NRL Round 17 Match Preview: Dragons journey to nation’s capital for Sunday showdown

Author: St George Illawarra Dragons
Timestamp: Thu 25 Jun 2026, 05:53 PM

The Dragons will this weekend travel to the nation’s capital for a Sunday afternoon battle with the Canberra Raiders.

Round 16 - Round 16 - Friday 19 Jun

Full Time

Knights

Dragons

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Highlights Latest

KEY INFO

Tickets: Available
Date: Sunday, June 28th
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Watch: Kayo & Foxtel
Gates Open: 11:15am
NRL: 2:00pm

BEANIES FOR BRAIN CANCER

he National Rugby League (NRL) and Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF) are teaming up for the 10th anniversary Beanie for Brain Cancer Round across Round 17 of the 2026 Telstra Premiership this week.

Across the nine Beanie Rounds to date, Rugby League fans have helped MHF raise $29.7 million through the sale of more than 1.3 million beanies, bringing Australians together in the fight against brain cancer.

The support of the Rugby League community enabled MHF to establish one of the country’s leading brain cancer research centres at the University of Newcastle in 2022, where just this month MHF injected a new landmark $18.9 million philanthropic gift to drive the next phase of research.

In Australia, brain cancer kills more children than any other disease and more people under 40 than any other cancer. One person is diagnosed with brain cancer every five hours.

Beanies are also available from all Lowes Australia stores and at participating Woolworths and IGA Australia stores.

To purchase a beanie or donate, fans can visit markhughesfundation.com.au!

TU CONTINUES UPWARDS TRAJECTORY

Dragons winger Setu Tu is going from strength to strength as his rookie campaigns goes on.

The 27-year-old is the side’s leading try-scorer (7), tackle breaker (58), line breaker (10) and yardage man (1,887 metres).

Tu: “I’ve learnt a lot”

TEAM NEWS

DRAGONS

Mathew Feagai and Tyrell Sloan retain their spots in the backline after Moses Suli was ruled out prior to Friday night’s clash with a hip issue.
Blake Lawrie (leg) is unavailable seeing youngsters Jacob Halangahu and Nick Tsougranis brought onto the extended bench off the back of a strong run of Knock-On Effect NSW Cup form.

RAIDERS

Simi Sasagi (shoulder) returns after five games out pushing Sebastian Kris to the interchange.
Chevy Stewart and Jake Clydsdale are the new faces on the bench with Daine Laurie and Jed Stuart making way.

Round 17 - Round 17 - Sunday 28 Jun

4:00 am

Raiders

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Savelio Tamale

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Setu Tu
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Simi Sasagi

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew Feagai
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine Holmes
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tyrell Sloan
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Daniel Atkinson
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ethan Sanders

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey Horsburgh

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Owen Pattie

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Dragons is number 10 Toby Couchman
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Dylan Egan
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Hamish Stewart
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Jayden Brailey

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Ryan Couchman

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Emre Guler
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan Smithies

Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Josh Kerr
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Sebastian Kris

Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua
Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Chevy Stewart

Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Jacob Halangahu
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Jake Clydsdale

Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Nick Tsougranis

Reserves

Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Coby Black

Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Lyhkan King-Togia
Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Jed Stuart

Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Hame Sele
Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Vena Patuki-Case

Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Christian Tuipulotu