St. George Illawarra Dragons
16
Match Complete
Penrith Panthers
34
| T. Amone |  | 76 | ||
| 70 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| 68 | | P. Momirovski | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 62 | ||
| J. Bird | | 62 | ||
| 55 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 53 | | M. Burton | ||
| 52 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 51 | | D. Edwards | ||
| 32 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 31 | | D. Edwards | ||
| 24 | | B. Naden | ||
| Z. Lomax | | 21 | ||
| M. Ravalawa | | 20 | ||
| 14 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 13 | | B. Naden |
| 3 | Tries | 6 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The St George Illawarra Dragons’ season hangs in the balance as they prepare to take on the mighty Penrith Panthers needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive. Tune in to this crunch match at Suncorp Stadium with live scores on The Roar from 6pm (AEST).
Four consecutive losses have seen the Dragons tumble back out of the eight, and they’re fast running out of time to creep back in. Just four home-and-away rounds remain for the Red V, including upcoming matches against the Roosters and Rabbitohs, and defeat tonight could leave them as many as two wins off the pace.
Making things even harder for Anthony Griffin is the unavailability of star second-rower Tariq Sims, who has been suspended for a high tackle in last week’s loss to the Raiders. In better news, the fallout over Paul Vaughan’s infamous party has finally run its course, with all involved players having served their bans. Gerard Beale comes into the centres to replace the concussed Cody Ramsey.
After being smashed by the Storm, the Panthers got back on the horse with a gritty 20-14 win over the Roosters. While still far from their blistering best with a number of key cogs missing, Ivan Cleary’s men showed they’re still clearly one of the NRL’s premier teams, and well and truly in the premiership hunt.
Their lofty ladder position means Cleary can somewhat afford to be cautious with Nathan Cleary’s return from a shoulder injury, who has once again been named among the reserves. Api Koroisau and Kurt Capewell will both miss through suspension, however; opening the door for Tevita Pangai Jr to make his Panthers debut should he deem himself available.
Game information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TV: Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Dragons $7, Panthers $1.10 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
St George Illawarra Dragons
1. Jack Bird, 2. Mat Feagai, 3. Gerard Beale, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Andrew McCullough (c), 10. Josh McGuire, 11. Billy Burns, 12. Tyrell Fuimaono, 13. Jack de Belin
Bench/Reserves: 14. Talatau Amone, 15. Jackson Ford, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Kaide Ellis | 18. Matt Dufty, 19. Poasa Faamausili, 20. Jayden Sullivan, 21. Jaiyden Hunt
Penrith Panthers
1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Paul Momirovski, 5. Brent Naden, 6. Matt Burton, 7. Jarome Luai, 8. Moses Leota, 9. Api Koroisau, 10. Matt Eisenhuth, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (c)
Bench/Reserves: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. J’maine Hopgood, 17. Izack Tago | 18. Tevita Pangai Jr, 19. Jaeman Salmon, 20. Taylan May, 21. Nathan Cleary
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Lucky.. I wouldn't have been walking for a week if they put on 50...
Joey
Guest
To’o, Fisher Harris, and Koroisau to come back. That’s virtually last year’s GF team. Storm without Smith, Hughes in massive doubt, and Papenhuyzen playing a bit tackle-shy. Have you been in isolation and missed all this ? (Apologies if you have)
Joey
Guest
Panthers I would say, happy to play the part of cat, and Rabbitohs traditional fleeing vermon, will likely play the mouse.
Onya.
Guest
As 3 of them are most likely back next week , does it matter? A couple of late tries to St.George. Otherwise a pretty easy win .
Mon
Guest
100% a shoulder charge! I can’t believe people would even attempt to defend him. Textbook chargeable offence right there.
Tony
Roar Guru
I've been trying to come up with one for the last 10 hours. No!
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Hard to know if they have the steel with Korasaiu, Capewell, To'o and Fisher Harris missing. They will be better when Cleary has played more than one game in two months.
Onya.
Guest
He may jump ship for the money? If he did? It wouldn’t be to St.George. As he’s been coached by Griffin at Penrith. I’m sure he doesn’t wish to see anymore 10 word game plans.
Short Memory
Guest
Side on. Arm tucked. No attempt to wrap arms. Contact with shoulder. Shoulder charge. Or perhaps we're living in parallel universes....
Short Memory
Guest
But he's such good value because he says everything twice. Says everything twice.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Jnr Amone looks to be a great prospect and the 19 yr old really showed Corey Norman how it works. Is there a lazier, more disinterested and unimaginative play-maker in the comp?
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Phil is there a BBQ's Galore up in Brissie they can visit and do some training?
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
I didn't say he is unpopular though that said there are more than a few who won't be disappointed to see him go.
Full credit to the boys
Guest
Ennis is truly horrible. I watch the game with the volume at 0 or turn over to 9 if they are carrying the game. If diarrhea could talk I’d listen to it before Ennis.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Are you amongst the inner sanctum at Saints to know that about Dufty?
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Next week Penrith v South's bit of cat and mouse as they will probably play each other 1st week of finals .
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Coach bought and is still buying B grade ex Broncos, you get what you pay for.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Amone was standout he really had a dig unlucky not to score again at the end. Norman, Beale & Clune have to go. Start Amone & Sullivan in the halves play Sloan at fullback & replace Beale with Bird at centre. But I’m sure Griffin won’t do any of this. I’m completely done with Griffin he’s a fraud & he’s been exposed as a fraud.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Just 3 to go.....
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
No disrespect to the Dragons fans is intended, but the Panthers should really have put on 50 tonight. Bit of a worry for them. Do they have the Steel to be commanding at the pointy end ?