BetEasy Match Preview: Round 23

Author: Dan Talintyre
Timestamp: Wed 15 Aug 2018, 02:54 PM

Wests Tigers' late charge towards September footy is certainly gathering plenty of momentum after a thrilling last-start win over the Canberra Raiders in Round 22.

The fourth victory for Wests Tigers in their past five games sees them close the gap further on the eighth-placed Brisbane Broncos, but a win for Wayne Bennett's side on Thursday night against the South Sydney Rabbitohs ensured that the pressure remained firmly on Wests Tigers to win and keep their season alive.

With a good run of form on their side and upcoming home matches at the club's two suburban grounds, Ivan Cleary's side will be certainly aware of the opportunity that sits in front of them to potentially sneak in to the top eight and secure semi-finals football for the joint-venture for the first time since 2011.

To do that, they'll need to keep winning, however, and Saturday's game against the St. George-Illawarra Dragons presents an intriguing task given the decline in form from the Red V in recent weeks.

Since the Origin period, the Dragons have won just one game (against the struggling Cowboys) and are coming off the back of a 40-4 drubbing at the hands of the wooden spoon favourites in Parramatta. Without key players in Gareth Widdop and Paul Vaughan for the next few weeks, it's certainly a tough ask for Paul McGregor's side to find their confidence once again but there's still more than enough representative talent within the squad for them to be a formidable force — not only this weekend but also in the finals series.

Mbye try named top play from Round 22

While the Red V might be without two of their biggest names for Saturday's game, Wests Tigers will welcome back two of their own with Chris Lawrence (hand/hamstring) and Mahe Fonua (arm) returning.

Their inclusion will offer an extra attacking element to a side that hasn't scored a plethora of points this year, while further solidifying a defensive unit that continues to show remarkable resilience under pressure.

With Brisbane already recording a victory on Thursday night, Wests Tigers know exactly what their clash against the Dragons holds — anything other than a victory will essentially end their finals chances.

As a result, it's shaping as one of the biggest games we've seen at Leichhardt Oval in recent years and certainly not one to be missed, with a sellout crowd expected to roll through the gates this weekend.

Wests Tigers have already beaten the Dragons once this season, and will head in to the game as favourites following the contrasting form lines between the two sides in recent weeks. How they go handling that tag, and the expectations on them to continue their late surge to September, will no doubt be key on Saturday.

NRL.com preview Dragons clash

MATCH DETAILS

Date — Saturday, August 18, 2018

Time — 5:30pm AEST

Venue — Leichhardt Oval (Lilyfield, NSW)

TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION

TV — Live via FOX League (Ch.502)

Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, AM 2GB 873

Live Stream — Foxtel Go, NRL Digital Pass, Watch NRL Streaming (exc. Australia)

LATEST BETEASY ODDS

H2H — Wests Tigers ($1.74), St. George-Illawarra Dragons ($2.10)

Line — Wests Tigers -2 ($1.92), St. George-Illawarra Dragons +2 ($1.92)

Odds correct on Wednesday, August 15 at 3:00pm — 18+ only and gamble responsibly

TEAM LISTS

Round 23 - Round 23 - Saturday 18 Aug

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Moses Mbye

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Nene Macdonald
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Esan Marsters

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Mahe Fonua

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tim Lafai
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Kevin Naiqama

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jordan Pereira
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kurt Mann
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Russell Packer

Prop for Dragons is number 8 James Graham
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Robbie Farah

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnes
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Ben Matulino

Prop for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Michael Chee Kam

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 17 Matthew Eisenhuth

2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah Taylor

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 11 Chris Lawrence

Interchange for Dragons is number 10 Leeson Ah Mau
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Sauaso Sue

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jeremy Latimore
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Luke Garner

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake Lawrie
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Jai Field

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Referee: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Video Referee: Luke Patten
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:27:43 PM

Mahe Fonua and Chris Lawrence are both confirmed to return from injury, with Luke Garner dropping back to the bench. Jacob Liddle and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak have been retained as reserves.

For the Dragons, Gareth Widdop's (shoulder) omission sees Kurt Mann move to five-eighth, while Jacob Host joins the bench. Talented youngsters Jai Field and Zac Lomax have been named as reserves.