Magpies hunting for back-to-back wins against Dragons

Author: Caitlyn Grant
Timestamp: Fri 31 May 2019, 02:09 PM

Western Suburbs Magpies will be looking to leverage upon their last-start success against the Rabbitohs as they take on the St. George-Illawarra Dragons this Sunday for their Round 12 Canterbury Cup clash at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium (Kogarah).

After a dominant 30-18 win over South Sydney Rabbitohs last weekend, Western Suburbs consolidated their spot inside the top eight once again and will now look to move past the fourth-placed Dragons with a win this Sunday.

With a host of regular players unavailable due to injuries and first-grade commitments, the Dragons were undone last week by Newtown in a high-scoring affair and will no doubt be keen to return to the winners circle as a result.

Both sides head in to the game with five wins from their 10 matches but the Dragons have been strong at home, with three wins from their four fixtures this year.

After last week's good win, Magpies Coach Brett Hodgson has named a near identical side for this week's game with NRL squad members Mahe Fonua, Tyson Gamble, Oliver Clark, Sam McIntyre, Robbie Rochow and Elijah Taylor all included.

Bilal Maarbani will start in the centres after a strong performance off the bench last week, while McIntyre shfits in to the back row with Luke Garner not named.

2019 Match Highlights: Canterbury Cup Round 11

2019 Development Players Kane Bradley and Alex Seyfarth have been included, while Kane McQuiggin, Jack Miller, Dylan Clifford and Elia Faatui have been named on an extended bench after featuring the Magpies' Ron Massey side last week.

For the Dragons, Coach Mat Head will welcome the NRL bye weekend with a handful of players returning to the squad being called up to the first-grade side.

Charly Runciman and Mikaele Ravalawa make way for Pio Sokobalavu and Reece Robson — the latter of whom faces off against his brother Braden this week having featured strongly for the Dragons' first-grade side in Round 11.

Robson's return to hooker sees former Wests Tigers Holden Cup player Eli Levido shift to to the bench, while Tristan Sailor slots in on the bench.

Kickoff for the match is at 1:10pm AEST with live coverage via Channel 9 (9GEM).

For all live scores and updates from Sunday's game, visit the Match Centre here.

Round 12 - Round 12 - Sunday 2 Jun

Full Time

Dragons

Magpies

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty

Fullback for Magpies is number 1 Watson Heleta
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jason Saab

Winger for Magpies is number 2 Harrison O'Toole
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Lachlan Maranta

Centre for Magpies is number 4 Mahe Fonua
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Steven Marsters

Centre for Magpies is number 24 Kane McQuiggin
Winger for Dragons is number 18 Jason Gillard

Winger for Magpies is number 5 Kane Bradley
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 5 Tristan Sailor

Five-Eighth for Magpies is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Dragons is number 6 Adam Clune

Halfback for Magpies is number 7 Kauri Aupouri-Puketapu

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Lachlan Timm

Prop for Magpies is number 8 Joseph Ratuvakacereivalu
Hooker for Dragons is number 13 Joe Lovodua

Hooker for Magpies is number 9 Braden Robson
Prop for Dragons is number 15 Pio Sokobalavu

Prop for Magpies is number 10 Oliver Clark
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh Kerr

2nd Row for Magpies is number 11 Sam McIntyre
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jackson Ford

2nd Row for Magpies is number 20 Jack Miller
Lock for Dragons is number 19 Charly Runciman

Lock for Magpies is number 12 Robbie Rochow

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Eli Levido

Interchange for Magpies is number 3 Bilal Maarbani
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jayden Morgan

Interchange for Magpies is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Eddie Blacker

Interchange for Magpies is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
Interchange for Dragons is number 22 Tristan Alvarado

Interchange for Magpies is number 21 Patrice Siolo