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Match Preview

Dragons v Warriors: Molo to debut; Lodge departs immediately

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Timestamp

The Dragons and Warriors featured in two of the more bizarre games at Magic Round, left to rue what might have been after going under in tense finishes.

Anthony Griffin's men went toe-to-toe with the Gold Coast for 89 minutes before Jamayne Isaako's try secured a golden point victory for the Titans.

The Warriors were blown off the park in the first half but four tries in 15 minutes dragged them back within two points with two minutes to play but the Bunnies held on.

After the Dragons this week and the Knights in round 12, the Warriors face Manly, Cronulla and Penrith in consecutive weeks so it's imperative they get some confidence and momentum up ahead of that tough stretch.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Dragons v Warriors

The Rundown

Team news

Dragons: Jack Gosiewski, who was named to replace Josh McGuire (groin), is out and is instead replaced in the run-on side by Tariq Sims with Tyrell Fuimaono joining the bench. Cody Ramsey starts at fullback in place of Tyrell Sloan, while Francis Molo's younger brother Michael will make his NRL debut from the bench. Francis himself will start at prop in No.18 after the Dragons retired the No.8 jersey this week in honour of the late Johnny Raper.

Warriors: Ben Murdoch-Masila will start for Matt Lodge after the prop was granted an from the remainder of his contract. Eliesa Katoa is the new face on the bench, while Jesse Arthars is 18th man. Euan Aitken returns from concussion to start in the back row alongside captain Tohu, who made his long-awaited return last week via the bench. Jazz Tevaga will play his 100th game for the club.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Cody Ramsey
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Daejarn Asi
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin  Fonua-Blake 
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Moses Mbye
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Jazz Tevaga
  • Prop for Dragons is number 18 Francis Molo
    Prop for Warriors is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila 
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Jack Bird
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 15 Tariq Sims
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Jack Murchie
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin
    Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jayden Sullivan
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Aaron Pene
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Aaron Woods
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Michael Molo
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Freddy Lussick
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Tyrell Fuimaono
    Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Eliesa Katoa

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 23 Josh Kerr
    Replacement for Warriors is number 21 Jesse Arthars

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Key match-up

Ben Hunt v Shaun Johnson: Two of the NRL's most experienced playmakers go head-to-head in a battle of will and skill that could well determine the outcome of this one. Hunt is enjoying a fine season for the Red V with nine try assists and 27 tackle breaks, testing opposition defences with his incisive runs and vision. Johnson has copped plenty of criticism in recent weeks for taking some poor options on fifth tackle and being too lateral in attack but the 214-game veteran will have done plenty of soul searching and can be expected to hit back hard.

Stat Attack

The Warriors sit last in the NRL for offloads with 66 in their 10 games while the Dragons have produced 85 offloads, still well shy of the competition leading Raiders with 126.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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