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Rabbitohs
20
Match Complete
Dragons
16
| A. Reynolds |  | 79 | ||
| C. Graham |  | 79 | ||
| 78 |  | G. Widdop | ||
| 75 | | G. Widdop | ||
| 73 | | J. Saab | ||
| 66 | | G. Widdop | ||
| 65 | | J. Saab | ||
| D. Gagai | | 55 | ||
| C. Walker | | 42 | ||
| D. Gagai | | 30 | ||
| A. Reynolds | | 19 | ||
| 3 | | G. Widdop |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The finals have come early for the St George Illawarra Dragons, as they take a step into the last-chance saloon against the solid, but not brilliant South Sydney Rabbitohs. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:55pm (AEST).
Given the perilous state of their for and against, the Dragons would need a minor miracle in other results to drop another game and still make the finals.
In short, the finals start tonight for the struggling Red V, who almost certainly must win seven from seven regular season games to qualify for September.
Their form has been horrendous though, and on recent form, this looks like a mismatch.
But it shouldn’t be. With the exception of a fairly weak outside backline, the Dragons have a side who should be challenging for the top four on paper.
Paul McGregor’s side, who have been the ringer through the week off the field, clocked off against Penrith last week, letting in 40 points during a must-win game, extending their losing streak to three.
They do get Gareth Widdop and Ben Hunt back this week, but the Dragons need effort if they are going to match it with Souths, who, to be perfectly fair, haven’t been all that great either.
The men from Redfern have won their last two matches on the hop to snap a four-game losing streak, but neither was all that convincing, and a couple of injuries leaves them with some deficiencies in the side.
Missing Sam and George Burgess are big blows to their pack, which otherwise might have been expected to roll over the Dragons, but Adam Doueihi replacing Alex Johnston at fullback might be the sticking point which brings them undone on Friday.
The Dragons kicking game should be dangerous with Hunt, Widdop and Corey Norman out there, so Doueihi will have to be very good.
The Rabbitohs attack is still a dangerous beast though, with outside weapons like James Roberts, Dane Gagai and Campbell Graham, but a lot of their performance will come down to the impact of Damien Cook.
His battle in the ruck with Cameron McInnes will be fascinating to watch, but Souths forwards must get quick play the balls and allow him to go to work.
A fast start is also critical for the Rabbitohs, with fears the Dragons could clock off again if they fall behind early on.
Prediction
Widdop is back for the Dragons, the Rabbitohs have a couple of issues to sort out, and after a tough week off the field, I can feel a Red V ambush coming on.
Or, maybe it’s clutching at straws, but I’m going to put it on the line and back the Dragons to keep their season alive for another week.
Dragons by 12.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this crucial Round 19 NRL match from 7:55pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kick-off: 7:55pm (AEST)
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Homebush
TV: Live, Fox League 501, Channel 9
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel App, Foxtel Now, 9Now NRL Digital Pass
Betting: Rabbitohs $1.36, Dragons $3.08
Overall record: Played 32, Dragons 17, Rabbitohs 15
Last meeting: Round 2, Dragons 18 defeated by Rabbitohs 34 at Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
Last five: Rabbitohs 4, Dragons 1
Record at venue: Played 12, Rabbitohs 7, Dragons 5
Referees: Gerard Sutton, Matt Noyen
South Sydney Rabbitohs
1. Adam Doueihi 2. Dane Gagai 3. James Roberts 4. Braidon Burns 5. Campbell Graham 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Dean Britt 11. John Sutton 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Cameron Murray
Interchange: 14. Tom Amone 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Jaydn Su’A 17. Kyle Turner 18. Connor Tracey 19. Corey Allan 20. Sam Burgess 21. Thomas Burgess
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Corey Norman 2. Jason Saab 3. Euan Aitken 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Zac Lomax 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Ben Hunt 8. Blake Lawrie 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Tariq Sims 13. James Graham
Interchange: 14. Josh Kerr 15. Korbin Sims 16. Matthew Dufty 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Reece Robson 19. Jacob Host 20. Patrick Kaufusi 21. Mikaele Ravalawa
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