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The St George Illawarra Dragons have regained top spot on the ladder with a tense 18-16 win over an improved Canterbury Bulldogs side at ANZ Stadium in front of over 20,000 fans.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Canterbury Bulldogs 16
St George Illawarra Dragons 18
Will the St George Illawarra Dragons respond after a 26-point last-start defeat or will the Canterbury Bulldogs keep their mathematical finals hopes alive? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 4pm AEST.
Let’s face it. The Bulldogs are no hope of a miraculous finals appearance in 2018. However, it has not been all that bad.
Six of Canterbury’s nine losses this year have been by eight points or less, including last week’s four-point defeat at the hands of the Tigers.
Ultimately, Dean Pay’s men have struggled in attack, scoring the second least amount of points in the competition so far and it has proved their Achilles heel in those tight losses.
Their chances of improving are much tougher, however, with five-eighth Kieran Foran ruled out (toe) and replaced by Jeremy Marshall-King.
Michael Lichaa is recalled at hooker in place of Marshall-King. The Bulldogs have an incredible record against the Dragons having won 11 of their last 12 against the Red V, including last year’s 26-20 defeat that saw Paul McGregor’s men miss the 2017 finals series.
Canterbury may have history on their side, yet the Dragons have the clear advantage in this contest.
The Red V currently rank as the best attacking team in the competition and rate the fifth-best in defence.
All their Origin stars have been named to back up, yet Ben Hunt in particular must be in doubt after the halfback was under an injury cloud for Wednesday night’s game at the MCG.
The Dragons look clear victors for mine but the final team list for St. George Illawarra may influence how close the result is.
Tip
The Bulldogs may have a strong record against the Dragons but that will mean little on Monday afternoon.
The Red V will reclaim top spot on the ladder with an emphatic victory, provided the majority of their Origin combatants play.
Dragons by 18.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 4pm AEST.
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