Dolphins vs St George Illawarra Dragons: NRL live scores, blog

Round 13 of the NRL premiership starts tonight when the Dolphins take on the St George Illawarra Dragons at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).

Origin is here, so it’s the time of year when club depth is tested. Two premiership points still mean two premiership points at any time of the season. However, it’s Origin time where some teams will cement their top 8 hopes whilst others start their slide.

It’s not often Wayne Bennett’s sides appear flat, but the Dolphins were just that against the Storm last Saturday night. The 24-16 doesn’t reflect a hammering but the Storm led 24-4 with 15 minutes to go and were also in control.

The Dolphins have built their game around a vastly experienced forward pack. On top of that, they have an exciting backline, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tesi Niu the headline acts. Origin selections and suspensions will have an impact tonight though.

In team changes, Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert are missing through Origin duty, whilst Felise Kaufusi is suspended. Ray Stone and Herman Ese’ese move to the starting line up, with Mark Nicholls, returning from injury, and Mason Teague the new forwards on the bench. In the backs, Kodi Nikorima shifts to fullback, Anthony Milford has been named at five-eighth and Valynce Te Whare gets a spot on the interchange.

Sharks fan typically don’t like the Dragons, However, it was hard not to get caught up in the hysteria after St George Illawarra’s last minute 24-22 win over the Roosters. Interim coach Ryan Carr was over the moon and so was his playing group.

Despite popular opinion, the Dragons don’t have a bad squad on paper. Team culture and cohesion is sometimes under scrutiny however. There are plenty of issues to solve at the Dragons but winning makes everything easier.

Jaydn Su’A is out with a hamstring problem with Jack Bird, returning from knee soreness, a straight swap. Jayden Sullivan comes in for the Origin bound Ben Hunt. Michael Molo comes in for the injured Blake Lawrie and Moses Mbye has a spot on the bench.

Prediction

Both teams are missing key players, but the loss of Ben Hunt to Queensland is a big blow to St George Illawarra.

Their squad will be keen to show they can win without Hunt but, until they do, I can’t pick them. Dolphins by 8

Game information

Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Dolphins $1.53 Dragons $2.50 – odds via PlayUp

Dolphins: 1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Valynce Te Whare 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. Kurt Donoghoe 20. Edrick Lee 21. Jeremiah Simbiken 22. JJ Collins

Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Michael Molo 11. Jack Bird 12. Ben Murdoch-Masila 13. Jack de Belin 14. Moses Mbye 15. Toby Couchman 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Josh Kerr 18. Billy Burns 19. Max Feagai 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Paul Turner