Dragons v Storm: Klemmer steps up; Wishart takes reins
Despite being in the contest in their past two matches, the Dragons are still searching for their first win of the season and have another challenge on their hands when they host the undefeated Storm.
Coming off a Round 3 bye, St George Illawarra have had plenty of time to stew on their Round 2 loss to the Rabbitohs, where they let the game slip late after one stage leading 24-12 to lose 25-24.
Melbourne come into this match with an opening round win over the Eels, a week off for a bye and hard-fought win last week against the Panthers and will be looking for an improved performance after struggling to overcome the under-strength defending premiers.
The Storm started strongly against a side missing key personnel including Dylan Edwards, but when chief player Nathan Cleary was ruled out in the eighth minute with concussion, the absence seemed to affect them more than it did the Panthers who rallied to take the game to their hosts who were able to hold on for a narrow 30-24 win.
However, this week, it is the Storm who will be missing their star halfback, with Jahrome Hughes suffering a broken hand against the Panthers. Big man Nelson Asofa-Solomona will also miss the match after failing a HIA following the game, placing him in the NRL's concussion protocol.
The visitors also look set to also being without outside backs Nick Meaney (jaw) and Grant Anderson (leg) who suffered injuries in the win over the Panthers.
Match: Dragons v Storm
Round 4 -
home Team
Dragons
13th Position
away Team
Storm
1st Position
Venue: Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Dragons: Toby Couchman moves into the starting side and former Blues and Kangaroos prop David Klemmer makes his club debut off the bench. Young back-rower Dylan Egan also joins the interchange for his NRL debut. Blake Lawrie and Raymond Faitala-Mariner drop to the reserves. Centre Moses Suli has been named to play despite suffering a rib injury in Round 2 against Souths.
Storm: The versatile Tyran Wishart takes over at halfback from Jahrome Hughes (hand) while Grant Anderson moves to centre to replace Nick Meaney (jaw). Will Warbrick returns from concussion on the wing. Changes on the bench with Lazarus Vaalepu coming in for Nelson Asofa-Solomona (concussion protocol) and Bronson Garlick coming in as the No.14 with Wishart in the starting side.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Storm is number 1 Ryan Papenhuyzen
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Tyrell SloanWinger for Storm is number 2 Will Warbrick
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses SuliCentre for Storm is number 3 Jack Howarth
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine HolmesCentre for Storm is number 4 Grant Anderson
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Christian TuipulotuWinger for Storm is number 5 Xavier Coates
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth for Storm is number 6 Cameron Munster
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Lachlan IliasHalfback for Storm is number 7 Tyran Wishart
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Toby CouchmanProp for Storm is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Storm is number 9 Harry Grant
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Emre GulerProp for Storm is number 10 Josh King
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Storm is number 11 Shawn Blore
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Storm is number 12 Eliesa Katoa
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Storm is number 13 Trent Loiero
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob LiddleInterchange for Storm is number 14 Bronson Garlick
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 David KlemmerInterchange for Storm is number 15 Alec MacDonald
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Hamish StewartInterchange for Storm is number 16 Tui Kamikamica
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Dylan EganInterchange for Storm is number 17 Lazarus Vaalepu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Mathew FeagaiReplacement for Storm is number 18 Kane Bradley
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Raymond Faitala-MarinerReserve for Storm is number 19 Marion Seve
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Blake LawrieReserve for Storm is number 20 Keagan Russell-Smith
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Tom EisenhuthReserve for Storm is number 21 Sualauvi Faalogo
-
Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Lyhkan King-TogiaReserve for Storm is number 22 Angus Hinchey
Dragons Ins
- David Klemmer
- Dylan Egan
- Lyhkan King-Togia
- Tom Eisenhuth
Storm Ins
- Angus Hinchey
- Bronson Garlick
- Keagan Russell-Smith
- Lazarus Vaalepu
- Marion Seve
- Sualauvi Faalogo
- Will Warbrick
Dragons Outs
Storm Ins
- Jahrome Hughes
- Nelson Asofa-Solomona
- Nick Meaney
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dragons have won three of their past four games against the Storm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
- The Storm won 10 from 12 away from home in 2024 (equal best in NRL).
- Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu has scored six tries in his past four NRL games.
- Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa has scored five tries in six games against the Dragons.
- Shane Flanagan-coached teams have won five of their last seven games against the Storm.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
