Round 24: Dragons v Bulldogs preview
More than two points on the line as Dragons look to honour former cult hero Lance Thompson
Thompson, who played more than 200 first grade games before retiring in 2008, passed away on Thursday night in his apartment. His death shocked the rugby league community and in particular the Red V, who he debuted for as a 17-year old in 1995.
If securing their spot in the top four wasn't enough motivation for Paul McGregor's men on Sunday afternoon, they will certainly want to lift in memory of a fallen legend.
Penrith's embarrassing 36-16 loss to the Warriors on Friday night means that Cronulla are the only genuine threats to the fourth-placed St. George Illawarra. With games against the Knights and Bulldogs to come in the next two weeks, the Sharks will rate themselves a strong chance of winning both and by sizeable margins.
Sitting 17 points ahead of the men from the Shire on points differential, the Dragons should be able to hold onto fourth position if they win both games - although running up a score against the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon would certainly improve their chances.
They'll have to do it without key duo Gareth Widdop and Paul Vaughan, who are both unavailable through injury.
However, it didn't seem to matter last weekend as the Dragons outlasted the Tigers 20-10 to secure their spot in the top eight. It was a confidence-building win for almost everyone in McGregor's side. Unfortunately, Ben Hunt struggled again and copped criticism for his efforts and desperately needs to find form before September comes along. The Dragons may have been in a slump recently, but all you need is some momentum heading into the finals to be a threat and a second-straight win on Sunday afternoon would certainly be nice.
However, they won't have it their own way as they prepare for a Bulldogs side who took down the Warriors 27-26 last week.
Given Parramatta's similar capitulation on Friday night, Canterbury will avoid the wooden spoon in 2018. But they'll still be eager to pick up the two points as they consolidate their tag as ‘perennial pests' for top eight sides. Young five-eighth Lachlan Lewis starred in the one-point victory on Sunday, scoring a try and kicking the match-winning field goal.
Canterbury have had the wood over the Dragons in recent year, having won six of their past seven against the club. And that includes their 26-20 victory last year that cost the Red V a place in the 2017 finals series. The Dragons will be determined to ensure that Canterbury don't put a serious dent in their premiership aspirations this time.
Last Meeting: Saints pipped the Bulldogs 22-20 at ANZ Stadium in Round 14 earlier this year.
Who to watch: Filling in for Vaughan at prop, Tyson Frizell provided the Dragons with some much-needed aggression up front in last week's 20-10 win over the Tigers. The NSW Blues edge forward ran for 140 metres, scored a try and made 28 tackles in a strong display and will need to lead from the front this week against one of the competition's biggest packs.
Speaking of leading from the front, Bulldogs enforcer David Klemmer did just that against the Warriors last Sunday. Klemmer ran for over 180 metres and made 36 tackles in a determined effort and will need to emulate that performance on Sunday afternoon against a Dragons pack that may have just rediscovered their mojo.
Favourite: The Dragons have too much to play for and the bookies have them installed as favourites accordingly.
Tip: Saints got their season back on track last week and should have enough points to cement their spot in the top four. Dragons by 8.
