have. They've got decent troops, it's the coaching that has let them down in recent years.

I am sure he will be needling them in the dressing sheds to have a big game

 

[GNR4LIFE]

We haven’t lost a round 1 game since 2014