Dylan Jhugroo previews the Round 13 match between the Dolphins and the St George Illawarra Dragons.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
The Dolphins v St George Illawarra Dragons
Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Date: Thursday May 25, 7:50pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Dolphins: 1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese’ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone 14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Valynce Te Whare 18. Poasa Faamausili 19. Kurt Donoghoe 20. Edrick Lee 21. Jeremiah Simbiken 22. JJ Collins
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Jayden Sullivan 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Michael Molo 11. Jack Bird 12. Ben Murdoch-Masila 13. Jack de Belin 14. Moses Mbye 15. Toby Couchman 16. Jaiyden Hunt 17. Josh Kerr 18. Billy Burns 19. Max Feagai 20. Zane Musgrove 21. Viliami Fifita 22. Paul Turner
Referee: Adam Gee
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
The most experienced coach in the competition takes on the least experienced coach this Thursday night, as the Dolphins take on the Dragons for this second time this season.
Last time these sides met, it was a rampant Dragons outfit who outscored their opponents by 26 to take home a commanding win in Wollongong. But the Dragons have lost 19 of their last 20 interstate games, which means this fixture in Redcliffe could tell a very different story.
The Dolphins will be without Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert through Origin duties, and Felise Kaufusi due to suspension. This sees utility Kodi Nikorima named at fullback, with Ray Stone starting at lock, and Mark Nicholls returning to the side. Notably, Wayne Bennett has named fan-favourite Valynce Te Whare on the bench, despite being a centre. This may see Euan Aitken shifted late into the backrow, or one of Jamayne Isaako or Tesi Niu shifting to fullback before kick-off.
On the other side of the field is the side sitting in last place on the ladder, but coming off an inspirational victory against the Sydney Roosters last week. Jack Bird returns to the squad, but the Dragons will be without talisman Ben Hunt through Origin duties, and without both Jaydn Su’a and Blake Lawrie through injury. The youthful combination of Tyrell Sloan, Talatau Amone, and Jayden Sullivan could prove electric for interim coach Ryan Carr, but inexperience may cost them against the resilient Dolphins.
KEY STAT: Wayne Bennett and Ryan Carr have coached a combined 902 Australian first grade games.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Dolphins 0, Dragons 1.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Dolphins by four points.
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