The St George Illawarra Dragons powered their way towards another convincing win, emerging 26-6 victors over the Tigers.
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Final score
Wests Tigers 6
St George Illawarra Dragons 28
The St George Illawarra Dragons are firing on all cylinders but need to be weary of a Wests Tigers side that showed improved form last week. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4pm AEST.
Despite yet again fading against the Melbourne Storm, the Tigers showcased just how dangerous they can be to the opposition after a strong first half showing against the premiership favourites.
Coming off a hiding against the Canberra Raiders, the Tigers put Melbourne to the sword in the first half, racing to a 14-nil lead on the back of an outstanding performance from David Nofoaluma.
Unfortunately, the Tigers could not maintain their strong start and eventually succumbed 22-14, letting slip an opportunity to really kick-start their season.
Regardless, another chance presents itself today for the Tigers to get their season back on track. While the Dragons have defied expectations so far, they remain a work in progress, and the Tigers should fancy their chances of causing an upset if they can replicate their first half performance against Melbourne.
Indeed the loss of Luke Brooks to injury shouldn’t destabilise the Tigers attack too much. Brooks has been in poor form over the last few weeks and so Jack Littlejohn gets a chance to stamp his authority in the playmaking role.
The Dragons meanwhile have kept things simple in the opening month of the competition and this simplicity has paid dividends so far. They are making the most of a mobile forward pack that is being led superbly by Paul Vaughan, Tyson Frizell and Jack De Belin.
With such great service upfront from the preceding trio, the Dragons are punching holes up the middle of the park and this is where Gareth Widdop and Josh Dugan are causing huge damage.
With that said, the Dragons have only gotten the better of teams that have struggled for form. The Panthers, Warriors and Sharks were all a bit off-colour when the Dragons beat them, and the Eels at their best put St George Illawarra to the sword away from home.
Prediction
If the Tigers are primed for an arm-wrestle like they were in the first half against Melbourne, they are every chance of causing the upset. Failure to roll up their sleeves though will see the Dragons secure another win.
Tigers by 6
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Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Woods runs the ball up like a cuddly bear for starters- Moses the guy makes wrong decisions in attack and his defence although improving is not flash/Nofa mmm his opposite scored 3 tries and could have had 4 or 5 due to his rushing in defence/ Tedesco - Gussy said he would be the main priority to sign and let the other 3 (Woods/Moses/Brooks) sweat for a contract offer - every loss Tedesco is closer to leaving and the way the other 3 are playing or have played they would be lucky to even get a contract offer from Newcastle, If Daley picks Woods and Farah for Origin then it will be another QLD series win
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Jacksyd is in lottoland or camping out there to be first in for this game no doubt - Manly do have a 70% win percentage at Brookvale though.
PatchMan
Guest
You say Dragons will cop a hiding nxt week? It was not long ago, when people were talking about if Barrett will survive the yr as Coach' & Eagles weren't playing to their potential! Eagles win a couple of good games' & now Dragon's will cop a hiding?! Dugan Injury won't help but Dragons will still put up a fight'.. Lookin fwrd to a good tough game! :)
souvalis
Guest
Nothing to do with 'rabble and no plan' and everything to do with their roster,there are only 4 genuine first graders in the entire 17..Tedesco,Moses,Woodsyand Nofa,they're going alright,it's the weaker support players in the roster who are being targeted or just can't keep up...those 4 are the only ones that would make the Newcastle team,seriously...
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
Tigers look a rabble no plan to their attack and they seem very pedestrian in the forwards and in defence. How many teams will make breaks through the ruck against the Tigers(ruck awareness) - haven't learned from previous games and the up and in defence found wanting again- Cleary must be having second thoughts about taking on the job. Dragons were tradesmen like and nothing special though as basically the Tigers threw little at them. The so called big "4"'s value is slipping every loss - Dragons now favourites to sign Tedesco. Dogs apparently after all 4 too
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Dragons went ok winning without too much trouble. The Tigers have little direction, time to give Mose's a spell in the Reggies and Tedesco is overplaying his hand. They will be lucky to win a couple of more games.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Very impressed with the Dragons so far this season. Widdop is finally playing to his potential. The forwards have been outstanding. I think they're going to give the comp a decent shake and am tipping a top eight position for them.
Alan
Roar Guru
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Scott Pryde
Expert
Still a lot to work on for the Dragons, but that was pretty impressive. Next four weeks are going to be tough.
Alan
Roar Guru
PENALTY SUCCESSFUL FULLTIME Tigers 6 Dragons 28
Sean
Guest
2018... with alot of players in our side playing for other clubs hopefully..
Alan
Roar Guru
McCrone with another good grubber and Suli concedes the drop-out. The Dragons too professional today. Tigers 6 Dragons 26
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Tedasco with a poor grubber. Concedes the penalty. Dragons enjoying themselves here. Where to for the Tigers? Tigers 6 Dragons 26
Alan
Roar Guru
Dragons coach a happy man. Good on him. He went into 2017 with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. The Dragons though have turned up this year and fans have every reason to be optimistic. Dugan's injury though doesn't help their cause. Tigers 6 Dragons 26
Jacksyd
Guest
Dragons will cop a hiding next week.
Alan
Roar Guru
MacDonald scores in the corner as he grounds another good grubber from McCrone. Dragons short kicking game has yielded great dividends today. Another frustrating afternoon for the Tigers. Dragons promising season continues to gather further momentum! CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Tigers 6 Dragons 26
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY DRAGONS Tigers 6 Dragons 24
Alan
Roar Guru
Dragons get the penalty and get another chance to put the points in the bag right here.. Tigers 6 Dragons 20
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - Tigers rush their play down the left and the ball goes into touch. That is called frustration. I think the Tigers are the worst attacking team in the comp thus far...that play says it all. Tigers 6 Dragons 20
Alan
Roar Guru
Tigers get another penalty for a high shot on Tedasco. Tigers have had plenty of opportunities in this game to score tries, yet only have six points to show for their efforts. Dragons far more clinical in possession. Tigers 6 Dragons 20