NRL 2021: St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, round 9 preview

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 9 May 2021, 03:06 PM

Three weeks ago the Dragons were flying high on the back of a four-game winning streak.

Now they're on the wrong end of a three-game slide and struggling to score points. That the Wests Tigers were able to outlast them in round eight is a cause for concern.

Now they face a Bulldogs side that proved two weeks back that if you give them a sniff they're good enough to win matches in this competition.

Canterbury endured an unhappy night against the Eels last weekend, but on current form the Dragons are a step down from that standard.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Sunday 9 May

Full Time

Dragons

Bulldogs

Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

The rundown

Team news

Dragons: Mathew Feagai will make his NRL debut in place of Cody Ramsey (rib) on the wing, while Junior Amone will also play his first game in the Telstra Premiership, via the bench.

Tyrell Fuimaono comes in at centre to repace Zac Lomax (dislocated thumb).

Ramsey and Adam Clune dropped out of the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off while Poasa Faamausili was the last man cut an hour before kick-off. Jackson Ford is 18th man.

Dragons fullback Matt Dufty has scored nine tries in his past eight games at Kogarah.

Bulldogs: Lachlan Lewis and Ofahiki Ogden were added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Matt Doorey reverting to 18th man.

Dylan Napa (shoulder) is out, with Ava Seumanufagai starting at prop.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is back at fullback with Nick Meaney moving to the wing in a straight swap.

Napa and Joe Stimson were omitted from the playing squad on Saturday. Tuipulotu Katoa was cut an hour before kick-off.

The Bulldogs have won seven of their past nine games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Sunday 9 May

Full Time

Dragons

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matt Dufty

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Max Feagai

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Nick Cotric
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jack Bird

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Will Hopoate
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tyrell Fuimaono

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Corey Allan
Winger for Dragons is number 20 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Nick Meaney
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Jake Averillo
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Luke Thompson
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Sione Katoa
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan

Prop for Bulldogs is number 16 Ava Seumanufagai
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Josh Kerr

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Adam Elliott
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Chris Smith
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Josh McGuire

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Corey Waddell

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Billy Burns

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bradley Deitz
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Daniel Alvaro

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Renouf Atoni
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Kaide Ellis

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Lachlan Lewis
Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Talatau Amone

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 23 Ofahiki Ogden

Reserves

Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Jackson Ford

Reserve for Bulldogs is number 17 Matt Doorey

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:41:02 AM

Key match-up

Ben Hunt v Kyle Flanagan. Hunt was looking a rejuvenated man before breaking his leg and now that he's back he needs to recapture that spark.

Flanagan is learning the hard way that if your forwards aren't matching it with the opposition the No.7 jersey can be a tough one to wear.

If the men in front of him don't match it with the Dragons pack he could be in for another long afternoon.

Stat attack

Canterbury completed their sets at 79 per cent against Parramatta but generated just two line break and averaged just 33 metres gained per set of six. Their opponents - Parramatta - averaged 15 extra metres per set.

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