2:00pm SUNDAY, JULY 28th, 2024 WIN STADIUM, SYDNEY
DRAGONS FACE TOUGH TEST AGAINST DEFENDING CHAMPIONS PENRITH AT WIN STADIUM
The vastly improved Dragons will face their toughest test of 2024 when they host defending champions Penrith at WIN Stadium.
St George is set for an incredibly challenging two weeks as they aim to return to the finals for the first time since 2018, with a match against the Storm following this clash with the defending premiers. The Dragons are much improved in 2024, sitting just outside the top eight on points difference, but the next fortnight will determine if they can make any noise come finals.
DRAGONS’ PERFECT HOME RECORD VS. PANTHERS’ LONG-AWAITED WIN STADIUM VICTORY
Also working in the Dragons’ favour is a perfect record at WIN Stadium this year, while the Panthers have not won at the venue since 2014. However, this is the time of year when Penrith typically reaches their peak.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will be proud of what his team has accomplished so far, but he knows that to be taken seriously, they must rise to the challenge against the Panthers. Penrith welcomed their star player Nathan Cleary back on Sunday in a thrilling win over the Dolphins.
Barely missing a beat after seven games out with a hamstring injury, Nathan Cleary nailed a long-range field goal in golden point to secure a 28-26 victory for his team. With co-captain Isaah Yeo set to return from a rest this weekend, the Panthers are looking formidable once again.
TEAM NEWS: PANTHERS WELCOME BACK CLEARY AND ORIGIN STARS
Origin trio Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, and Brian To’o return after being rested in Round 20, but fullback Dylan Edwards remains sidelined with a knee injury. Liam Henry moves back to the bench, and Luron Patea is omitted. Matt Eisenhuth drops to 18th man, and Brad Schneider is shifted to the reserves.
The Dragons need look no further than Round 13 this year for inspiration, when they defeated the Panthers 22-10 at BlueBet Stadium, although the premiers were missing their squad of Origin stars.
Dragons
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu , 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin, 11. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth, 14. Hame Sele 15. Luciano Leilua , 16. Toby Couchman 17. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 18. Mathew Feagai 19. Blake Lawrie 20. Jack Bird , 21. Fa’amanu Brown 22. Mikaele Ravalawa
Panthers
1. Daine Laurie 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Scott Sorensen, 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo , 14. Trent Toelau 15. Lindsay Smith 16. Liam Henry , 17. Mavrik Geyer, 18. Matt Eisenhuth 19. Jack Cole 20. Brad Schneider 21. Isaiah Iongi , 23. Luke Sommerton
Referee. Gerard Sutton, Touch Judges, Belinda Sharpe, Jon Stone, Bunker. Kasey Badger
KEY STATS: DRAGONS’ IMPRESSIVE FORM AND PANTHERS’ STRUGGLES AT WIN STADIUM
Looking at the officials ,I watched both games on Friday night and the referee’s and touch judges are getting worse. They have no idea of what is happening with sin binning mistakes, missed blatant forward passes,10 metre penalties. Man what a sham.
I would give all officials on Friday night, a four out of ten. Very poor. Don’t expect any better from the bunker in this game. The official is a full blown idiot.
Maybe we need some new referee’s? Well I just watched the NRLW game between the Cowboys and the Sharks, and this referee is an idiot as well.
The Dragons have won all three of their games at WIN Stadium in 2024.
The Panthers have won six of their past seven games against the Dragons.
Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has scored five tries in his past three games.
The Panthers have not won at Wollongong since 2014.
Dragons winger Mikaele Ravalawa has scored 10 tries in his past 10 games at WIN Stadium.
Prediction.
The Dragons had the bye last weekend after upsetting the Broncos the week before. The Panthers rested a host of Origin stars, but welcomed back Nathan Cleary who was instrumental in their victory over the Dolphins. The Dragons need this to stay in the race for the Top 8, while the Panthers till have their eyes on the minor premiership. Panthers for me.
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