Dolphins vs St George Illawarra Dragons Tips & Preview
Dolphins vs St George Illawarra Dragons Predictions
A sold out Kayo Stadium in Redcliff will host the first game of Origin week where we will have to adjust our betting tactics around the masses of players missing due to representative duty.
- Dolphins vs St George Illawarra Dragons Predictions
- Head to Head
- Dolphins Form
- Dolphins Team News
- Dolphins Team List
- St George Illawarra Dragons Form
- St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
- St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
First off is a big one with cellar dwellers the Dragons, missing their marquee man Ben Hunt. With an atrocious record without him in the lineup, I am predicting the Dolphins to straighten their fins after their loss to Melbourne last week and take care of St George comfortably.
Coach Wayne Bennett is keeping Jamayne Issako on the right wing for good reason this week and we will see plenty of attack running at the weaker left side defence of the Dragons.
- St George Illawarra have won just 2 of their last 10 games without Ben Hunt in the side.
- Dolphins have covered the line in each of their last 3 matches following a loss.
- Dolphins score an average of 30 points when they are the winning side.
- Dolphins have an average winning margin of 11 points.
- St George Illawarra concede 50% of their tries down the left side
Head to Head
The Dolphins succumbed to the Dragons in round 5, going down 38-12 in Wollongong after losing the battle of possession with only 44% of the ball.
The Dragons also out ran the Dolphins by almost 500 total run metres and recorded 9 linebreaks to the Dolphins' three.
Dolphins Form
The Dolphins are coming off a tough loss to Melbourne 24-16, letting the game go in the first half by allowing the Storm to score all their points before the break.
Wayne Bennett and his men were disappointed with their first half, managing under 500 run metres, 39% possession and 24% of the territory. We can definitely not expect a repeat of that performance again this week.
Kodi Nikorima has played five games at fullback in the NRL, he has won four of those matches.
Dolphins Team News
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert will miss the match due to origin duties. Kodi Nikorima will slot in at fullback and Anthony Milford will play in the halves.
Felise Kaufusi will miss the next three weeks after being suspended for a high tackle against Melbourne.
Mark Nicholls and Valynce Te Whare come into the 17 on the bench, while Ray Stone and Herman Ese'ese move into the starting side.
Dolphins Team List
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
Interchange
14. Jarrod Wallace
15. Mark Nicholls
16. Mason Teague
17. Valynce Te Whare
Reserves
18. Poasa Faamausili
19. Kurt Donoghoe
20. Edrick Lee
21. Jeremiah Simbiken
22. JJ Collins
St George Illawarra Dragons Form
The Dragons are coming off their first win in seven games, edging out the Roosters 24-22 with a Mathew Feagai try and Zac Lomax conversion with no time left on the clock.
The Dragons have not travelled well to the sunshine state losing 15 of their last 16 games in Queensland.
St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
Ben Hunt will be away on Origin duties elevating Jayden Sullivan into the no. 7 with Moses Mbye joining the bench.
Jayden Su’A and Blake Lawrie will miss the match with Francis Molo starting at prop and Jack Bird returning to the backrow.
St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Mat 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
Interchange
14. Moses Mbye
15. Toby Couchman
16. Jaiyden Hunt
