NRL Match Preview: Round 1 v Bulldogs

Author: Joel Beatton dragons.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 6 Mar 2025, 08:55 AM

Shane Flanagan's Dragons host the Bulldogs at a sold-out Netstrata Jubilee Stadium to open their campaign for 2025.

General public tickets are sold out, but you can still be there and experience all the action in the Legends Club.

The club's Knock-On Effect NSW Cup squad will be in action against the Bulldogs prior to the kick-off to the NRL match.

Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook will co-captain their first official game as Dragons with fellow recruits Valentine Holmes, Lachlan Ilias, and Emre Guler also earning selection.

Local junior and Dragons Academy graduate Hamish Stewart has been named to make his NRL debut off the interchange.

It marks the culmination of a childhood dream for the Gerringong kid who made his way into the club’s pathways system as a teenager.

The 20-year-old progressed through the systems playing two seasons of Harold Matthews Cup and two seasons of SG Ball before making Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup debuts.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 8 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Bulldogs

Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney

Highlights Latest

KEY INFO

Buy Legends Club Tickets
Date Saturday, March 8th
Venue Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
Watch Kayo & Foxtel
2:45PM Box Office Opens (Gates C & D)
3:00PM Gates Open
3:05PM Knock-On Effect NSW Cup | Dragons v Bulldogs
5:30PM NRL | Dragons v Bulldogs

PRE-GAME FESTIVITIES

Fans at the ground early will get 20% off pies and sausage rolls from 3:00pm to 4:00pm courtesy of GEMA Group.

Club legend Mark Coyne will appear on Dragons TV from 4:45pm before a Dragons Flag Giveaway, Scorch's Introduction, and the Squadron Energy Mini Footy Challenge.

Dragons fans waving their new 2025 game day flags will have a chance to win a $100 Dragons Team Store Voucher as a part of a new promo.

The Merchandise Van will be at Gate A with outlets at Gate B and on The Hill.

The Dragons Team Store at St George Leagues Club will be open from 2:00pm until the NRL clash kicks off.

KYLE TONS UP

Dragons No.6 Kyle Flanagan is set to appear in his 100th NRL match on Saturday evening.

An Aquinas Colts junior, Flanagan made his NRL debut for Cronulla back in 2018 under father Shane.

He made the move to the Roosters in 2020 spending a season there before linking up with the Bulldogs for three years.

He reunited with his father at the Red V last year and made 20 appearances scoring five tries and assisting on four others.

50-50 CHARITY RAFFLE RETURNS

The Dragons are proudly partnering with Autism Community Network (ACN) to raise vital funds for a cause that’s close to both organisations' hearts.

With 1 in 75 people in New South Wales diagnosed with autism, your donation will help reduce social isolation, create safe spaces, and ensure that every individual in the autism community has the support they need to thrive.

Purchase your ticket online or at the game – every contribution counts and will make a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most. Thank you for your generosity and support!

TEAM NEWS

DRAGONS

Gerringong Lions junior and Dragons Academy graduate Hamish Stewart has been named to make his NRL debut off the interchange.
Co-captains Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook have been named to start alongside fellow recruits Valentine Holmes, Lachlan Ilias, and Emre Guler.
Milestone man Kyle Flanagan partners Ilias in the halves.
Toby Couchman and Guler make up a new-look front row with Jack de Belin the lock.
Jacob Liddle has been named in jersey No.14 with Stewart, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, and Ryan Couchman joining him on the pine.

BULLDOGS

Josh Curran (suspension) and Jacob Kiraz (back) are unavailable for the visitors.
Marcelo Montoya and Blake Wilson partner each other on the wing with Bronson Xerri and captain Stephen Crichton the centres.
Max King and Samuel Hughes line-up in the front row with former-Dragon Kurt Mann the No.13.
New recruit Sitili Tupouniua headlines the interchange alongside Bailey Hayward, Harry Hayes, and Jaeman Salmon.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Saturday 8 Mar

Full Time

Dragons

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Blake Wilson
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Matt Burton
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Lachlan Ilias

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Toby Sexton

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Toby Couchman

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Max King
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Emre Guler

Prop for Bulldogs is number 21 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Viliame Kikau
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Bulldogs is number 17 Jaeman Salmon

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ryan Couchman

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Bailey Hayward
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Sitili Tupouniua
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Hamish Stewart

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes