By Nathan Beuman
The St George Illawarra Dragons will be looking to capture their first win of the season when they travel face Wests Tigers Campbelltown Stadium on Monday (7:00pm).
Following the disappointment of last round’s 12-4 loss to the Melbourne Storm, the Dragons will be keen to silence the Tigers crowd in a contest that is sure to entertain.
Despite dominating the Melbourne in almost every area on paper, the Dragons were unable to convert possession and field position into points, something that Head Coach Paul McGregor will be keen to change.
While the loss to the Storm wasn’t the way the Club had hoped to start the season, there are definitely positives to take out of the match, with the Dragons completing 32 of their 38 sets, the highest of any Club in round one.
Fresh off a 19-18 win over the Gold Coast Titans thanks to a last minute Pat Richards field goal, the West Tigers will be keen to carry the momentum into Monday night.
In a back and forth contest that many expected the Tigers to win easily, the Tigers struggled to turn ball into points, despite having 56% of possession.
Team Changes
The Dragons have named an identical line up to the one picked by Paul McGregor last week, with Josh Dugan being selected at fullback, despite sustaining an ankle injury in the game against Melbourne.
Furthermore, Dragons captain Ben Creagh has been ruled out from the fixture after scans revealed he had suffered a lower back injury.
Dragons winger Jason Nightingale has since been named captain in lieu while a decision over who will start at lock-forward has yet to be determined.
Dragons duo Jake Marketo and Heath L’Estrange have both been named on an extended six-man bench for the clash.
The Tigers have only one change from the side that took to the field on the Gold Coast last Saturday night, with Chris Lawrence named to return from a hamstring injury, forcing youngster Kyle Lovett to drop back to 18th man.
History
The Dragons lead the head to head battle between the two rivals, winning 16 of the 29 encounters since 1998.
Campbelltown has been a happy hunting ground for St George Illawarra, winning their only two games between the clubs at the venue.
The Dragons have won three of their last four matches against the Tigers dating back to the start of 2013.
Game Day Information
Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons
Monday, March 16
Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah.
Gates Open: 4:40pm
NYC: 4:45 pm
NRL: 7:00 pm
