Round 21: Dragons v Titans preview
Cellar dwellers face off to avoid the spoon
The St George Illawarra Dragons will look to avoid the wooden spoon when they host the Gold Coast Titans at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Facing the prospect of running last for the first time since entering the premiership as a joint venture two decades ago, the Dragons will have no shortage of motivation as they look to avoid a sixth loss in succession.
Falling short of the Eels during last Sunday's 12-4 loss at Kogarah, coach Paul McGregor has responded by making further changes with debutant Jackson Ford coming into the side in place of Blake Lawrie
Debuting as a teenager four years ago, centre Euan Aitken will become the 25th player to achieve 100 appearances for the club, while veteran forward James Graham will play his 400th first grade game across combined stints in Super League and NRL.
Staring down the prospect of equalling their worst losing run, the Gold Coast Titans will be desperate to record their first win in two months.
Annihilated by the Sydney Roosters 58-6 in a complete mismatch last Sunday, coaches Craig Hodges and Luke Burt have been forced into further changes following the club's second heaviest defeat and most points conceded in a match.
Holding a competitive record against the Dragons this decade with six wins from 14 contests, the Titans boast a positive percentage at Kogarah winning three of their five visits.
In a welcome boost for the wooden spoon favourites, Jai Arrow will play his first match in two months at the expense of Jack Stockwell, while AJ Brimson and Jesse Arthars come into the backline in place of Michael Gordon and Anthony Don.
Last meeting: Round 3 2018 - Titans 8 Dragons 54
Who to watch: Set to play his 400th first grade match across two continents and three clubs, English forward James Graham will be out to commemorate his rare milestone in a manner befitting his status as a modern day great. Debuting with St Helens back in 2003 as a teenager, the 33-year-old prop has established himself as one of the finest imports ever seen in Australia after taking a leap of faith with Canterbury-Bankstown seven years ago. Providing a wealth of experience for the Red V through his wholehearted approach and refusal to accept losing, look for the occasion to bring out the best in Graham as he strives to get off the nudie run with his first try of the season on Saturday afternoon.
In a season of few highlights for the Titans, the development of Jai Whitbread has provided the club with a ray of hope for the future. Building upon his sole appearance last year by alternating between lock and as an interchange forward on 13 occasions, the 21-year-old former Brisbane NYC player has stood up with the right intentions in a side containing a number of underperforming first graders boasting considerable experience at club and representative levels. Penning an extension to secure his future on the Gold Coast until the end of 2021, look for Whitbread to give a good account of himself against the joint venture as he strives to finish the year on a positive note.
The favourite: Despite winning just two matches since ANZAC Day, the Dragons are favoured to emerge with the win in their first Saturday daytime match at Kogarah since defeating the Titans 42-16 two years ago.
My tip: While the Titans will be better following the embarrassment of last week, the improvement shown by the Dragons over the past fortnight should pay off on the scoreboard. Dragons by 12.
