Craig Cauchi previews Friday nights match between Tigers and Dragons. This is what we have to look forward to.
Embed from Getty ImagesTEAM NEWS
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Date: 28/5, Time: 7:55pm
Tigers Team
1. Daine Laurie
2. David Nofoaluma
3. Adam Doueihi
4. Tommy Talau
5. James Roberts
6. Moses Mbye
7. Luke Brooks
8. James Tamou
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Alex Twal
11. Luke Garner
12. Luciano Leilua
13. Joe Ofahenghaue
14. Tom Amone
15. Shawn Bloore
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Thomas Mikaele
18. Michael Chee Kam
19. Jake Simpkin
20. Stefano Utoikamanu
21. Kiah Cooper
Team Changes
IN: James Roberts, Kiah Cooper, Stefano Utoikamanu, Tom Amone
OUT: Joseph Leilua
Dragons Team
1. Cody Ramsey
2. Brayden Wiliame
3. Jack Bird
4. Gerard Beale
5. Jordan Pereira
6. Corey Norman
7. Ben Hunt
8. Blake Lawrie
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Billy Burns
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jackson Ford
14. Talatau Amone
15. Poasa Faamausili
16. Daniel Alvaro
17. Jaiyden Hunt
18. Kaide Ellis
19. Adam Clune
20. Jayden Sullivan
21. Billy Brittain
Team Changes
IN: Billy Brittain, Brayden Wiliame, Gerard Beale, Jayden Sullivan, Tariq Sims
OUT: Josh Kerr, Max Feagai
Referee: Adam Gee
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tigers
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Tigers second win for the season came against the Dragons last month. Since then they have failed to back up a win with their inconsistent form plaguing any chance of gaining momentum. After an impressive win over the Knights, the Tigers failed to back it up against the Warriors, going down by 4 points in a close Friday night encounter.
The team welcomes back James Roberts from injury with Joseph Leilua removed from the team sheet.
Dragons
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Dragons are rocked again with disruptions to their line up. Josh Kerr has been suspended for one match, slightly off set by the return of Tariq Sims from his one match suspension. Three Dragons players failed to finish the match due to a HIA with two of them being named this week and needing to pass concussion protocols before being declared fit to play. Brayden Wiliame returns from injury and Gerard Beale has been named to make his return to the NRL after signing with the club last week.
The Dragons have been brave in the past two matches but ultimately have come up with loses. They have lost five out of their past six matches, undoing the foundation they built at the start of the year.
PREVIEW
Adam Doueihi had a relatively quiet match last round compared to his performance at magic round. His match up against Jack Bird will be highly anticipated with both centres key parts of their teams attack. The move out into the centres has allowed Doueihi to focus on attacking the line more with his running game while Brooks has taken control of the side. Jack Bird has been solid so far in attack and defence and if he allows Doueihi to perform the same way in their previous encounter than the Tigers will be well on their way to victory.
Last weeks preview for the Dragons game highlighted that Corey Norman needed to provide more in attack with fullback Dufty side lined with an AC injury. The Dragons number six currently has 3 try assists to his name and while he has taken on the line much more often this year he has still failed to come up with a big game sealing moment. He had a few opportunities against Sharks to seal the game. He threw a forward pass to Billy Burns as he made a break and his cut out passed to an unmarked Jordan Pereira lacked proper execution. Norman was brought to the club to seize these moments in matches and needs to stand up as the battle for a finals position intensifies.
KEY STAT
These two sides met a few Sunday’s ago with the Tigers prevailing 16-8 on the day. Adam Doueihi and Daine Laurie exposed the Dragons defence, which is one of the worst when it comes to missed tackles.
PREDICTION
Dragons by 2
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