Dragons v Titans: Young guns to debut; Jorgensen on track
Both the Dragons and the Titans will enter the 2024 season full of expectation with plenty of youth in and amongst their squad helping lift standards.
A number of Steelers Tarsha Gale Cup stars featured for the successful Under 19 State of Origin team, with many including Kasey Reh and Bronte Wilson (who has been granted an age exemption) pushing to make their NRLW debuts this season with St George Illawarra under coach Jamie Soward.
However, there is still plenty of experience in the squad that will be captained by Kiwi international star Raecene McGregor, with new signing Steph Hancock also back at the club to help pass on her many years of knowledge to the up-and-comers.
The Titans had a fantastic run to the finals last year, but fell just short on grand final day when they were outdone by the Knights.
Like the Dragons, they are a side with a lot of young talent, but with many having made their NRLW debuts last year, the core group have some key experience to build on.
Injuries however have hit the Titans hard with three young stars in Destiny Mino-Sinapati, Ivana Lolesio and Chantay Kiria-Ratu suffering to season-ending knee injuries before pre-season began.
However, Rilee Jorgensen has overcome an ankle issue that kept her from representative duty with the Queensland Under 19 and has been named to come off the by coach Karyn Murphy for the opener.
Match: Dragons v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Titans
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Dragons: Coach Jamie Soward has rewarded the good form of his youngsters and handed out a number of NRL debuts, headlined by New South Wales Under 19 Origin star Kasey Reh. The young halfback was voted player of the match in the 46-4 win and has been named in the interchange bench alongside fellow young gun Bronte Wilson. One of the most capped players in the NRLW, Steph Hancock has returned to the club and has been named on the bench, while Kiwi Ferns star Raecene McGregor will captain the side as halfback.
Titans: Youngster Lily-Rose Kolc has been named to make her NRLW debut from the bench. The Tweed Seagulls hooker was elevated to the top 24 roster earlier this year. Forward Rilee Jorgensen and winger Emily Bass - who both recently missed out on Queensland representative games due to injury - have made their recoveries and have been named. Maroons hooker Lauren Brown, who starred for Queensland as they claimed the inaugural three-game State of Origin series, will line up as halfback for the opener.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan BerryFullback for Titans is number 1 Evania Pelite
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maatuleio Fotu-MoalaWinger for Titans is number 2 Karina Brown
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele BrowneCentre for Titans is number 3 Jaime Chapman
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Bobbi LawCentre for Titans is number 4 Niall Williams-Guthrie
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Margot VellaWinger for Titans is number 5 Emily Bass
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Zali HopkinsFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Titans is number 7 Lauren Brown
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Angelina Teakaraanga-KatoaProp for Titans is number 8 Shannon Mato
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Sophie ClancyHooker for Titans is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati
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Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jamilee BrightProp for Titans is number 10 Jessika Elliston
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Shenai Lendill2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Zara Canfield
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Charlotte Basham2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Shaylee Bent
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Alexis TauaneaiLock for Titans is number 13 Georgia Hale
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Kasey RehInterchange for Titans is number 14 Lily-Rose Kolc
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Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Sara SautiaInterchange for Titans is number 15 Rilee Jorgensen
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Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Bronte WilsonInterchange for Titans is number 16 Dannii Perese
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Steph HancockInterchange for Titans is number 17 Laikha Clarke
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Madison MulhallReplacement for Titans is number 18 Georgia Grey
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Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Alice GregoryReserve for Titans is number 19 Ngatokotoru Arakua
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Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Kimberley HuntReserve for Titans is number 20 Georgia Sim
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Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Tayla CurtisReserve for Titans is number 21 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
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Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Kaarla CowanReserve for Titans is number 22 Matekino Gray
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Titans finished third on the ladder in 2023, but won their finals match before going down in the grand final to Knights.
- Dragons finished seventh on the ladder in season 2023.
- Dragons back Teagan Berry was the competition's leading try scoring in 2023 with 11 from nine games.
- Lauren Brown showed how well she can kick a field goal in this year's State of Origin series, carrying through from her 2023 form where she topped the tally for successful field goals with two.
- The Dragons have won three of their four games against the Titans.
- The Titans have had a win and a loss at WIN Stadium.
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry has scored eight tries in four games against the Titans.
Additional stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
