Match Preview: Dragons v Sea Eagles

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 20 Apr 2019, 06:39 PM

After two golden-point wins the Dragons let loose against the Bulldogs last weekend registering their highest score for 2019 with a 40-4 win.

The convincing seven tries to one victory also pushed the Dragons back into the top-eight leapfrogging the Warriors and Sharks to get there.

Full of confidence and flair they now they face another NRL club enjoying three wins on the trot in the Manly Sea Eagles.

And one of the hardest workers in Des Hasler's team is lock Jake Trbojevic, who celebrates his 100th NRL game. If Manly could turn on the fireworks for Daly Cherry-Evans in his 200th last weeked, Trbojevic would be hopeful of a similar favour.

Round 6 - Round 6 - Saturday 20 Apr

Full Time

Dragons

Sea Eagles

Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Highlights Latest

The Rundown

Team news

Dragons: 1-17. Paul Vaughan will play despite leaving the field with an ankle injury last week. The Dragons have scored 119 points in three successive wins against the Sea Eagles.

Sea Eagles: Toafaoa Sipley (No.17) has been named to replace the suspended Addin Fonua-Blake, who was found guilty of a dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday. Morgan Boyle joins the interchange. Des Hasler has a 6-1 record against Dragons rival Paul McGregor. Sea Eagles lock Jake Trbojevic will play his 100th NRL game.

Round 6 - Round 6 - Saturday 20 Apr

Full Time

Dragons

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Matthew Dufty

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Brendan Elliot
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Jordan Pereira

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jorge Taufua
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Euan Aitken

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Mosese Suli
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tim Lafai

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Brad Parker
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Corey Norman

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Kane Elgey
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 James Graham

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Martin Taupau
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Cameron McInnes

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Paul Vaughan

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa Sipley
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Joel Thompson
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Tariq Sims

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Curtis Sironen
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Blake Lawrie

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake Trbojevic

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jeremy Latimore

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Manase Fainu
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Zac Lomax

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Jack Gosiewski
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jacob Host

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Corey Waddell
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 20 Morgan Boyle

Match Officials

Referee: Dave Munro
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Nick Beashel
Senior Review Official: Steve Chiddy

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:27:34 PM

Key match-up

Ben Hunt is unlikely to regain the Queensland halfback jersey this year but his two line-break assists, three try assists and scoring two four-pointers himself against the Bulldogs, makes his duel with incumbent Maroons No.7 Cherry-Evans one to savour. The Manly skipper ran 145 metres as he terrorised the Knights defensive line with a line break and three tackle busts.

For the Dragons to win

Pull together the same team effort at Kogarah last week and let it loose in Wollongong this week, when the home crowd again has your back. With the glue in the Hunt-Norman partnership starting to set firm and hard, the Sea Eagles forwards will have their heads spinning trying to keep up with which way the pair will run, pass or kick.

For the Sea Eagles to win

Five-eighth Kane Elgey reproducing the form he showed against the Knights in both attack and defence only frees up Cherry-Evans to do more knowing that his five-eighth is linking nicely with the Sea Eagles backs. And Tom Trbojevic stand-in Brendan Elliott held his own in kick-return metres and under the high ball. His confidence grows as he works well with his other back-three members - wingers Jorge Taufua and Reuben Garrick.

Brett Kimmorley says

Dessie has the Brookvale faithful back on board. The big pack of forwards are ripping in and playing tough. They are finding different ways of spoiling the opposition attack and coming up with victories. For the Dragons, Paul Vaughan was in superb form last weekend. If Ben Hunt can repeat his performance of last weekend that will also be a huge help. Dragons by 8

Dragons Stat Attack

The Dragons lead the NRL in kick metres (3,273) and are second in total kicks (115) to Melbourne (116). They are fourth in tackles breaks (180) and fifth in line breaks (21).

Sea Eagles Stat Attack

Daly Cherry-Evans is the NRL's top point-scorer after five rounds (45). Jake Trbojevic led by example as usual last week with a team-high 45 tackles against Newcastle and 132 run metres.

And another thing ...

The work being done by starting No.9 Api Koroisau and his bench replacement Manase Fainu must be pleasing coach Des Hasler. The pair of hookers are nimble and energetic as they manoeuvre around tired forwards in the defensive line. Koroisau made a line break against the Knights, while Fainu had four tackle breaks against the Rabbitohs the previous week.