Game 1 : ST GEORGE DRAGONS v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
SATURDAY MARCH 15th WIN STADIUM WOLLONGONG 3pm
Dragons
1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes , 5. Christian Tuipulotu 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Toby Couchman, 9. Damien Cook 10. Emre Guler 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin , 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart , 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Changes from last match:
Out: Ryan Couchman (bench)
In: Blake Lawrie (bench), Dylan Egan (reserve), Tyrell Sloan (reserve), Lyhkan King-Togia (reserve), Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga (reserve), Michael Molo (reserve)
The Dragons were already looking pretty thin in the forwards before the season, with Francis Molo negotiating a release after a falling out with a staff member. Then Ryan Couchman suffered an ACL injury in the first game of the season. The club can’t sign David Klemmer form the Tigers until they offload a player from their top 30, which is why Mikaele Ravalawa has been linked to the Rabbitohs. Toby Couchman and Emre Guler are the starting props against Souths, while Blake Lawrie makes a timely return from a hamstring injury on the bench. The Dragons showed in the second half against the Bulldogs that they have some firepower in their backline, but they were blown apart in the middle in Round 1 and unless they can unearth some forwards or sign some, it could be a long year for Shane Flanagan’s men.
Rabbitohs
1. Jye Gray 2. Isaiah Tass 3. Fletcher Myers 4. Campbell Graham, 5. Bayleigh Bentley-Hape 6. Cody Walker 7. Jamie Humphreys 8. Sean Keppie , 9. Peter Mamouzelos 10. Davvy Moale 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow , 13. Lachlan Hubner 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Siliva Havili 16. Tallis Duncan, 17. Tevita Tatola 18. Liam Le Blanc 19. Lewis Dodd 20. Jacob Host , 21. Thomas Fletcher 22. Talanoa Penitani
Changes from last match:
Out: Jack Wighton (centre), Tyrone Munro (wing)
In: Fletcher Myers (centre), Bayleigh Bentley-Hape (wing), Liam Le Blanc (reserve), Lewis Dodd (reserve), Jacob Host (reserve), Thomas Fletcher (reserve), Talanoa Penitani (reserve)
Souths were already without winger Alex Johnston to start the season and now Tyrone Munro has suffered another collarbone injury that will sideline him for around two months, meaning Bayleigh Bentley-Hape will debut on the wing against the Dragons. Adding to their outside back depth crisis, Jack Wighton is suspended, with Fletcher Myers coming into the centres. Meanwhile, Latrell MItchell and Euan Aitken are also sidelined with injury. There could be cohesion issues against the Dragons, so Souths will likely have to win the game on effort over finesse. Souths showed plenty of ticker to get the job done in Round 1, but the Dolphins were depleted, so they will have to be on their game to beat a Dragons side smarting from their loss to the Bulldogs. Souths arguably have the Dragons covered in the forwards, but how their new look backline clicks could ultimately decide the result.
Referees, Ashley Klein, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Kieren Irons, Bunker, Kasey Badger.
Last week against the Bulldogs, the Dragons launched a fierce comeback in the final stages of the game, but their early mistakes ultimately cost them the win. Meanwhile, under Wayne Bennett’s guidance, the Rabbitohs played with unity and secured a victory over the Dolphins. Can the Dragons bounce back and claim a much-needed win here? Given the Rabbitohs’ surprisingly strong form, it won’t be easy, but the home crowd could provide the boost the Dragons need.
Lets hope no decisions have to go to the Bunker.
GAME 2 NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS v CRONULLA SHARKS
Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 5.30pm
Cowboys
1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Braidon Burns 3. Jaxon Purdue 4. Viliami Vailea, 5. Murray Taulagi, 6. Tom Dearden 7. Thomas Duffy 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson, 10. Sam McIntyre, 11. John Bateman 12. Kai O’Donnell 13. Reuben Cotter 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess 18. Jake Clifford, 19. Jeremiah Nanai 20. Thomas Mikaele 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Jason Taumalolo
Changes from last match:
In: Kai O’Donnell (second row), Jake Clifford (reserve), Thomas Mikaele (reserve), Jaxson Paulo (reserve), Jason Taumalolo (reserve)
Changes: Jeremiah Nanai (second row to reserve)
Cowboys coach Todd Payten wasted no time in taking action for his side’s poor Round 1 loss to Manly, cutting Origin forward Jeremiah Nanai. After missing four missed tackles last week, Nanai has been relegated to the Queensland Cup, with Payten citing defence as the issue. “Jeremiah is an elite attacking player but needs to improve some defensive parts of his game,” Payten said. “He’s going to get some time in the Q Cup, which was not an easy decision. But I felt it was important for the group that if we want to improve as a team, defence is first and foremost.” He has replaced Nanai with new recruit Kai O’Donnell, in what could be a bold move right out of the gates. With the pressure on for Payten following a number of inconsistent seasons under his tutelage, he certainly couldn’t rest on his laurels, but whether dropping one player is enough to make a difference is yet to be seen. Cronulla – fresh off their Round 1 trip to Vegas – will no doubt provide quite the defensive challenge for the Cowboys, as they also look to enter the winner’s circle for the first time in 2025.
Sharks
1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Kayal Iro , 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton , 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai , 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Mawene Hiroti , 20. Billy Burns 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Hohepa Puru
Changes from last match:
In: Tuku Hau Tapuha (reserve), Mawene Hiroti (reserve), Billy Burns (reserve), Jayden Berrell (reserve), Hohepa Puru (reserve)
All the talk after Round 1 has centred on the red-hot performances of the Penrith Panthers, Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm. It’s early days but the benchmark is being formed. For Cronulla, they played strongly against the Panthers in Vegas, falling just short, 28-22. But they aren’t being viewed in the same light as the reigning premiers, the Broncos, the Storm. They didn’t show enough spark or pack enough of a punch to close out that game in the US and they will need to start taking those steps forward to show how close they stand to the top this year. With an unchanged 17 this Saturday, I want to see more from the Sharkies. When I watch a side for the first time of the year, in Round 1, I don’t want to see a team that’s picked up where they’ve left off… In those really vital moments… they have to start nailing those games. With North Queensland struggling to get started last week, the Sharks have a real opportunity to make a statement this week and to send a message to the rest of the competition that they belong in the same conversation as the other top contenders for 2025.
Referees, Liam Kennedy, Touch Judges, Jarrod Cole, Tyson Brough, Bunker, Gerard Sutton.
After a disappointing performance against the Sea Eagles, the Cowboys simply cannot afford to lose this home game. Meanwhile, the Sharks put up a strong fight against the Panthers but ultimately fell short. Both teams are desperate to avoid starting the season with two straight losses, but when comparing their overall strength, the Sharks appear to have a slight edge. That said, if the Cowboys can capitalize on their home advantage, they have a solid chance of coming out on top. One key factor to watch is the Sharks’ condition, as the long trip back from Las Vegas could take a toll. For those looking for a safer bet, taking the Cowboys with a +9.5 handicap seems like a smart choice—especially with the appealing odds on offer.
Comments