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Match Preview

Dragons v Warriors: Bird out, Lomax to centre; Tevaga, CHT out

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The Dragons sit just one point behind the Warriors on the ladder and on the evidence of their win over Wests Tigers will rate themselves a big chance of springing an upset on home soil.

With Zac Lomax in rare form and Jaydn Su'A running amok on the left edge, the Red V proved too classy for Benji's boys to improve their record to three wins and three losses.

That's exactly where the Warriors would have found themselves had they not managed to fight back from 22-14 down with two minutes to go against Many to force golden point and come away with a draw, snaring a single competition point which could come in very handy down the track.

After matching motors with 311-gamer Daly Cherry-Evans in Round 6, Warriors maestro Shaun Johnson now comes up against Ben Hunt, a man with 318 games to his name and the smarts to drive the Dragons back into the finals in 2024.

The battle of the playmakers looms as one of many highlights in a clash that is sure to have WIN Stadium packed to the rafters as the Dragons look to make it two from two in Wollongong after upsetting the Sea Eagles 20-12 in Round 4.

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Team News

Dragons: A late switch an hour before kick-off with new recruit Fa’amanu Brown set to make his Dragons debut after being named as a late inclusion for Friday's clash with the Warriors. The hooker will replace Michael Molo who drops to 18th man. Jack Bird's absence sees Zac Lomax move to the centres, though he is expected to return to the wing once Bird is available for selection again.

Warriors: Paul Roache has been added to the bench an hour before kick-off following a midweek injury to Chanel Harris-Tavita. Roache will provide cover at hooker and in the halves. Centre Ali Leiataua drops out of the squad with prop Zyon Maiu’u the 18th man. Adam Pompey is the other new face on the bench, moving from 18th man last week to cover for Jazz Tevaga (hamstring).

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze   Nicoll-Klokstad
  • Winger for Dragons is number 2 Christian Tuipulotu
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
  • Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
  • Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 
  • Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
  • Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
  • Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

  • Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake 
  • Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Prop for Dragons is number 10 Hame Sele
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Raymond Faitala-Mariner
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
  • 2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'a
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
  • Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Interchange

  • Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Jack De Belin
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Jacob Laban
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Ben Murdoch-Masila
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Adam Pompey
  • Interchange for Dragons is number 22 Fa'amanu Brown
    Interchange for Warriors is number 23 Paul Roache

Reserves

  • Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Michael Molo
    Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Zyon Maiu'u

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Dragons have not won in consecutive weeks since 2022.
  • The Warriors have won their last two games at WIN Stadium.
  • Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored eight tries in nine games at WIN Stadium.
  • Warriors prop Mitch Barnett will play his 150th NRL game.
  • Dragons winger Zac Lomax will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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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.