The St George Illawarra Dragons will face the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah on Saturday, July 25th (5:30pm). This is your Round 11 game guide.
- Dragons make one forced change
- Frizell happy to see young guns pushing for his spot
- Sharks mix up their bench
- Finals lure adds spice to local derby
- Josh Kerr signs long term deal
Home and away
Stone the flamin' crows, the Sharks are playing a home game at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium? Strewth!
While technically an away game for the Dragons on Saturday, we want to see as many Red V members in the stands as possible for this weekend's local derby.
Email redv@dragons.com.au or message us on our social media platforms for more details on how you can purchase tickets to our "away game".
Dufty and Norman want to see plenty of red and white in the stands
On this day
Dragons fans will be hoping history repeats itself on July 25.
16 years ago to the day, a Trent Barrett-led St George Illawarra outfit prevailed 26-14 over the Sharks – at a time where Dragons fanatic John Howard was prime minister and the NRL salary cap was just $3.25 million per club.
Cronulla stalwart Paul Gallen played five-eighth that day, Mark Riddell played in the second row and crossed for a meat pie while Dragons winger Reece Simmonds crossed for a double.
Changes to the team sheet
The Dragons have found a winning formula of late as they sit one win outside the top eight. The only Red V change for Round 11 has come following the suspension of Tariq Sims, bringing Tyrell Fuimaono into the starting side and Jacob Host onto the bench.
The Sharks find themselves in a similar boat, with Toby Rudolf starting at lock for Scott Sorensen (knee) and Siosifa Talakai in the back row for the suspended Briton Nikora. Jack Williams and debutant Teig Wilton are the new names on the bench.
"Nothing to lose" - Dufty credits form to self confidence
Vaughany on fire
Powerful big man Paul Vaughan has reinstated himself as one of the premier props in the competition over the past two weeks. The ears of rep selectors would have pricked up hearing about his monster 237-metre performance in the win over Manly, backing that up with another 184 metres in the win over the Bulldogs. His battle with the Sharks' forwards will be one to watch.
Silence for Stevie
The St George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks will observe a moment's silence for Stevenson 'Stevie' Upulasi who sadly passed away earlier this week.
Upulasi was a member of the Dragons' Under-20s squad, having previously played for both St George and the Sharks' junior representative teams.
The Dragons send their sincere condolences to the friends and family of Stevie at this time.
