Dragons v Storm: Lawrie on track; Tui fills void
St George Illawarra are chasing a third-straight victory over the Melbourne Storm as they look to make a statement at WIN Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Dragons stunned the Storm in Melbourne in 2024 before edging their rivals 14-8 at Kogarah nearly 12 months ago and they're chasing a similar result in Wollongong this weekend.
Shane Flanagan's side did everything but return home from Vegas with the two points and shocked plenty of pundits by pushing the Bulldogs to golden point before a Stephen Crichton field goal broke their hearts.
Despite the loss, the result proved the Dragons are capable of matching it with the top teams in the competition.
St George Illawarra's defence was superb at Allegiant Stadium and new halfback Daniel Atkinson will look to build on a solid club debut when he runs on to WIN Stadium this weekend.
The Dragons will have to be at their best to topple the Storm, who ran rampant in a 52-4 win over Parramatta last week.
The win kept Craig Bellamy's remarkable Round 1 unbeaten streak alive but the focus is now on breaking down a staunch Red V defensive wall.
Pace and quick play the balls will be key for the visitors as they look to unlock the dynamic running games of Sua Faalogo, Harry Grant and Joe Chan.
Match: Dragons v Storm
Round 2 -
home Team
Dragons
11th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Dragons: On the back of a narrow loss in Vegas, coach Shane Flanagan has kept the faith with the squad that pushed the Bulldogs to the limit. Prop Blake Lawrie has been named in the No.16 and will be chasing his first minutes of the season after missing out in Vegas when Mat Feagai was activated to cover for Moses Suli (HIA) and Setu Tu (cramps).
Storm: Veteran Tui Kamikamica comes in at lock for Alec MacDonald (concussion) in the only change to the starting side that dismantled the Eels. Jack Hetherington returns from suspension and has been added to the bench while Shawn Blore is listed on the extended bench as he looks to return from an ankle injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Storm is number 1 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses SuliCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine HolmesCentre for Storm is number 4 Moses Leo
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Setu TuWinger for Storm is number 5 Nick Meaney
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Daniel AtkinsonHalfback for Storm is number 7 Jahrome Hughes
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre GulerProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Toby CouchmanProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Joe Chan
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Ativalu Lisati
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hamish StewartLock for Storm is number 13 Tui Kamikamica
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Hame SeleInterchange for Storm is number 14 Tyran Wishart
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Josh KerrInterchange for Storm is number 15 Cooper Clarke
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake LawrieInterchange for Storm is number 16 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ryan CouchmanInterchange for Storm is number 17 Davvy Moale
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Lyhkan King-TogiaInterchange for Storm is number 18 Preston Conn
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 19 David FaleInterchange for Storm is number 19 Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown
Reserves
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Jacob HalangahuReserve for Storm is number 20 Angus Hinchey
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Mathew FeagaiReserve for Storm is number 21 Shawn Blore
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Tyrell SloanReserve for Storm is number 22 Hugo Peel
Dragons Ins
- David Fale
- Jacob Halangahu
- Tyrell Sloan
Storm Ins
- Angus Hinchey
- Hugo Peel
- Jack Hetherington
- Shawn Blore
Dragons Outs
Storm Ins
- Alec MacDonald
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dragons have won their last two games against the Storm.
- The Storm have won their last three games at WIN Stadium.
- Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has scored six tries in his last five games at WIN Stadium.
- Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has scored six tries in seven games against the Dragons.
- Dragons centre Valentine Holmes has scored a try in his last three games against the Storm.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
