Dragons v Titans: Bird takes flight; Kelly in, Fotuaika out
The Dragons are chasing an immediate response when they host the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides are reeling after losses last weekend and fighting to keep their top-eight chances alive with just four rounds remaining.
It's St George Illawarra's first match at WIN Stadium since they fell to the Panthers in front of a sold-out crowd in Round 21 and they're hoping to pack the stands again this weekend.
The Dragons lost to the Bulldogs last Saturday to fall to ninth on the ladder and they are eager to bounce back on Sunday afternoon.
The Titans suffered a heavy 44-0 defeat to the Sharks that threatens to derail their late charge to the finals.
Des Hasler's side had won five of their last six to breathe life into their NRL campaign before the Cronulla game. Now, however, they sit four points outside the eight and need a win over a team sitting above them on the ladder to close the gap.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Dragons v Titans
Team News
Dragons: A number of changes for Shane Flanagan with Jack Bird back into the side for his first game since Round 19 while back-rower Toby Couchman returns from suspension and Mat Feagai comes into the centres for Moses Suli (knee). Lyhkan King-Togia has been named to make his NRL debut off the interchange after Kyle Flanagan was unsuccessful in his Tuesday night trip to the judiciary. Jack Bird moves into the starting side at five-eighth. Prop Hame Sele, who was taken to hospital with chest pains and shortness of breath during the Bulldogs game, has been replaced in the starting side by Francis Molo. An hour from kick-off, Blake Lawrie starts with Jack de Belin reverting to the interchange in the final team list. Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner is the replacement player.
Titans: Centre Brian Kelly returns after missing the Broncos game due to illness so AJ Brimson reverts to the bench and Tony Francis drops out. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika's one-game ban brings Erin Clark into the starting side and Keenan Palasia back onto the bench after he dropped to 18th man in a late shuffle last week. Beau Fermor is out of the squad and will take time to return from bruised kidneys suffered in Round 22. An hour from kick-off, the side will be as per program with Tanah Boyd the replacement player.
Match: Dragons v Titans
Round 24 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell SloanFullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Zac LomaxWinger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mathew FeagaiCentre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max FeagaiCentre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 17 Jack BirdFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben HuntHalfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran Foran
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis MoloProp for Titans is number 8 Jaimin Jolliffe
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
-
Prop for Dragons is number 16 Blake LawrieProp for Titans is number 10 Erin Clark
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Klese Haas
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom EisenhuthLock for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 10 Jack De BelinInterchange for Titans is number 14 AJ Brimson
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Toby CouchmanInterchange for Titans is number 15 Isaac Liu
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ryan CouchmanInterchange for Titans is number 16 Josiah Pahulu
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Lyhkan King-TogiaInterchange for Titans is number 17 Keenan Palasia
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Raymond Faitala-MarinerReplacement for Titans is number 19 Tanah Boyd
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dragons have won three of their past four games against the Titans.
- The Titans have lost five from five at WIN Stadium.
- The Dragons have won three of their past four games at WIN Stadium.
- Titans five-eighth Kieran Foran will play his 300th NRL game.
- Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored nine tries in 11 games at WIN Stadium.
Match: Dragons v Titans
Round 24 -
home Team
Dragons
8th Position
away Team
Titans
13th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
