St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs,
Kogarah Oval (5.30pm)Saturday, March 8th
Shane Flanagan’s Dragons are stepping into a new era as they embark on the “post-Hunt era.” Their first challenge comes at home against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a highly anticipated season opener.
These long-time rivals will clash in front of a packed crowd at Kogarah, setting the stage for an electrifying contest to kick off the season.
All eyes will be on Clint Gutherson as he makes his debut in the Red V, while Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo is hopeful that Sitili Tupouniua will be fit to play after recovering from a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, former Canberra Raider Emre Guler is set to make his Dragons debut in the front row.
St George Dragons.
1. Clint 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. Ryan Couchman 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Hamish Stewart 18. Dylan Egan 19. Tyrell Sloan 20. Lyhkan King-Togia 21. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 22. Tom Eisenhuth
There are still some uncertainties surrounding the Bulldogs’ bench. While Bailey Hayward and Jaeman Salmon have been named in the squad, Josh Curran’s suspension could have an impact on the team’s lineup.
The Dragons may have secured two preseason wins, but it’s worth noting that their opponents were missing key players. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs struggled to regain their match sharpness, having had limited game time with their top squad. However, they dominated both head-to-head clashes in the 2024 season, securing emphatic victories of 44-12 and 28-10.
For the Dragons, the biggest challenge will be adjusting to life without their former attacking focal points, Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax. That said, Valentine Holmes is expected to step up as a key goal-kicker, filling the void left by Lomax, who has moved to the Eels.
As for the Bulldogs, they will be determined to prove that last season’s playoff appearance was no fluke. With a stable squad, they enter the new season looking to build on their success.
Bulldogs.
1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Burton 7. Toby Sexton 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jacob Preston 13. Kurt Mann 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Harry Hayes , 17. Jaeman Salmon 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Kurtis Morrin 21. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 22. Luke Smith, 23. Ratu Rinakama
Referee. Todd Smith, Touch Judges, Dave Munro, Belinda Sharpe, Bunker, Grant Atkins
Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys,
Brookvale Oval (7.35pm) Saturday, March 8th
Now that the Vegas theatrics are out of the way, the rest of the teams start their run towards premiership glory. After making it to the second week of the finals, the Sea Eagles will be confident they can go to the grand final, especially with the nucleus of their 2024 side and a few new faces.
Daly Cherry-Evans is in his 15th season and will be hoping his partnership with Luke Brooks can go the extra mile this season. Coach Anthony Seibold has given Tom Trbojevic the number one jersey, despite whispers in the off-season of a positional change. His heir apparent, Lehi Hopoate, will start the season on the wing.
Looking at the Sea Eagles team list, hooker Lachlan Croker is out with a knee injury – he has been replaced with former Warrior Jazz Tavaga. Jake Simpkin gets the chance to prove himself as a back-up hooker from the bench. After his stint in the Super League, Siosiua Taukeiaho has been named in the front-row alongside Taniela Paseka, who was in doubt due to a shoulder injury.
Sea Eagles
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate , 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic , 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell , 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley , 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Dean Matterson, 20. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 21. Jakob Arthur 22. Josh Aloiai
Like their opponents, the Cowboys made it to the second week of the finals. A few of the ‘old guard’ have left, such as Valentine Holmes and Kyle Feldt. Their replacements, Braidon Burns and Jaxon Purdue, will be looking at making the wing and centre positions their own this season.
Former Sea Eagle Karl Lawton goes up against his old side, hoping to prove he has what it takes to be the utility for the Cowboys. New recruit John Bateman starts in the second row due to a season-ending injury to Heilum Luki. Jason Taumololo has been named in the reserves but is still recovering from a Lisfranc (foot) injury.
There are two big clashes in this match. The first is in the halves with Cherry-Evans and Brooks vs Duffy and Dearden. Duffy is the inexperienced player of the four, but having Dearden outside him will give him confidence. For his first game in the top grade, all Duffy has to do is get the team where they need to go and feed the ball to the players who call for it. The rest will take of itself. Brooks and Cherry-Evans were on a tear last season and no doubt they will want to get their team off to a good start.
The other clash is between the back row. Though they are missing Luki, having an international player the calibre of Bateman doesn’t hurt. They will have their hands full with Olakau’atu and the Trbojevic brothers. The clash between Jake and Reuben Cotter will no doubt whet out appetite for Origin, even though it is only round one.
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. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Reuben Cotter , 14. Karl Lawton 15. Harrison Edwards, 16. Griffin Neame 17. Coen Hess, 18. Kai O’Donnell 19. Jake Clifford 20. Thomas Mikaele, 21. Jaxson Paulo 22. Jason Taumalolo
Referee, Peter Gough ,Touch Judges, Kasey Badger, Drew Oultram, Bunker, Ashley Klein
Prediction
I will go with the Dogs, and Manly in game 2
Comments