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Penrith Panthers vs St George Illawarra Dragons highlights: NRL scores, blog

Roar Guru
27th August, 2017
Time: 4.00pm AEST
Venue: Pepper Stadium
Last meeting: Dragons 42-12 Panthers; 2017 NRL season
TV: Live Channel Nine, Fox League
Betting: Panthers $1.50, Dragons $2.65

Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Josh Mansour 3. Tyrone Peachey 4. Waqa Blake 5. Dallin Watene Zelezniak 6. Tyrone May 7. Nathan Cleary 8. James Tamou 9. Peter Wallace 10. Regan Campbell-Gillard 11. Corey Harawira 12. Isaah Yeo 13. James Fisher-Harris 14. Sione Katoa 15. Bryce Cartwright 16. Tim Browne 17. Trent Merrin 18. Moses Leota 19. Dean Whare 20. Viliame Kikau 21. Kaide Ellis

Dragons
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Josh Dugan 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Kurt Mann 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Hame Sele 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Josh McCrone 18. Taane Milne 19. Kalifa Faifai Loa 20. Luciano Leilua 21. Will Matthews
Debating whether league or union is the better game is pointless. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Roar Guru
27th August, 2017
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9675 Reads

Match result:

The race for a spot in the NRL finals is well and truly on heading into the last week of the regular season as the Dragons keep their season alive, defeating the Panthers by two points in Penrith.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Penrith Panthers 14
St George Illawarra Dragons 16

Match preview:

The Penrith Panthers are strongly favoured to secure an eighth straight victory when they host a St George Illawarra Dragons side needing a win to keep their season alive. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4pm AEST.

What a difference a few months can make. The Dragons opened the season with a resounding win over premiership favourites the Panthers, leading many to assume that Penrith were prematurely labelled a contender.

Fast forward to round 24 and the Panthers are surging on the back of seven straight wins that currently has them well in the running to host a home final.

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The Dragons meanwhile have faded tremendously after such a promising opening to the season. The Red V currently sit on 11 wins and need a victory today to not only stay in touch with the top eight, but to keep the Canberra Raiders at bay.

In good news for the Dragons, NSW Origin forward Tyson Frizell has been passed fit to play and will take his place in a strong Dragons pack.

The Panthers are still missing Matt Moylan, but Nathan Cleary’s recent run of good form should counteract any loss in potency suffered through Moylan’s absence.

Form wise, Penrith should be expected to account for a Dragons team that has faded significantly. The Panthers win over the Raiders away from home last week was testament to the team’s much improved resolve after such a poor start to the season.

The Dragons, on the other hand, have suffered poor recent defeats to the Newcastle Knights and South Sydney Rabbitohs – two teams not even in the running for a finals berth.

Prediction
Even without Moylan, the Panthers at their best could perhaps end the Dragons premiership aspirations with a win at home. Across the park, they possess a strong mix of power and talent that should prove too much for the Dragons to handle.

Panthers by 12

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