The Dragons will be looking to respond immediately when they host the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon.
Both teams are reeling from last weekend’s defeats and are fighting to maintain their chances of a top eight finish with just four rounds remaining.
It will be St George Illawarra’s first game at WIN Stadium since losing to the Panthers in front of a sell-out crowd in Round 21 and they will be hoping to have a full crowd again this weekend.
The Dragons lost to the Bulldogs last Saturday to drop to ninth place in the standings and will be looking to bounce back on Sunday afternoon.
The Titans suffered a heavy 44-0 loss to the Sharks, which threatens to ruin their late push to the finals.
Des Hasler’s side had won five of their last six games before the Cronulla game, breathing new life into their NRL campaign, but they now sit four points adrift of the eighth-place finish and need a win against a team above them in the rankings to close the gap.
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Team News
Dragons: A host of changes for Shane Flanagan: Jack Bird returns to the side for his first game since round 19, while backrow forward Toby Couchman returns from suspension and Mat Feagai comes in at centre for Moses Suli (knee). Lyhkan King-Togia has been named to make his NRL debut as a substitute after Kyle Flanagan was unsuccessful in his visit to justice on Tuesday night. Jack Bird moves into the starting line-up as link-up. Prop Hame Sele, who was hospitalised with chest pains and shortness of breath during the Bulldogs game, has been replaced in the starting line-up by Francis Molo. Blake Lawrie starts an hour before kick-off, with Jack de Belin reinstated as a substitute in the final teamsheet. Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner is the reserve.
Titans: Centre Brian Kelly returns after missing the Broncos game through illness, so AJ Brimson is back on the bench and Tony Francis is ruled out. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika’s one-match suspension brings Erin Clark into the starting lineup and Keenan Palasia back to the bench after dropping to 18th in a late reshuffle last week. Beau Fermor is not in the squad and will need time to regain fitness following the kidney bruise he sustained in round 22. An hour before kick-off, the team will play with Tanah Boyd as a substitute, as per the program.
