2021 NRL – St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Friday 13th August, 2021 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Where can I get tickets for St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Penrith Panthers? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Starting 13: Bird, Mat. Feagai, Beale, Lomax, Ravalawa, Norman, Clune, Lawrie, McCullough, McGuire, Burns, Fuimaono, de Belin – Interchanges: Amone, Ford, Kerr, Ellis – Reserves: Dufty, Faamausili, Sullivan, J. Hunt
Unavailable: Cameron McInnes (Injured), Brayden Wiliame (Injured), Ben Hunt (Injured), Cody Ramsey (Injured), Tariq Sims (Suspended)
- St. George Illawarra Dragons’ hopes of making the finals suffered another blow as they lost for the fourth game in succession with top eight rivals Canberra Raiders getting the better of them last week.
- The Dragons will be desperate to end their poor run of form here but they face an impressive Penrith Panthers outfit and they must try and cause a shock without Cody Ramsey who has suffered a season-ending facial injury along with the banned Tariq Sims.
PENRITH PANTHERS
Starting 13: Edwards, Staines, Crichton, Momirovski, Naden, Burton, Luai, Leota, Koroisau, Eisenhuth, Kikau, Martin, Yeo – Interchanges: Kenny, Sorensen, Hopgood, Tago – Reserves: Pangai Jnr., Salmon, Ta. May, Cleary
Unavailable: James Fisher-Harris (Personal Reasons), Tyrone May (Injured), Brian To’o (Injured), Kurt Capewell (Suspended), Api Koroisau (Suspended)
- Penrith Panthers produced a solid response to their defeat to Melbourne Storm by overcoming top four hopefuls Sydney Roosters in a tight contest and they will now look to make it six wins in seven as they aim to solidify second spot.
- The Panthers are also hopeful of welcoming halfback Nathan Cleary back into the mix after he was pictured at training early in the week but he will have to be promoted from the reserves and may be given another week to overcome a shoulder issue with Matt Burton impressing in the halves.
THE PREDICTION
St. George Illawarra Dragons are still in the race to make the finals
but after suffering a fourth consecutive defeat last week, they have it
all to do to climb back into the top eight. They face a tall order to
do so this week as they take on second-placed Penrith Panthers who
recorded a good win over Sydney Roosters last week and having won five
of their last six matches, it will take a hugely impressive performance
for the Dragons to cause an upset. However, that does not look likely
and if the Panthers can also get Nathan Cleary back in the side, they
should win comfortably by covering the -17.5 handicap.
