St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Verdict
A low scoring game with under 43.5 points is predicted and it could go either way with the TriBet option value for either team by 1-12 points. Given the Dragons' upturn in form, they are worth supporting with a +6.5 start on the line too.
- Dragons have covered a +6.5 line in four of their last six games
- Dragons have seen Under 43.5 points in five of their last eight games
- Bulldogs have lost their last two games
- The last three meetings have been decided by eight points or less
- Three of the last four meetings have seen 38 points or less
- Hamish Stewart has scored three tries in his last five games & plays 80 mins most weeks in the 2nd row
Head To Head
The Bulldogs have won the last six meetings between the pair, but the most recent encounters have been close, including a 15-14 golden point triumph in Vegas back in Round 1, with Stephen Crichton kicking the match-winning field goal.
St George Illawarra Dragons Form
After starting the season with 11 consecutive defeats, the Dragons have improved considerably and one more win here could put huge pressure on the Broncos when it comes to the wooden spoon.
The effort has always been there and the Dragons are now getting rewarded for their continued hard work, coming into this clash following back-to-back victories over the Sharks and Tigers.
The 24-16 win over in-form Cronulla was their best performance of the season, while the joint-venture club held firm to topple the embattled Tigers 24-22 last week.
Tyrell Sloan made it eight tries in eight games, while Hamish Stewart continues to lay claims for a Kangaroos' World Cup spot at season's end with another impressive performance.
Canterbury Bulldogs Form
It's been a chaotic season for the Dogs - they've messed up their spine over the last 12 months and if Jacob Preston departs the club, the fans will be up in arms.
Stephen Crichton is one of the most talented footballers in the world, which is why he's impressing at five-eighth, but he's not a natural playmaker and that's been exposed over the last two weeks when Canterbury needed someone to ice the game against the Chooks and get some points on the board against Souths.
Connor Tracy's poor positioning at fullback cost Canterbury in a 20-18 loss to the Roosters, while Cameron Ciraldo's side didn't recover from the disappointment of being held-up twice in the early stages of last week's defeat to the Rabbitohs, ultimately scoring just one try in a 22-6 defeat.
That loss leaves the Bulldogs in ninth spot on the ladder and needing to win their remaining games and hope other results go their way in order to sneak into the eight.
Dragons vs Bulldogs Team News
Josh Kerr comes in for Blake Lawrie on the bench for the Dragons, with Dan Atkinson remaining at fullback for the Dragons.
The Bulldogs' Jethro Rinakama is out for the rest of the year with a knee injury, so Enari Tuala moves to the wing and Bronson Xerri gets a recall at centre. Sean O'Sullivan comes onto the interchange.