You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

With the pain of a Grand Final defeat to the Roosters six months ago no doubt still etched in their minds, the Dragons open their season against a Titans side who have added plenty of talent to their roster after finishing third in the 2021 regular season.

Last season it was the Dragons who denied the Gold Coast a spot in the Grand Final, with St George Illawarra edging past them 24-18 in the semi-finals, having earlier finished one spot ahead of them in the regular season.

Given they have retained more players from last season’s squad than any other in the competition, the Dragons will be confident of making a fast start under coach Jamie Soward, while the Gold Coast have bolstered their ranks with the addition of several representative players to Karyn Murphy's side.  

The Dragons won the two head-to-head meetings last season, while both sides come off last-up victories at this week's venue, WIN Stadium. 

The rundown 

Team news

Dragons: Game day changes see Elsie Albert out with an ankle injury and skipper Kezie Apps move into the front row. Talei Holmes will start in the second row. NSW U-19 player Andie Robinson will make her NRLW debut on the wing. 

Titans: Late change for the Titans see Premiership-winning forward Rona Peters moved to the starting side with Stephanie Hancock back to the bench. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith replaces Tazmin Gray in the second row. Kiwi Fern Roxy Murdoch joins the interchange. The NRLW's reigning top try-scorer Madison Bartlett and fellow off-season signing Apii Nicholls are the new additions to a star-studded backline.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma Tonegato
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Apii Nicholls
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan Berry
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Karina Brown
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Evania Pelite
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregor
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Jasmine Peters
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Andie Robinson
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Madison Bartlett
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kimiora Breayley-Nati
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael Pearson
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Lauren Brown

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Tegan Dymock
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Shannon Mato
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley Davis
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati
  • Prop for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps
    Prop for Titans is number 14 Rona Peters
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Zara Canfield
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 15 Talei Holmes
    2nd Row for Titans is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Holli Wheeler
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Georgia Hale

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Quincy Dodd
    Interchange for Titans is number 10 Steph Hancock
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Monalisa Soliola
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Jessika Elliston
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Tara McGrath-West
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Laikha Clarke
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Renee Targett
    Interchange for Titans is number 18 Roxy Murdoch

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 19 Zali Hopkins
    Replacement for Titans is number 19 Jetaya Faifua

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall

Last updated:

Player to watch: Georgia Hale 

After starring for the Titans in their debut campaign last season, Hale will again be a key weapon with her ability to serve as both a top-class playmaker and a workaholic middle forward in the lock position. Earlier this year when the Kiwi Ferns beat Tonga in a mid-year Test, Hale powered through 194 run metres and made 28 tackles on her way to Player of the Match honours. 

Stat attack

The Dragons had the best discipline in the NRLW last season, giving away an average of just 5.1 penalties per game, more than two penalties less than the competition's most ill-disciplined side, the Knights. The Titans averaged 6.2 penalties conceded across their six games in the 2021 campaign. 

Sign up to play Bundy Mixer, a brand new team-picker game which combined NRL and NRLW players in the one place! Simply select six players each week to win $500 each week or work your way towards the $2,000 overall grand prize!

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