2:00pm SUNDAY AUGUST 18th 2024 WIN STADIUM WOLLONGONG NSW
Dragons and Titans Battle for Crucial Premiership Points in Wollongong
The St George Illawarra Dragons and Gold Coast Titans will battle for two crucial premiership points in a must-win clash, as both teams fight to keep their finals hopes alive.
Dragons Look to Rebound with Key Players Missing After Controversial Loss
After slipping out of the top eight following a controversy-filled performance last Saturday, the St George Illawarra Dragons will be hoping to bounce back from their inconsistent form with a win, despite the absence of several key players.
Going down 28-10 to the Bulldogs in a highly anticipated showdown at Kogarah last week, coach Shane Flanagan will be without Moses Suli (knee) and Hame Sele (chest pains) for the remainder of the regular season, while Kyle Flanagan will miss the next four matches after being found guilty of dangerous contact at the judiciary.
Mathew Feagai, Toby Couchman and Jack Bird have been recalled to the side with Bird or uncapped teenager Lyhkan King-Togia the most likely candidates to come into the halves.
Jadyn Su’A will make his 50th appearance for the club in the second-row.
The Dragons have secured three wins from four matches in Wollongong this season, but their most recent outing at the venue three weeks ago ended in a humbling defeat by Penrith.
Titans’ Late Push for Finals in Jeopardy After Crushing Defeat
Needing to win all their remaining games and have other results fall favourably to qualify for the finals, the Gold Coast Titans will be determined to atone for last week’s deplorable showing at home.
The Dragons are seeking a swift rebound when they host the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides are reeling after losses last weekend and fighting to keep their top-eight chances alive with just four rounds remaining.
It’s St George Illawarra’s first match at WIN Stadium since their Round 21 loss to the Panthers in front of a sold-out crowd, and they’re aiming to fill the stands once again this weekend.
The Dragons lost to the Bulldogs last Saturday to fall to ninth on the ladder and they are eager to bounce back on Sunday afternoon.
Dragons
1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Mathew Feagai 4. Max Feagai 5. Christian Tuipulotu , 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Jack de Belin , 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Toby Couchman, 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Jack Bird 18. Raymond Faitala-Mariner , 19. Lyhkan King-Togia 20. Mikaele Ravalawa 21. Michael Molo 22. Connor Muhleisen
The Titans endured a crushing 44-0 loss to the Sharks, putting their late push for the finals in jeopardy.
Des Hasler’s side had won five of their last six to breathe life into their NRL campaign before the Cronulla game. Now, however, they find themselves four points outside the top eight and must secure a win against a higher-ranked team to narrow the gap.
Titans
1. Keano Kini 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Phillip Sami 5. Jojo Fifita, 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Kieran Foran 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Sam Verrills 10. Erin Clark , 11. David Fifita 12. Klese Haas 13. Chris Randall 14. AJ Brimson 15. Isaac Liu, 16. Josiah Pahulu 17. Keenan Palasia 18. Beau Fermor 19. Tanah Boyd 20. Joe Stimson, 21. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 22. Tony Francis
Referee. Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Kieren Irons, Bunker, Grant Atkins.
Dragons vs Titans: Key Stats and Match Prediction
The Dragons have won three of their last four encounters against the Titans.
The Titans have lost all five of their previous matches at WIN Stadium.
The Dragons have secured victory in three of their last four games at WIN Stadium.
Titans five-eighth Kieran Foran is set to play his 300th NRL game.
Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored nine tries in 11 appearances at WIN Stadium.
Prediction.
Despite the fallout of last week’s loss and forced change in the halves, the Dragons are expected to get the job done on Sunday afternoon.
The Dragons will need to be wary of the attacking threat posed by the Titans, but should have too much to play for to let this one slip.
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