Despite the omission of Robbie Farah, the Wests Tigers took a 13-point win over the Dragons on Sunday afternoon.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Dragons 12
Tigers 25
After a horror last start, the St George Illawarra Dragons will be hoping to redeem themselves when they host the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium. Join The Roar from 4pm (AEST) for live coverage.
Benji Marshall will be celebrating his 250th first grade game against his old club as the Red V look to move back into the top eight.
The former New Zealand international returns after the Illawarra side were on the receiving end of a heavy 32-12 loss to the Titans at Kogarah.
Pressure is now building on Dragons coach Paul ‘Mary’ McGregor with a loss to the Wests Tigers to put his future at the club at long odds.
It comes after the Red V have fallen on hard times in recent weeks with many fans frustrated with the current administration and coaching staff.
Marshall will have to prove his team are capable of playing finals footy and are in full support of Mary’s regime with a strong performance against the Tigers who are hot on their tail.
Drama is also brewing at Concord after Jason Taylor dropped club legend Robbie Farah to reserve grade during the week.
Like the McGregor situation at the Dragons, the Wests Tigers club are divided with calls suggesting the club could move to Perth as soon as 2020 while a number of fans yesterday released their frustrations with Taylor at an Intrust Super Premiership match against Newtown.
The joint venture go into this game as favourites and must win the battle in the middle of the park with Aaron Woods and Sauaso Sue requiring a big effort.
It will also be down to Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks to get James Tedesco as involved as possible against a weak Dragons defensive line.
Last time they met the Dragons had a narrow 32-30 win to qualify for the finals in round 26 last year.
It was their seventeenth victory over the Wests Tigers since 2000 with the black, white and gold winning 14 fixtures.
Prediction
The Dragons will continue their form slump with a heavy loss to the Wests Tigers.
Wests Tigers by 18.
Join The Roar from 4pm (AEST) for live score updates and debate in our live blog.
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew.
SpongeBob
Guest
Moses and Brookes are great runners. That's probably why they've struggled to transition, at the lower levels solo plays happen a lot more whereas teamwork is more important at the top grade. Against lower sides they get more 1 vs 1 and can use their sleight of hand and speed to dazzle. Against the top sides it's not that easy and that's why they look so poor. Benji (of old) & Johnson are the only 2 players I can think of who have succeeded despite lacking of good half ability. Their footwork is just sublime, half the tries they score they don't even have a hand laid on them. Of course, I'm sure if you put JT in the Tigers lineup he'd look a lot worse. Doesn't help when you're constantly struggling. However if those 2 can improve the other facets of their game they'll do well.
Kowalski
Guest
Worse than my broncos ? Didn't see the game
Renegade
Roar Guru
I thought 15-16k was about right.
Woodhouse
Guest
He's so much better than Cam Smith.
King cowboy
Guest
I actually thought there was more people there from the coverage.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
» Click here to read the full match report That concludes The Roar’s coverage of St George Illawarra Dragons vs Wests Tigers. Be sure to join us over the remainder of the round with Joe Schwab bringing you live coverage of South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Manly Sea Eagles from 7pm (AEST) tomorrow night. Elsewhere on The Roar, Jawad Yaqub has live coverage of the Hungarian Grand Prix while Ryan Day will be covering Stage 21 of the Tour de France from midnight. Thanks for following along.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MVP Nominations 3 - Mitchell Moses 2 - Ava Seumanufagai 1 - Taane Milne St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
The ladder as it stands 1. Cronulla Sharks - 36 2.Melbourne Storm - 34 3. North Queensland Cowboys - 28 4. Canberra Raiders - 27 5. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs - 26 6. Brisbane Broncos - 24 7. Gold Coast Titans - 22 8. Penrith Panthers - 22 9. New Zealand Warriors - 20 10. Wests Tigers - 20 11. St George Illawarra Dragons - 20 12. Manly Sea Eagles - 16 13. South Sydney Rabbitohs - 14 14. Parramatta Eels - 12 15. Sydney Roosters - 10 16. Newcastle Knights - 7
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Possession 17% - 83% Completions: 28/37 (76%) - 31/41 (76%) All Runs: 173 - 159 All Run Metres: 1594 - 1540 Line Breaks: 3 - 6 Offloads: 22 - 13 Tackles: 320 - 317 Missed Tackles: 23 - 40 Penalties: 7 - 9 Errors: 10 - 10 St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Wests Tigers have come away with a 13-point win to press their finals claims and cast further doubt over the Dragons' hopes of playing in September. St George Illawarra started strong early nabbing an early try through Kurt Mann who scored off an Adam Quinlan try assist. Gareth Widdop soon put the Red V in front by 8 with a penalty goal in the 10th minute before David Nofoaluma struck for the Tigers. The Campbelltown junior scored after Kevin Naiqama drew in Euan Aitken to send his winger over unmarked. Chaos ensued as Leeson Ah Mau was put on report for a high shot on Tim Grant leaving the forward unconcious before Jordan Rankin kicked a penalty goal. Almost immediately after Luke Brooks found a gap in a poor defensive line to walk through and score. The Wests Tigers continued their onslaught with Nofoaluma busting the line and passing to Tedesco, the fullback scoring under the posts. The Red V went into the break down by 10 points needing an inspired effort in the second half. Taane Milne came close to drawing first blood in the final term only to be called back after Tariq Sims impeded Luke Brooks with an obstruction ruled. The momentum continued to go the way of Wests with Josh Aloiai scoring in the 58th minute off a Mitchell Moses short ball before Jordan Rankin extended their lead to 16 points with a penalty goal. The Dragons refused to give up with a 67th minute try to Adam Quinlan after a gut-busting run from Taane Milne however, it wasn't enough with Mitchell Moses kicking a field goal to seal the deal and give his side a 13-point win. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
danwain
Guest
Completely agree, Moses had a brilliant match and looks so composed when he has the ball. Here is hoping he keeps improving as NSW could really use his creativity. Quinlin was great, Milne was the big positive, provided thrust out wide that the dragons are sorely lacking. I feel for Frizell, he never stops but he is used as a battering ram, when he could be such a great attacking weapon.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME The Wests Tigers come away with a 13-point win. Match report, statistics and MVP Nominations to come. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
80' Moses forward pass to Woods, not called. The Dragons get a late penalty but it isn't enough as Marshall kicks looking for a hail mary, Halatau runs it out. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
The Barry
Roar Guru
Moses is really looking comfortable at this level. He's becoming more consistent and some of his touches are brilliant. Defence is still a pretty big concern but he has a go. I reckon Quinlan has been good for the Ragons. Frizell and Aitken don't stop trying and Milne is having a dig.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
79' The Wests Tigers spread left, Simona is brought to ground on the 20m line. Moses passes out to Brooks who hands it off to Rankin. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
78' Milne offloads just millimetres away from the boundary, Quinlan picks it up and has a foot in-touch. Penalty awarded to Edwards from a de Belin high tackle. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
77' The Dragons go short, Mann comes up with it. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
FIELD GOAL! 77' Mitchell Moses drills it over from the 20m line and the Wests Tigers will hold on. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 25
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
76' Wests Tigers on the attack, 20m out from the line. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 24
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
75' The Dragons gain 74 metres, Marshall kicks and Rankin fields it in-goal for a 20m restart. St George Illawarra Dragons 12 Wests Tigers 24