St. George Illawarra Dragons
46
Match Complete
Gold Coast Titans
26
| Z. Lomax |  | 78 | ||
| J. Bird |  | 78 | ||
| T. Moga | | 69 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 66 | ||
| T. Moga | | 65 | ||
| 62 | | T. Boyd | ||
| 60 | | J. Fifita | ||
| T. Amone | | 56 | ||
| 50 | | T. Boyd | ||
| 49 | | B. Fermor | ||
| J. Bird | | 41 | ||
| 40 |  | T. Boyd | ||
| 34 | | T. Boyd | ||
| 33 | | D. Fifita | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 30 | ||
| J. Sullivan | | 28 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 24 | ||
| M. Feagai | | 23 | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 18 | ||
| T. Moga | | 16 | ||
| 10 | | T. Boyd | ||
| 9 | | A. Brimson | ||
| T. Amone | | 4 |
| 9 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The NRL’s round 23 continues this afternoon, as the St George Illawarra Dragons host the Gold Coast Titans in Wollongong. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm AEST.
Many folks would look at this afternoon’s game and conclude that there’s nothing to play for, and with good reason. By the time kick-off rolls around on Sunday afternoon, the Dragons’ finals hopes will be mathematically and mercifully over if, as expected, the Roosters beat the Tigers on Saturday evening.
There isn’t much intrigue in terms of World Cup selections. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Ben Hunt are virtual locks for the Kangaroos, while there’s little doubt about those eligible for tier 2 nations. Erin Clark might be a chance of travelling with New Zealand – that’s something for him to play for.
The Titans as a collective aren’t going anywhere, though, with the possible exception of down. After a big win over Manly last weekend, they’re ahead of the last-placed Wests Tigers on points differential and a good chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.
There – that’s something for them to play for. The Titans have a decent chance of holding off the Tigers, with two winnable games to come: at home to Knights in round 24 before a trip to New Zealand to finish the season. The Tigers have the Dragons and Raiders, both at home.
One win could well be enough for the Titans to make sure they don’t slip below 15th. It really has been a depressing season for the Gold Coast faithful.
In team news, the Dragons have named an unchanged side after defeat to the Raiders on Sunday. Aaron Woods will make his 17th appearance of the season, with 18 reportedly triggering a player option for 2022.
The Titans welcome back Fa’asuamaleaui from family duty with Jarrod Wallace dropping out of the squad. Klese Haas, brother of Payne, is among the reserves.
Prediction
While the Dragons showed some flashes of attacking intent last weekend, it was out of necessity and still wasn’t enough anyway. They looked bereft at full-time.
The Titans put on a show against Manly, with AJ Brimson in spectacular form and even David Fifita showing signs of life. They’ve also got something, however insignificant, to play for and will win this.
Titans by 10.
Game information
Kick-off: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: WIN Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Dragons $1.55; Titans $2.45 – odds via PlayUp
St George Illawarra
1. Cody Ramsey 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Mbye 4. Zac Lomax 5. Tautau Moga 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Josh McGuire 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack Bird
Interchange: 14. Tyrell Fuimaono 15. Aaron Woods 16. Michael Molo 17. Billy Burns
Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Jojo Fifita 3. Phillip Sami 4. Brian Kelly 5. Patrick Herbert 6. AJ Brimson 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Jaimin Jolliffe 9. Erin Clark 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Beau Fermor 13. Isaac Liu
Interchange: 14. Greg Marzhew 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Sam McIntyre
Tony
Roar Guru
Concrete between the ears
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Andrew please, don’t get me started.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I have to help them finish higher than the Sea Eagles. It's what all NRL fans want
Redcap
Roar Guru
Much as I'd love to see him, I can't really fault Ramsey at the moment. Another good game today, including in defence. He and Bird have a nice little combo going. They created a beautiful try for Feagai in the first half.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Got home with 10 mins to go. Reading your blogs, still no Sloan I see.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I gather you’re not a fan HY. :laughing:
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Just look at the improvement in Amone throughout the season, Sloan and Sullivan could be ready for NRL next year. Though Sullivan looks a first grader already, I'd like to see him at dummy half til Hunt retires
Redcap
Roar Guru
Have we converted you to the Dragons cause, Zezers?
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Was borderline, the type of tackle a Rooster/Storm/Souths/Panthers player would get penalised and fined, Dragon/Warrior/Titan/Tiger/Knight etc. sent
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Personally I like to see the famous Dragons grab a win, but Titans, seriously, fumigate your Board.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Angry little Titan aren't you! I've seen far worse from NAS and JWH result in a penalty at worse, which is more my point rather than the incident itself
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
He’s a bum.
Redcap
Roar Guru
I couldn't believe what I was seeing, Andrew. Amone's coming along nicely - he really stepped-up this arvo.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Griffin won't change, he's set like concrete in his ways.
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
I don’t like to wish any player an injury, but I hope McCullough and Mbye are at least 2week injuries, and I think Molo might be forced to rest for the rest of the season, so maybe Hook may be forced to throw a couple of the youngsters into the deep end. It’s a shame it’s taken this long
Redcap
Roar Guru
I don't wish Wests any ill, but I wouldn't mind them taking him off our hands.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Hi Arnab, Amone's becoming more and more prominent every week and he's taken plenty of pressure of Hunt in this game. Good signs. Some very nice touches by Bird - he and Ramsey have combined nicely a few times. I've seen worse high tackles, but it was a bad one and deserved the red card, so to speak.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining the blog this afternoon. Stick with the Roar for coverage of Newcastle vs Canberra with David Holden. Have a great week. Bye for now.
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
Haha, maybe he can slip walking up the tunnel and do a groin, anything just to get him rested for a couple of weeks
Redcap
Roar Guru
FT’ The 12-man Dragons have run away to beat the Gold Coast Titans in a game that defied belief at times. The Dragons led 30-26 when Francis Molo received his marching orders, but played some sparkling football a man short, while the Titans imploded with the two points seemingly within reach. __ Ben Hunt was superb, as per usual. Talatau Amone took on more responsibility today and played very well again. Jack Bird had probably his best game in a Dragons jersey. Moga and Feagai did their job as finishers. __ The Gold Coast were awful for the most part. Campbell showed his elusive qualities on a number of occasions and Greg Marzhew was almost impossible to tackle when he carried the ball, but their teammates were full of errors again. Tino tried hard, nearly scored a great try and produced some good defensive efforts. __ St. George Illawarra…46 Gold Coast……………..26