You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

It's desperation stakes with both Canberra and St George Illawarra badly needing a win to stay in the dogfight for a spot in the finals.

And the Dragons' cause hasn't been helped at all with the loss of skipper and halfback Ben Hunt (broken arm) for a month.

Both teams slumped to morale-sapping defeats in round 20, the sluggish Raiders having their three-game losing streak snapped in a 34-24 loss to finals rivals Newcastle while an undermanned Dragons squad was thumped 50-14 by Souths for their third heavy loss in succession.

Canberra, crucially, have the positive reinforcement of their recent win streak to lean on but the Dragons must rely on the boost derived from key players returning after serving COVID breach bans.

It couldn't be closer on the table, the two teams equal both on points and differential with the Raiders given the nod for eighth spot based on their having scored more points so far this season - 383 to 382.

Both teams also have a tough run into the finals with Canberra facing Melbourne, Manly and the Roosters in their last four games while the Dragons have the Panthers, Roosters and return date with the Rabbitohs.

Given the circumstances getting the two points here could be season-defining.  

The rundown

Team news

Raiders: Ricky Stuart's team will start 1-17 with Sia Soliola the 18th man.

​Ryan Sutton returns from a chest injury at lock so Hudson Young shifts to the second row and Corey Harawira-Naera moves to the bench. 

Dunamis Lui and Siliva Havili were the first two players cut from the squad 24 hours before kick-off.

The Raiders have won three of their past four games against the Dragons.

Dragons: St  George Illawarra will start 1-17, with Matt Dufty the 18th man.

Cody Ramsey (wrist) will play after missing last week's loss to the Rabbitohs.

Corey Norman shifts from centre to five-eighth and Jayden Sullivan drops to the reserves to allow for Ramsey and Zac Lomax to form the new centre pairing.

Sullivan and Daniel Alvaro were the first two players cut from the extended squad on Thursday.

The Dragons have conceded 114 points in three losses since their bye in round 17.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
    Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Jack Bird
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Harley Smith-Shields
    Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker
    Centre for Dragons is number 3 Cody Ramsey
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Semi Valemei
    Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
    Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Sam Williams
    Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Adam Clune

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
    Prop for Dragons is number 8 Blake Lawrie
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Josh Hodgson
    Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Dragons is number 10 Josh McGuire
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Billy Burns
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Ryan Sutton
    Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
    Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Talatau Amone
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Corey Harawira-Naera
    Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Jackson Ford
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Emre Guler
    Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jaiyden Hunt
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Elijah Anderson
    Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Kaide Ellis

Reserves

  • Reserve for Raiders is number 18 Iosia Soliola
    Reserve for Dragons is number 18 Matt Dufty

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated:

Key match-up

Adam Clune v Sam Williams: Adam Clune needs to adequately fill the void left by Hunt and his kicking game. The departure of George Williams opened the door for Sam to take the No.7 jersey. He needs to control proceedings and keep his side in control of both their play, and their emotions. If the Dragons are to make the finals, Corey Norman and Jayden Sullivan need to give their teammates good field position and decisive ends to sets.

Stat attack

There’s something about the Green Machine which throws a spanner in St George Illawarra’s works - in the past 20 years they have played 27 times with the Dragons victorious on just six occasions.

 

Head to NRL Pick'Em and get pickin’ to win a share of $100,000 cash every week!

Acknowledgement of Country

St George Illawarra Dragons respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples, where our games are played, our programs are conducted and in the communities we support.

Major Partner

Apparel Partners

Icon Partners

View All Partners