Round 13 of the NRL Chairmanship kicks off tonight when the dolphins assume the St. George Illawarra Dragons at the Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe. Join The roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
The origin is here, so it’s the time of year when club depth is tested. Two premiership points still means two premiership points at any point in the season. However, it is the time of Origin where some teams will consolidate their top 8 hopes while others begin their descent.
It’s not often that Wayne Bennett’s flanks look flat, but the Dolphins were flat against the Storm last Saturday night. The 24-16 doesn’t reflect a hammering, but the Storm led 24-4 with 15 minutes to go and was in control as well.
The Dolphins have built their game around a group of very experienced forwards. On top of that, they have an exciting back line, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tesi Niu as headliners. However, origin selections and suspensions will have an impact tonight.
In team changes, Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert are absent due to Origin service, while Felise Kaufusi is suspended. Ray Stone and Herman Ese’ese move into the starting eleven, with Mark Nicholls, returning from injury, and Mason Teague, the new forwards on the bench. At the back, Kodi Nikorima switches to fullback, Anthony Milford has been named at fifth eighth and Valynce Te Whare gets a place in the trade.
Sharks fans generally don’t like Dragons. However, it was hard not to get caught up in the hysteria after St George Illawarra’s last minute 24-22 win over the Roosters. Interim coach Ryan Carr was over the moon and so was his playing group.
Despite popular opinion, the Dragons don’t have a bad roster on paper. However, team culture and cohesion are sometimes under scrutiny. There are many problems to solve in Dragons, but winning makes everything easier.
Jaydn Su’A is out with a hamstring issue with Jack Bird, returning from a sore knee, a straight trade. Jayden Sullivan enters for Ben Hunt bound for Origin. Michael Molo comes on for the injured Blake Lawrie and Moses Mbye takes a place on the bench.
Prediction
Both teams are missing key players, but the loss of Ben Hunt to Queensland is a blow for St George Illawarra.
Your squad will be eager to prove they can win without Hunt, but until they do, I can’t pick them. Dolphins for 8
Game information
Event: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe
Kick off: 7:50 p.m. (EST)
TELEVISION: Nine, Fox Sports
Transmission: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odd: Dolphins $1.53 Dragons $2.50 – odds via PlayUp
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
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