Dragons
10
Match Complete
Titans
14
| 77 |  | J. Fogarty | ||
| 76 |  | J. Fogarty | ||
| 75 | | T. Peachey | ||
| Z. Lomax |  | 71 | ||
| 50 | | P. Sami | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 48 | ||
| J. Host | | 46 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 22 |
| 1 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 16 of the NRL season continues tonight when the St George Illawarra Dragons host the Gold Coast Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary, starting from 6pm (AEST).
For the St George Illawarra Dragons, it’s a case of finals coming early. There are still five rounds left, but the Dragons are basically on sudden death from here. They certainly can’t afford to drop games against teams lower than them on the table.
The Dragons jumped their first hurdle last round when they survived a scare to beat the Brisbane Broncos. Zac Lomax’s three penalty goal conversions proved the difference in the end.
Cameron Mcinnes got through a mountain of work in defence while Ben Hunt, whether he likes it or not, seems to have found a home at hooker. Matt Dufty is one of the form players in the NRL and most of the team’s attack revolves around him.
Jackson Ford and hooker Billy Brittain replace the injured Korbin Sims and suspended Paul Vaughan and will both start from the bench. Eddie Blacker has been named in the reserves and may get a call up if Dean Young decides he wants more size on his interchange.
After an improvement over the past month, the Titans came crashing back to earth last round, suffering a 36-16 defeat to the Raiders.
However, AJ Brimson has shown his class in the past few games, after a long injury lay off. Jamal Fogarty is one of the most improved players in the game, stepping up to captain the side in Kevin Proctor’s absence.
Ash Taylor returns and Tanah Boyd drops out of the 17. Tyrone Peachey has been named at lock in place of the suspended Moeaki Fotuaika and Erin Clark gets a spot on the bench. Mitch Rein replaces the injured Nathan Peats and Beau Fermor will start in the second row with Keegan Hipgrave back to the bench. Anthony Don has not been named in the 17 but is a chance of returning.
Prediction
Justin Holbrook, recently rewarded with a long term contract extension, will be expecting a much-improved performance from his side tonight.
With their season on the line, you’d expect the Dragons to get the job done at home but I suspect it will be a lot closer than many people expect.
Dragons by 6
Game information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
TV: Fox League
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass
Teams
Dragons
1. Matt Dufty, 2. Jordan Pereira, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Ben Hunt, 10. Josh Kerr, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Jacob Host, 13. Cameron McInnes
Bench/Reserves: 14. Kaide Ellis, 15. Trent Merrin, 16. Jackson Ford, 17. Billy Brittain, 18. Eddie Blacker, 19. Tristan Sailor, 20. Jayden Sullivan, 21. Max Feagai
Titans
1. AJ Brimson, 2. Corey Thompson, 3. Brian Kelly, 4. Young Tonumaipea, 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Ashley Taylor, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Jarrod Wallace, 9. Mitch Rein, 10. Jaimin Joliffe, 11. Sam Stone, 12. Beau Fermor, 13. Tyrone Peachey
Bench/Reserves: 14. Erin Clark, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Keegan Hipgrave, 17. Jai Whitbread, 18. Tanah Boyd, 19. Anthony Don, 20. Treymain Spry, 21. Darius Farmer
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
You might be right Andrew, but surely they saw that coming? I mean, I don't know what is spoken about at the training ground or what these guys thought would be happening but even as a distant outsider, I'd have been surprised if this had been tossed out. Should have been ready for this.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Yes, Fitzgibbon would have been a good fit for Saints. Whoever coaches Saints i hope he brings his own team and not employ any of the current assistants.
Andrew
Roar Pro
I noticed Craig Fitzgibbon has come out in the media saying he won’t consider leaving Easts until the end of next season. So he can be officially ruled out
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
More proof sacking a coach mid-season solves nothing.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Sorry Andrew, i don't buy that. Saints have been dismal all year. I honestly thought Saints would win comfortably over the Titans but it was the same old same old. Except for the odd good performance, which has been a rarity over the years it was a lame performance. Honestly, a new coach is needed from 2021,and it isn't Dean Young.
Gold Coast Bunny
Roar Rookie
Just got home and saw the score. Commiserations DP. Didn’t think the Titans would get you. Still a chance if Cronulla keep getting beaten.
Dusty-d
Guest
I think he's Down on the corner, Out in the street..
JGK
Roar Guru
Bring back Mary!
Adam
Roar Guru
Does JWH have roid rage?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
serves ya right - I'll probably go the Warriors tomorrow and they'll lose - just take comfort in the fact you're not alone Scott - its the 50/50 games that will make or break you're tipping season
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
They could've kicked a field goal at 10-4 but didn't have their thinking heads on. The number of times they were repelled by the Titans strong defence showed they should've kicked more field goals. Winning by field goals hasn't been an option for the Dragons of 2020.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Nope. Just one game closer to the end of a very poor season
Andrew
Roar Pro
I think de Belin decision today put them off their game. Saints looked very flat today
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
.. he's going up around the bend ..
Andrew
Roar Pro
I wonder if the de Belin decision today kicked the boys a bit they were very flat.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog tonight. Have a good weekend all.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would have thought the Titans would be slight favourites
David Holden
Roar Guru
Depending on results this round, the Dragons may still be in touch with the 8. If they lose to the Cowboys next weekend, it definitely is season over
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Congrats Titans, but I didn't see that coming
David Holden
Roar Guru
On that form, the Titans can get a few more wins by season end. They have the Bulldogs next weekend