Dragons
40
Match Complete
Bulldogs
4
| Z. Lomax |  | 79 | ||
| B. Hunt |  | 79 | ||
| 75 | | R. Smith | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 72 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 71 | ||
| T. Lafai | | 64 | ||
| B. Hunt | | 63 | ||
| J. Pereira | | 58 | ||
| T. Lafai | | 35 | ||
| M. Ravalawa | | 34 | ||
| T. Lafai | | 29 | ||
| T. Lafai |  | 21 | ||
| T. Lafai | | 15 | ||
| E. Aitken | | 14 |
| 7 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The St George Illawarra Dragons will need to reverse a long-running hoodoo if they are to pick up their third win of the season against the much improved Canterbury Bulldogs at Kogarah. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4:05pm (AEDT).
The Dragons have been scrappy to start the new season, but not poor.
They come into this clash with the Bulldogs holding a two and two record, and will be searching for their third straight after Corey Norman kicked them to victories in the last fortnight with late field goals over the Broncos in the final minute and Knights in golden point.
They have been far from perfect, but the Red V have shown plenty of positive signs in their forwards, as they did in the first half of 2018.
Their biggest problem has been going in and out of games, as well as showing any inkling of controlling the ball well for 80 minutes, with a lot of sloppy errors characterising their season.
They are also learning how to play without Gareth Widdop, so that process will continue today.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, had an awful start to the season, but have risen to the level most expected them to be at in the last week or two.
They came away with their first win in Round 3 as they got the better of the Tigers, then took the Melbourne Storm all the way to the finish line on the road last week.
There is no question the changes Dean Pay made to his side ahead of Round 3 have helped them enormously, with Rhyse Martin and Nick Meaney showing their worth to the club in the two performances since.
The biggest problem for the Bulldogs this afternoon may be the little let down they have from their last performance, however, if they can remain solid, kick the ball well and match the Dragons in the forwards – which is not out of the question if they are aggressive – then this match is certainly not going to go one-sided.
The Bulldogs also have an outstanding record to maintain over the Dragons. They have won 12 of the last 14 encounters, which includes embarrassing the Red V at Kogarah 38-0 late last year, and beating them at Homebush in 2017 to end their finals chances.
Prediction
The Dragons are the better side on paper, but their record in this fixture is dreadful. In saying that, there is going to be a bit of a come down for Canterbury, and it should be three on the hop for the Red V in another close match.
Dragons by 8.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 4:05pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: Jubilee Oval, Kogarah
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, NRL live pass
Overall record: Played 36, Bulldogs 24, Dragons 12
Last meeting: Round 24, 2018 – Dragons 0 defeated by Bulldogs 38 at Kogarah Oval
Last five: Bulldogs 4, Dragons 1
Record at venue: Played 5, Bulldogs 4, Dragons 1
Referees: Ashley Klein, Gerard Sutton
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Matthew Dufty, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Ben Hunt, 8. James Graham, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Blake Lawrie
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore, 15. Zac Lomax, 16. Jacob Host, 17. Luciano Leilua, 18. Mitch Allgood, 19. Jai Field, 20. Josh Kerr, 21. Jonus Pearson
Canterbury Bulldogs
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Kerrod Holland, 4. Will Hopoate, 5. Reimis Smith, 6. Jack Cogger, 7. Lachlan Lewis, 8. Aiden Tolman, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Ofahiki Ogden, 11. Josh Jackson, 12. Corey Harawira-Naera, 13. Rhyse Martin
Interchange: 14. Michael Lichaa, 15. Sauaso Sue, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Chris Smith, 19, Danny Fualalo, 20. Marcel Montoya, 21. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 22. Fa’amanu Brown
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Yeah me too, but on strong performances for the last two weeks. Another strong performance today. Unfortunately, they were wearing red and white. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"I don’t think the scoreboard reflected the contest" Yeah, it was close. Dragons 40 Bulldogs 4 For a second there I thought we would be going to a golden point decider again. Bahahahahahahaha
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Wow. I tipped the Dogs today based on their strong performance last week. Tough day at the office.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m not saying I’m stoked with the performance, just realistic that this was going to happen this season. But the Dragons - particularly in the second half weren’t breaking down the Bulldogs defensive line, they scored most of their points off the back of Dogs errors.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
For me, Vaughan is the form front rower of the comp. Him and Graham could really take the Dragons a long why this year.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
The answer is that they couldn't recover from that effort last week with 8 players under 22 it took it's toll. That still doesn't answer why I was dumb enough to tip the Dogs in an upset! :-(
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
WHY did I tip the Dogs in an upset when I tipped the Dragons to finish 2nd this year (before they lost JDB)?
Rob
Guest
That’s usually what happens with young teams. Backing up the good games week after week. Especially on the road TB. The Dragons have grown in confidence winning two 1 point games.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I've never heard of a fish that liked fishing! LOL
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Errors play their part but when your side lets in 40 points that a very poor defensive effort in any era of the game.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
On the bright side for the Dogs, they didn't concede 60. That was a possibility today as the Dragons punished every error and bayoneted the wounded. A long train trip back home from Kogarah this evening. Dear oh dear. It's been hard to watch the Dogs play for a few years now. Fair dinkum, their supporters should feature in the Australia Day Honours List.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The Dogs defence didn’t let them down it was errors. The Dragons score most of their tries in broken play directly off the back of Dogs errors. They weren’t having defensive lapses that were letting the Dragons through.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The Dogs were flat but I don’t think the scoreboard reflected the contest. In my tips during the week I wrote that the Dogs might struggle this week after last week’s effort against the Storm. That will happen with a young inexperienced team. The Dogs robbed themselves of any opportunity with way too many mistakes. The Dragons scored off every error. The measure will be how they bounce back next week...
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 NRL season. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. Right now, it's time to switch over and join Alan Nicolea for the Raiders and Eels. Following that match, be sure to keep an eye out for my Round 5 talking points. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Fish
Guest
Great game Ben Hunt. Brisbane could do with a Ben Hunt????????????
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Chris - tough afternoon for Bulldogs fans mate. Thanks for tuning in.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Well, Cowboys fans are celebrating at least. The Dogs just took their place at the bottom of the ladder. I hate to rub salt into the wounds of Dogs fans but that was a piss poor defensive effort.
79
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The St George Illawarra Dragons have won their third match on the hop, beating the Canterbury Bulldogs by 36 points in an absolute drubbing at Kogarah. In truth, the scoreboard probably didn't tell the whole story of the game, but the Red V were undoubtedly the better outfit throughout the contest from almost start to finish. Dragons 40 Bulldogs 4