NRL 2023, St George Illawarra Dragons, The Dolphins, Round 5 match preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 1 Apr 2023, 04:32 PM

The Dragons are at home at Wollongong this weekend and will be desperate to return some pride to the Red V jersey when they host competition newcomers the Dolphins.

Both teams went down in Round 4 in contrasting losses, with the unfancied Dolphins fighting to the last inch in their blockbuster 'Battle for Brisbane' derby against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

The Dragons however suffered another second-half capitulation in their derby loss to the Nicho Hynes-inspired Cronulla Sharks, letting in seven tries in their 40-8 defeat.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing for Dragons fans is that for the most part, the side have worked hard and looked competitive early in their last two losses - and in both matches have even led their opposition - only to fall in a heap when forced to defend their errors.

Dolphins fans however have been buoyed by the fight displayed by their side in all their matches, where they have fought back from early deficits to win their first three matches and only went down late to the Broncos, despite a heavy injury toll which included losing halfback Sean O'Sullivan and hooker Kodi Nikorima and a leg injury to winger Tesi Niu hampering his efforts for the majority of the game.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Apr

Full Time

Dragons

Dolphins

Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Highlights Latest

Team News

Dragons: Jacob Liddle will start at hooker with Moses Mbye going to the bench in a late switch an hour before kick-off. Talatau Amone makes his first NRL appearance of the season after coming into the starting squad at five-eighth on Friday for Jayden Sullivan (shoulder). Jack de Belin's calf is good to go and he replaces Zane Musgrove on the bench, after being named in the extended reserves on Tuesday.

Dolphins: The Dolphins are 1-17 with no late changes. Anthony Milford moves from five-eighth to halfback to cover for Sean O'Sullivan (pectoral) and Isaiya Katoa returns from an elbow injury in the No.6 jumper. Tesi Niu (knee) is replaced on the wing by Jack Bostock, who will make his NRL debut against his junior club. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is back from a two-week suspension, so Mason Teague goes to the bench. Herman Ese'ese returns from a pectoral injury at prop.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Apr

Full Time

Dragons

Dolphins

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Euan Aitken
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Brenko Lee
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Jack Bostock
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 21 Talatau Amone

Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Isaiya Katoa
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Anthony Milford

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse Bromwich
Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle

Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie

Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Herman Ese'ese
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Ben Murdoch-Masila

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kenneath Bromwich
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack Bird

Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Tom Gilbert

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 9 Moses Mbye

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Jarrod Wallace
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Mark Nicholls
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Josh Kerr

Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Ray Stone
Interchange for Dragons is number 22 Jack De Belin

Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Mason Teague

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Michael Molo

Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Poasa Faamausili

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:53 AM

Stat Attack

The Dragons have won their past five games at WIN Stadium.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored five tries in four games in 2023.
The Dragons have conceded 80 points in consecutive losses to the Broncos and Sharks.
Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich will play his 300th NRL game.
Dragons centre Moses Suli will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.