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 |
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.
Game information
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
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I think, unless the NRL interfere, I favour a raider V Bunnies GF. You guys face chooks in first semi and provided JWH doesn't wipe out someone in the last round (and i seriously wouldn't put it past him) then I think your lot can beat the chooks.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Ok fair enough but, yes DS, that is one thing that I’ve notice this year and its very encouraging from the Bunnies, that our 'guys believed until the end’ which is a very encouraging thing for the future and the finals, once we are at full strength and we will get all our players back! The Bunnies have been very unfulfilling all year, I don’t know, there is just something missing there that worries me in comparison to the Storm, not so much with the Rooster’s, hopefully they will get their stuff together and especially Reno gets his goal kicking back on track, as that will be very crucial for the big games as it was last night. What a revelation it is to have a good goal kicker like Widdop who can kick them from anywhere!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
what?? where?? ...
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
No sarcasm meant, grew out of that many years ago. :). I was understandably dismayed at the end result and neglected my usual manners on the night. As I noted to Papi, at least your guys believed until the end which was is good thing for the finals.
steveng
Roar Rookie
HaHaaa, is that suppose to be a sarcastic remark? lol but, that was a very unsatisfactory win by the Rabbits, some good things to take from this game but the bad things far outweigh the good! Never mind, looking on the bright side, the Bunnies have 4 out (SamB, GeorgeB, LiamK and AlexJ) and lots of improvements to come, that is my excuse as big Wayne will have them primed for September, Go You Bunnies!!!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Cheers mate. To be fair to the Bunnies it was 4 tries to 2 and AJ, Sam Burgess, George Burgess and Liam Knight all missing. Still, it was a less than impressive performance and Reynolds needs to find his kicking boots before next week for the run home. There is a lot to be proud about the Dragons performance though. Except for Hunt's failed drop kick restart perhaps. ;-)
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Not even fumes mate, not even fumes…. BTW congratulations, at least your guys believed until the end and never gave up. That was a good workout of character before the big dance. ????
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
BTW, congratulations for Friday Steve :)
Wayne Turner
Guest
As a Dragons fan,my thoughts on the game:- Souths were the better team and deserved the win. My Dragons left it too late,just,and made poor decisions at the end too. Dragons have huge problems: Horrible management yet again re-signed dud non coach Mary way too early in the season. The club is full of ex-Dragons on the coaching staff,not on merit,but inbred jobs for the boys. Mary's dud non-coaching cost as the game. Widdop should never have gone for the penalty goal when it was 14 all.Too much time was left,for Souths to predictably score.It was a negative and defeatist choice.Instead,they should have gone for a try to put Souths away,then at worst kick a field goal,with time almost up,with no chance to even have Souths kick off.Yet again we showed we have a lack of confidence in our attack. Sack the coach,and management.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
If he played last night I missed it. So am I btw. ;-)
Farmer Geddon
Guest
If we look at that last pass, then we need to go back through the whole game. I stopped counting a 10 Dragons forward passes not called by the ref.
Insider
Roar Rookie
And Muhammad Ali
Max power
Guest
So was Mario Fenech
Max power
Guest
When souths lose a game to a dud call I’m sure you say the same thing
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"McInnes was super for the Dragons even before the charge down" Did I mention that McInnes is a South Sydney junior? ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Well forward when it went backwards? Obviously someone didn't go to Specsavers!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
To avoid the wooden spoon? Don't read that DPS!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Just visiting or do you live there jimmmy? Well, at least it must be MUCH warmer!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
'ete' = eye with Fat Thumbs on a mobile phone keyboard. FTS is a real and debilitating condition DPS. You shouldn't laugh. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Bahahahahahaha Bunnies don't have pockets and where refs are concerned it's always "RABBIT SEASON!"