Neds Match Preview: Round 24
The equation is simple for Wests Tigers this Sunday as they head to the Sydney Cricket Ground to face the Dragons.
Just keep winning.
Michael Maguire's side kept their finals hopes alive last week with a comprehensive 46-4 win over the Newcastle Knights at Campbelltown — a result that will certainly have given the hosts plenty of confidence that they can reach the top eight.
Wests Tigers head in to the penultimate round of the season now just one point outside the top eight, and could finish the week in the top half of the ladder depending on other results going their way over the weekend.
Regardless of other results, the focus for Wests Tigers is on getting the two points this weekend and they'll again need to be at their best against a Dragons side desperate to end a tough run of form and close out 2019 on a high.
Paul McGregor's side head in to this week's clash after another disappointing defeat to the Sydney Roosters — leaving them with one win from their past five games, which came at home to the last-placed Titans back in Round 21.
The Dragons boast a number of representative players in their side but simply haven't been able to make it click this season, with their defence ranking as the third worst of any side in the competition to leave them in 15th position.
NRL.com preview Dragons clash
Tristan Sailor's inclusion last week at the back added some spark for the Red V — who won the second half against the Tricolours after a slow start to the game — and his inclusion in the number one jersey this week will give Dragons fans plenty of hope that their side can get the job done in their final home game of the year.
Ben Hunt's pending return also looks likely to boost the home side, while Wests Tigers are unchanged from their big victory over the Knights at Campbelltown.
The two sides have not met at the Sydney Cricket Ground since 2013 in what was a memorable first-grade debut for reigning Halfback of the Year Luke Brooks, but the Dragons have won three of the last four meetings between the two sides.
MATCH DETAILS
Date — Sunday, September 1, 2019
Time — 4:05pm AEST
Venue — Sydney Cricket Ground
TV, RADIO AND LIVE STREAM INFORMATION
TV — Live via Channel 9 and FOX League (Ch.502)
Radio — AM 702 ABC Grandstand, FM 104.9 Triple M and NRL Nation
Live Stream — Foxtel Go, KAYO, NRL Digital Pass, 9NOW and Watch NRL (int.)
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Dragons — Tristan Sailor retains his fullback spot, but there might be a late change with Ben Hunt (concussion) expected to come in to the side. Josh Kerr is confirmed to come off the bench in place of retiring veteran Jeremy Latimore.
Wests Tigers — No changes from the Round 23 squad with Josh Reynolds named in the number nine jersey despite coming off the bench in his return last week.
Match: Dragons v Wests Tigers
Round 24 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tristan SailorFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Corey Thompson
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac LomaxWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Robert Jennings
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Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan AitkenCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Paul Momirovski
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Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tim LafaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Esan Marsters
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jonus PearsonWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 David Nofoaluma
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Gareth WiddopFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji Marshall
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Halfback for Dragons is number 21 Ben HuntHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
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Prop for Dragons is number 8 James GrahamProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Thomas Mikaele
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Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnesHooker for Wests Tigers is number 13 Ryan Matterson
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul VaughanProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Oliver Clark
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner
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2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Chris Lawrence
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Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tyson FrizellLock for Wests Tigers is number 14 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Korbin SimsInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 9 Josh Reynolds
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake LawrieInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Elijah Taylor
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Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Patrick KaufusiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
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Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Josh KerrInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Michael Chee Kam
Match Officials
- Referee: Matt Cecchin
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy
Last updated:
LATEST NEDS ODDS
H2H — St. George-Illawarra ($2.05), Wests Tigers ($1.77)
Line — St. George-Illawarra +1.5 ($1.95), Wests Tigers -1.5 ($1.85)
Odds correct on Thursday, August 29 — 18+ only and gamble responsibly
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Overall — Played 36, St. George-Illawarra 20, Wests Tigers 16
At Sydney Cricket Ground — Played 2, St. George-Illawarra 1, Wests Tigers 1
Last Time They Met — St. George-Illawarra 20 def. Wests Tigers 12 (Rd.23, 2018)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Match Referees — Matt Cecchin and Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Touch Judges — Rickey MacFarlane and Mark Bohan
Review Officials — Steve Chiddy and Brian Norrie
Match: Dragons v Wests Tigers
Round 24 -
home Team
Dragons
15th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
9th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
