TripADeal NRL team announcement: Round 1 v Cowboys
St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has named his mandatory 21-man squad ahead of the Dragons' Round 1 clash against the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium, Townsville on March 16.
Mikaele Ravalawa (St George Illawarra player #218) will make his NRL debut on the wing, and will be joined by five-eighth Corey Norman (#219) as the Dragons' first debutants of 2019.
Skipper Gareth Widdop's move to fullback has been formalised, with Matt Dufty moving back to the interchange as a result. Jacob Host has been named in the back row with Tyson Frizell named at lock.
Round 1 of the Telstra Premiership will see all 16 clubs support the North Queensland Flood Appeal; the NRL will donate $100 for every point scored across the eight games.
The Dragons will support the appeal by donating a signed jersey to North Queensland's online memorabilia auction. The two club captains Widdop and Michael Morgan will also sign a match-day football that will be included in the Cowboys' fundraising efforts. Details for this auction will be communicated at a later date.
Unavailable Dragons:
Jack de Belin (welfare)
Korbin Sims (suspension)
NRL squad for Round 1 v North Queensland Cowboys -
- Gareth Widdop – sponsored by Dynamic Projects
- Jordan Pereira – sponsored by Paul's Customs and Forwarding Solutions
- Euan Aitken – sponsored by University of Wollongong
- Tim Lafai – sponsored by Kingsgrove Sports Centre
- Mikaele Ravalawa – sponsored by SMAI
- Corey Norman – sponsored by Illawarra Mercury/St George & Sutherland Shire Leader
- Ben Hunt – sponsored by Paul's Customs and Forwarding Solutions
- James Graham – sponsored by EFEX
- Cameron McInnes – sponsored by Floormania
- Paul Vaughan – sponsored by My Muscle Chef
- Jacob Host – sponsored by Val Morgan
- Tariq Sims – sponsored by Stonemasons & Landscapers (since 1970)
- Tyson Frizell – sponsored by Wollongong Jetski
Interchange:
14. Jeremy Latimore – sponsored by Dincel Construction System
15. Matt Dufty – sponsored by Stonemasons & Landscapers (since 1970)
16. Blake Lawrie – sponsored by Professionals Padstow
17. Luciano Leilua – sponsored by Domus Lighting
18. Zac Lomax – sponsored by Tosich Group
19. Josh Kerr
20. Reece Robson
21. Jonus Pearson
