Friday night footy: Dragons v Dolphins; Storm v Bulldogs
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The Dragons and Dolphins kick off our Friday night double with the men from Redcliffe acutely aware that a slip-up in Wollongong could prove costly for their top-four aspirations.
Set to play finals for the first time in their four-year history, the Dolphins get a golden chance to hit their straps across the next month with games against four teams currently outside the eight.
The Dragons are playing for pride and can be a very dangerous opponent on their day with powerhouse young forwards Hamish Stewart and Ryan and Toby Couchman laying the foundation.
We head to Melbourne for Friday's second game with the Storm on the finals precipice and desperate to hit back after losses in three of their past four matches.
The Bulldogs have found their attacking mojo and are defending for their lives but will need to overturn a poor recent record at AAMI Park.
Follow all the action from Round 22 of the NRL Telstra Premiership on NRL.com's live blog.
Dragons v Dolphins at WIN Stadium
Match: Dragons v Dolphins
Round 22 -
home Team
Dragons
17th Position
away Team
Dolphins
5th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
15 min: Herbie Farnworth delivers the final pass for Selwyn Cobbo to dive over in the corner but replays show the winger's elbow touched the ground simultaneously with the grounding and it's no try.
14 min: Herbie Farnworth steals the ball off Moses Suli and the Dolphins go straight onto the attack.
12 min: The home side hit back after Kyle Flanagan and Clint Gutherson combine on the right edge to put Setu Tu over in the corner. Val Holmes fails to convert. Dolphins 6-4
10 min: The Dolphins look sharp on the left edge again but Isaiya Katoa's pass is behind Kodi Nikorima and it goes to ground.
8 min: The Dragons receive a penalty for a strip by Morgan Knowles and Damien Cook tries to take a quick tap and race away but he is pulled back because Toby Couchman was in front of him when he tapped it.
6 min: A brilliant offload from Connelly Lemuelu sends Kodi Nikorima on his way and the five-eighth picks up Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in support for the game's opening try. Jamayne Isaako converts. Dolphins 6-0
3 min: Lyhkan King-Togia goes to the air and Jamayne Isaako comes up with a safe catch as the teams trade sets early.
Late Mail
Dragons: A couple of key changes for the Dragons with Lyhkan King-Togia starting at five-eighth and Moses Suli promoted to start in the centres with Mat Feagai dropping out. Dan Atkinson goes to the bench which also includes late inclusion Emre Guler. Winger Tyrell Sloan has scored five tries in his last five games.
Dolphins: Gun playmaker Isaiya Katoa has come into the side 90 minutes before kick-off in his return from a wrist injury. Brad Schneider moves back to the bench. The return of centre Jack Bostock from concussion sees Selwyn Cobbo go back to the wing. Jake Averillo (ribs) and Ray Stone (shoulder) return from injury via the bench.
Numbers Game
- The Dragons have conceded 158 points in four straight losses at WIN Stadium.
- The Dolphins have won three of their last four games against the Dragons.
- Dragons winger Tyrell Sloan has scored five tries in his last five games.
- Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored six tries in his last three games against the Dragons.
- Dragons centre Valentine Holmes has scored six tries in eight games at WIN Stadium.
Storm v Bulldogs at AAMI Park
Match: Storm v Bulldogs
Round 22 -
home Team
Storm
12th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
9th Position
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Storm v Bulldogs: Round 22
Numbers Game
- The Storm have won 10 of their last 12 games against the Bulldogs.
- The Bulldogs have won only one of their last six games at AAMI Park.
- The Storm have won five in a row at AAMI Park.
- Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz has scored five tries in his last five games against the Storm.
- Storm winger Moses Leo has scored six tries in his last seven games.
