Canterbury Bulldogs vs St. George Illawarra Dragons Preview & Prediction | NRL 2024 | Regular Season
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Canterbury Bulldogs and St. George Illawarra Dragons both have aspirations of making the finals this season but it is these types of matches they cannot afford to lose if they are to make the top eight.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Thursday 23rd May, 2024 - 10:50 / AUS - 19:50 / US EST - 05:50 / US PST - 02:50
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will not be broadcast live in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Fox League and Nine in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the UK / This match will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and 9Now in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS FORM: DOGGIES NEED TO FIND CONSISTENCY AS THEY AIM TO AVOID THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS
The Bulldogs went down to a second successive defeat last week as they were unable to capitalise on the ill-discipline of Canberra Raiders. It was a frustrating result for the Doggies and they will be desperate to get back on track on home soil where they boast a 100% record this season.
LAST FIVE: LWWLL
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS FORM: DRAGONS CLAIMED MUCH-NEEDED WIN LAST TIME OUT AND ARRIVE HERE OFF THEIR BYE WEEK
After losing their prior two matches, it was important for St. George to make a return to winning ways as they toppled South Sydney Rabbitohs last time out. They will be on a high after that success and come into this refreshed having sat out last week’s Magic Round.
LAST FIVE: WWLLW
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS TEAM NEWS: SALMON RETURNS AFTER BEING HOSPITALISED WITH INFECTION
Very few changes for the Bulldogs with Jaeman Salmon returning to the side after he suffered with a staph infection last week. He comes straight back into the run-on side at the expense of Josh Curran who drops to the bench while Poasa Faamausili is the man to drop out of the 17.
Starting 13: 1. Connor Tracey 2. Jacob Kiraz 3. Bronson Xerri 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Matt Burton 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Max King 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Samuel Hughes 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Jaeman Salmon 13. Kurt Mann Bench: 14. Bailey Hayward 15. Josh Curran 16. Kurtis Morrin 17. Jacob Preston Reserves: 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. Blake Taaffe 21. Jake Turpin 22. Blake Wilson 23. Toby Sexton
ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS TEAM NEWS: SOLITARY CHANGE TO 17 WITH LEILUA BACK FROM INJURY
It is little surprise that the Dragons have not made many changes here with just a solitary alteration to the side that defeated the Bunnies. Luciano Leilua returns from injury at the expense of Ben Murdoch-Masila with Shane Flanagan sticking with the same 17 aside from that.
Starting 13: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 11. Tom Eisenhuth 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin Bench: 14. Fa'amanu Brown 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Luciano Leilua Reserves: 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila 19. Mathew Feagai 20. Alec Tuitavake 21. Toby Couchman 22. Jesse Marschke
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS VS ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS PREDICTION
Canterbury Bulldogs and St. George Illawarra Dragons will both have aspirations of winning this contest and it could well be an important result for the pair. A spot in the top eight is not out of the question for either side come the end of the season but it is matches like this they will need to win if they are to achieve that feat. This could go either way with both teams capable of winning on their day but the Doggies have been strong on home soil this season so they are given the nod.
CANTERBURY BULLDOGS VS ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS TIP: CANTERBURY BULLDOGS TO WIN
