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Match Preview: NRL Round 6 vs Dragons

Wests Tigers head to Campbelltown Sports Stadium for the first time this season on Sunday for the club’s Members Appreciation Round match against St George Illawarra Dragons.

There’s a great vibe in the South-West right now and a big crowd on Sunday could well provide a handy home ground advantage for Benji Marshall’s men.

The Tigers are coming off a bruising loss to the Dolphins last weekend in Brisbane, which followed back-to-back wins over the Sharks and the Eels.

The Dragons meantime, who enjoyed a comfortable win against Wests Tigers in the pre-season challenge in Mudgee, will arrive at Leumeah following a good win over the Sea Eagles and then a heavy loss to the Knights in Newcastle.

Alex Seyfarth with John Bateman after the Round 3 win over the Sharks
Alex Seyfarth with John Bateman after the Round 3 win over the Sharks

In team news for Wests Tigers Alex Seyfarth comes into the second row replacing John Bateman (HIA protocol), while Samuela Fainu (HIA protocol) and Latu Fainu (hamstring) are also missing. 

Local junior Justin Matamua will play his first ever NRL game in his hometown off the bench and is joined by Asu Kepaoa and Jake Simpkin.

Justin Matamua in action against the Dolphins last year
Justin Matamua in action against the Dolphins last year

For the Dragons Hame Sele returns from a calf injury at prop so Jack de Belin shifts to the bench and Michael Molo drops out. Thomas Eisenhuth has been named to start at lock with Blake Lawrie on the bench.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Charlie Staines
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Solomona Faataape
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Jack Bird
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jayden Sullivan
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Aidan Sezer
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Hame Sele
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jesse Marschke
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Justin Matamua
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jack De Belin
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Asu Kepaoa
    Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Ben Murdoch-Masila

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 21 Kit Laulilii
    Replacement for Dragons is number 20 Michael Molo

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated:

Fast Facts:

  • Wests Tigers have won only one of their past four games against the Dragons.
  • St George Illawarra have won three of their four games at Campbelltown.
  • Wests Tigers have lost their past eight games at Campbelltown.
  • Dragons hooker Jacob Liddle will make his 100th NRL appearance.
  • Tigers winger Junior Tupou scored three tries in two games against the Dragons in 2023.

Stats courtesy David Middleton

Acknowledgement of Country

Wests Tigers respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.