Dragons v Bulldogs set for Kogarah clash

St George Illawarra Dragons Winger Colin Best and forwards Danny Wicks and Luke Bailey will return from injury for this Friday night's clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs.

The match is scheduled for a 7:30pm kick off under lights at Kogarah's newly refurbished OKI Jubilee Stadium. It is the first clash between the two clubs at Kogarah since 1999 when the Bulldogs won by 24-18. In 1998, the Dragons and the Bulldogs played in a controversial semi-final when referee Steven Clark made numerous contentious decisions in the Bulldogs' 20-12 defeat of St George.

By coincidence, Steven Clark is also the referee for this Friday night's encounter.

Sitting in outright second position on the NRL ladder, the Dragons have won their last seven encounters, defeating the Rabbitohs 38-28 last Sunday. The fourth-placed Bulldogs are coming off a nailbiting 22-18 win in extra time over the Warriors.

The Dragons will have a number of players unavailable including Dean Young (ankle), Ashton Sims (Wrist), Wes Naiqama (Ankle), Shaun Timmins (Quad) and Trent Barrett (Suspension).

Meanwhile the Bulldogs have named Brent Sherwin at halfback despite a foot injury that kept him out last weekend. In form backrower Sonny Bill Williams has been named on the bench while rookie Jarrad Hickey returns from suspension.

NRL Teams
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs
7.30pm Friday 14 July - Oki Jubilee Stadium

Dragons
1. Ben HORNBY (c)
2. Colin BEST
3. Daryl MILLARD
4. Matt COOPER
5. Brett MORRIS
6. Mark GASNIER
7. Mathew HEAD
8. Luke BAILEY
9. Aaron GORRELL
10. Justin POORE
11. Sam ISEMONGER
12. Ben CREAGH
13. Matt BICKERSTAFF

14. Michael HENDERSON
15. Jason RYLES
16. Danny WICKS
17. Corey PAYNE
Coach: Nathan Brown

Bulldogs
1. Luke Patten
2. Hazem El Masri
3. Andrew Emelio
4. Willie Tonga
5. Cameron Phelps
6. Daniel Holdsworth
7. Brent Sherwin
8. Mark O'Meley
9. Tony Grimaldi
10. Roy Asotasi
11. Willie Mason
12. Andrew Ryan (c)
13. Reni Maitua

14. Sonny Bill Williams
15. Corey Hughes
16. Nate Myles
17. Jarrad Hickey
Coach: Steve Folkes

With a rivalry that goes back for generations, Dragons v Bulldogs clashes at Kogarah have always come with the expectation of providing an entertaining spectacle.

In 34 matches at Kogarah, the Bulldogs have lost 21 matches, won 12 and drawn 1.

1999 Bulldogs 24 d Saints 18
1998 Bulldogs 20 d St George 12 (minor preliminary semi)
1998 Bulldogs 28 d St.George 16
1995 St George 22 d Bulldogs 18
1992 St George 16 d Canterbury 6
1990 St George 9 d Canterbury 8
1989 St George 34 d Canterbury 2
1983 Canterbury 9 d St.George 2
1982 Saints 10 drew with Canterbury 10
1981 St George 18 d Canterbury12
1980 Canterbury 15 d St.George 7
1979 Saints 20 d Canterbury 12
1978 Canterbury 19 d Saints 15
1977 Canterbury 17 d St.George 7
1976 Canterbury 10 d St.George 8
1975 Canterbury 3 d St.George 2
1974 St George 16 d Canterbury 5
1972 Canterbury 18 d Saints 14
1971 Canterbury 16 d Saints 11
1965 St George 46 d Canterbury 2
1964 Saints 23 d Canterbury 16
1963 Saints 54 d Canterbury 5
1962 St George 28 d Canterbury 7
1961 St George 27 d Canterbury 8
1960 St George 38 d Canterbury 5
1959 Saints 63 d Canterbury 12
1958 Saints 22 d Canterbury 11
1957 Saints 45 d Canterbury 8
1956 Saints 40 d Canterbury 14
1955 St George 24 d Canterbury 6
1954 Saints 41 d Canterbury 14
1953 Canterbury 17 d St.George 9
1952 Saints 28 d Canterbury 11
1951 St George 47 d Canterbury 4
Source: R2K

The St George Illawarra Club advises that limited reserve seating and general admission tickets are still available and fans are encouraged to prepurchase tickets.