Magpies preparing for improved season ahead of Round 1

Author: Michael Algeri
Timestamp: Sat 14 Mar 2020, 04:57 PM

Western Suburbs Magpies kick off their season on Sunday with an exciting matchup against the St. George Illawarra Dragons at WIN Stadium as part of a double-header with the NRL sides.

The Magpies will be looking to get their campaign off to a good start after just missing out on finals football in 2019. With a new coach in Wayne Collins, Western Suburbs enter Sunday's clash full of confidence with a strong performance in their final trial match against the Penrith Panthers.

Coming up against strong opponents in last season’s preliminary finalists in the Dragons, Coach Collins has named a strong side with a number of NRL squad members lining up. With NRL-hardened veterans such as Chris McQueen and Matt Eisenhuth lining up alongside the likes of young gun hooker Jake Simpkin and 2019 debutant Tommy Talau, the Magpies side has a fresh new look heading into 2020.

Having not featured since picking up an injury in the NRL Nines in Perth, Paul Momirovski could also both be late inclusion for the Magpies after being named as a reserve for the 21-man NRL squad.

Meanwhile, the Dragons have named a young but strong side, with NRL talent such as Jason Saab and Jackson Ford taking the field for St. George-Illawarra. Adam Clune, Euan Aitken and Josh Kerr could all be late inclusions for the Dragons after being named as reserves for the NRL squad.

Remarkably, this matchup saw two draws recorded last season with a 22-22 result in Round 12 followed by a 24-24 final score in Round 18.

MATCH DETAILS

Date — Sunday, March 15, 2020

Time — 3:45pm AEDT

Venue — WIN Stadium, Wollongong

TEAM LISTS

Final team lists for both sides will be confirmed at 2:45pm on Sunday.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Sunday 15 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Magpies

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Treigh Stewart

Fullback for Magpies is number 1 Dylan Smith
Winger for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai

Winger for Magpies is number 2 William Kei
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Charly Runciman

Centre for Magpies is number 3 Tommy Talau
Centre for Dragons is number 20 Euan Aitken

Centre for Magpies is number 4 Matheson Johns
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jason Saab

Winger for Magpies is number 5 Kane Bradley
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Tyran Wishart

Five-Eighth for Magpies is number 6 Brendan O'Hagan
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Tristan Sailor

Halfback for Magpies is number 7 Jock Madden

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Eddie Blacker

Prop for Magpies is number 8 Matthew Eisenhuth
Hooker for Dragons is number 13 Hayden Lomax

Hooker for Magpies is number 9 Jake Simpkin
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jayden Morgan

Prop for Magpies is number 10 Oliver Clark
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luke Gale

2nd Row for Magpies is number 11 Chris McQueen
2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Matt Delbanco

2nd Row for Magpies is number 12 Alex Seyfarth
Lock for Dragons is number 15 Nathan Leatigaga

Lock for Magpies is number 13 Sam McIntyre

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 2 Jason Gillard

Interchange for Magpies is number 14 Jordin Leiu
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake BARBUTO

Interchange for Magpies is number 15 Terrell May
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Matthew Nicholson

Interchange for Magpies is number 16 Lachlan Talau
Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Luke Chalker

Interchange for Magpies is number 17 Austin Dias