Warriors v Dragons: Sloan wins fullback battle; Johnson's back
It has taken just one season for Dragons coach Anthony Griffin to re-shape the roster, with five new recruits in the squad to face the Warriors.
Former Kangaroos prop Aaron Woods, Queensland Origin forwards Jaydn Su'A and Francis Molo, former Maroons utility Moses Mbye and strike centre Moses Suli will all make their first premiership appearance in the Red V jersey.
However, what has Dragons fans most excited is the young talent in their backline, with fullback Tyrell Sloan and five-eighth Talatau Amone both just 19 years of age and winger Cody Ramsey and star centre Zac Lomax being 22.
For the Warriors, the match marks the return of prodigal son Shaun Johnson after a three-year stint at Cronulla and he will re-unite with Kiwis halves partner Kodi Nikorima, who was signed as his replacement.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Warriors v Dragons
The Rundown
Team news
Warriors: No changes in the updated squad released 24 hours before kick-off.
Chanel Harris-Tavita starts at fullback in the absence of Reece Walsh, who is due back in round two. Shaun Johnson is back in Warriors colours in the No.7 and he'll be partnered in the halves by Kodi Nikorima.
Teenage centre Viliami Vailea plays his third career game.
Storm recruit Aaron Pene makes his club debut as part of a strong bench which includes Jazz Tevaga, Ben Murdoch-Masila and Bayley Sironen.
Dragons: No changes in the updated squad released 24 hours before kick-off.
Coach Anthony Griffin obviously liked what he saw in the Charity Shield, naming the same starting 13 for the season opener.
Young gun Tyrell Sloan gets the nod at fullback with Cody Ramsey on the wing while another rising star, Talatau Amone, partners skipper Ben Hunt in the halves.
Aaron Woods and Blake Lawrie are the starting props with Francis Molo and Josh Kerr backing them up from the bench.
Utility Moses Mbye returns from a quad injury to take his place on the bench alongside Molo, Kerr and former Sea Eagle Jack Gosiewski.
George Burgess and Tariq Sims are the notable absentees from Griffin's first squad of 2022.
Match: Warriors v Dragons
Round 1 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Chanel Harris-TavitaFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Dragons is number 2 Cody Ramsey
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami VaileaCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Rocco BerryCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Dragons is number 8 Aaron Woods
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty AfoaProp for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jack Bird
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Eliesa Katoa2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Josh CurranLock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Moses Mbye
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Ben Murdoch-MasilaInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Francis Molo
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Aaron PeneInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Bayley SironenInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Jack Gosiewski
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Jack MurchieReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Jackson Ford
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Shaun Johnson v Ben Hunt: The battle between the star playmakers is likely to have a big bearing on the outcome of the match, with Hunt providing the experience to a young but otherwise talented Dragons backline and Johnson bringing flair to a Warriors outfit missing suspended star Reece Walsh.
Stat Attack
The omens aren't good for St George Illawarra fans, with the Dragons having lost their past nine matches in Queensland, while the Warriors are somewhat of a bogey team after winning five of the past six clashes between the two teams. In addition, the Warriors have won four of their past five opening round games, while the Dragons haven't started the season with a win since 2018.
