Though the Dragons have a tough challenge ahead of them on Friday night, rugby league in 2015 is incredibly unpredictable.
Over the past four weeks, the Dragons have showed everyone they have the skill and power to cause an upset.
St George Illawarra have won their last four matches in a row and the Brisbane Broncos have won their last five. Friday night will be a challenge for both teams and it will depend on the form, but who has the edge?
The Dragons are yet to face a strong opponent. Two out of their four wins were against the Raiders (15th) and the Sea Eagles (16th).
Although the Dragons were victorious against the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon, it is important to take into account Canterbury had lost seven key players including their captain and best in James Graham. As we saw last week, this would ultimately play a huge role in the Bulldogs defeat.
While the Dragons displayed an impressive defensive effort against the Knights, the potency in the Newcastle attack was not as significant in shocking conditions as it had been previously.
The Broncos are on an eight-game winning streak against the Dragons, dating back to Round 21, 2010. However this is the first Dragons-Broncos to be played at Kogarah since 2007. Last Friday night’s Broncos victory over the Roosters in golden point was an absolute blockbuster. Sam Thaiday’s well deserved man-of-the-match award shows his determination to join the on-field squad for good after being benched in recent weeks.
While Justin Hodges returns this week, the Broncos will have their team in full swing and the Dragons will have to watch out.
The loss of Tyson Frizell, who has been a great asset to the Dragons in all aspects in the game, and Jason Nightingale will hurt the Dragons this week. The junior players filling these spots, Pete Mata’utia and Will Matthews have huge shoes to fill this week.
If Mata’utia performs as well as he did against the Bulldogs and the Dragons defence stays as strong as in the last four weeks, then the Dragons could have an impressive performance on Friday night and jump to the top of the ladder.
If the Dragons defensive effort isn’t as strong as previous weeks, then Friday night will not be as close as everyone predicts.
Andrew Khoury
Roar Rookie
I agree with you. It's clear the Dragons are in great form. It is 4/6 wins but yeah still clearly good form. I was just mentioning that the Dogs had a number of key players out. The Knights then went on to lose the week after against the Sharks (22-6). Dragons must not get a big head from those wins. Tonight will be the ultimate test for the Dragons. If they come out on top they are serious contenders.
Charles NSW
Guest
The Dragons defence in moving up fast and being effective is what I have been hoping them to do for a long time now. However one area they will need to watch is their opposition halves kicking behind their line. In their attack they will need to strengthen their left side so they can attack either side with precision that they are achieving on the right side. This team is on the right track and I admire McGregor efforts as a coach!
Ken
Guest
OK so some of the Dragons victories were against Manly & the Raiders (not that they are too shabby) but they also knocked off the undefeated Knights and a weakened, but still rep-stacked, Dogs in dominant performances. Tonight against the Broncos is a bigger challenge certainly but their 5 match winning streak includes the Titans, Sharks and Cowboys (pre-Thurston firing) - no mention of that. In this close comp it doesn't really matter who you're playing, 4/5 wins on a trot means you're in form. Looking forward to a top game tonight with the better team winning - you know, the Dragons!
George CONSTANTINE
Roar Rookie
The broncos will be upstaged by a gritty performance once again the flair is not needed to win games flair can mean mistakes like we saw in the first two and a half games
Charles NSW
Guest
Not everyone had written off the Dragons George. There are some fans that know there are problems but expect them to be iron out and at the moment they are. The Dragons are showing a lot of flair and if they keep going barring injuries they will continue to progress under Coach McGregor.
Andrew Khoury
Roar Rookie
I agree! There effort and determination has been brilliant
George CONSTANTINE
Roar Rookie
Everyone rode off the dragons but The dragons are stronger and fitter then any other team and after the two losses the winning teams said it was a tough game for them the dragons look like they want win like they have the desire and desperation to win as they get more game time together they will only get better I'm excited go the dragons
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
There's also the question that sometimes hodges literally takes it upon himself to do things and doesn't let others do their job(case in point would be round 26 last year where he constantly, literally, pushed McCoullough aside.) Something Bennett says he has pulled him up for. Hopefully we can keep cruising over the next month to give Blair(seriously how bad of a cork was it?) Kahu and Boyd all the time they need to recover. No need to rush anyone back if we're still winning. We lose a couple in a row though and on comes the pressure. Realistically though we only need 7 more wins from 18 or so games to be all but secured a finals spot.
Andrew Khoury
Roar Rookie
Hodges didn't want to over extend his niggle. He will be fine. Bennett was not worried.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Having lunch with Henry on the Goldie...
up in the north
Guest
What's the story with Hunt & Hodges unable to complete training?
The eye
Guest
Benji will have Vidot back in reserves this time next week..
James Cairns
Guest
The dragons might surprise here but I can't see it. Broncos are for real.
Andrew Khoury
Roar Rookie
As a Dragons fan, i hope you are right. But i do think without Frizell and Nightingale it may put a hole in their defence. If there passion stays the same and Mathews and Mata'utia are rock solid this match will be very interesting.
Jackson Henry
Guest
Hoping they do well versus thinking they actually will do well. Nothing wrong with that, I like hearing honest appraisals of teams from their own fans. Refreshing, should be much more of it.
Charles NSW
Guest
As a Saints fan jamesb has written them of all season. What kind of fan are you?
Jay C
Roar Guru
Why do I get the feeling after all this talk of defense that it might just end up a tit for tat, high scoring affair
Jay C
Roar Guru
Or maybe because they beat Manly and the other losers
saint ryano
Guest
every team the dragons play after they beat them loses the next week. maybe dragons are humiliating teams with their defence--its a lot better than what you think Andrew K
jamesb
Guest
As a Saints fan, I have written them off all season. And I will continue to write them off lol.