Match Centre

Round 1: Dragons v Wests Tigers preview

Joint ventures eye better days in 2020

The St George Illawarra Dragons will be looking to turn over a new leaf in 2020 when they host the Wests Tigers on Sunday evening.

Coming off a dismal season that saw the joint venture finish in 15th position - their worst ever final standing - the St George Illawarra Dragons will be desperate to atone in an effort to silence pre-season detractors and ease the pressure on coach Paul McGregor.

Opening the season at WIN Stadium for the first time in history, the Dragons hold a positive opening round record over the past decade with six wins, along with five wins from nine meetings against the Tigers during McGregor's tenure.

Naming a new-look team featuring new recruits Issac Luke, Brayden Williame, Tyrell Fuimaono, Billy Brittain and homecoming premiership winner Trent Merrin, in-demand forward Tyson Frizell and Ben Hunt will co-captain the side in the absence of injured skipper Cameron McInnes.

Falling one match short of the play-offs in heartbreaking circumstances last year, the Wests Tigers will be hoping to end the longest current finals drought dating back to 2011.

Looking to kick off the new season with a win for the sixth consecutive year - the best opening round record of any team bar Melbourne - the Tigers will play their first match in Wollongong since 2008 on Sunday evening.

Coach Michael Maguire has handed five players their club debuts - Adam Doueihi, Joseph Leilua, Billy Walters, Luciano Leilua and Zane Musgrove - while veteran playmaker Benji Marshall will have the sole responsibility of captaining the side with Moses Mbye sidelined due to a knee injury sustained in the trials.

Sunday evening will be the fifth time the two teams have met in the opening round. The Tigers have fared well with three victories in 2003 (24-20), 2006 (24-15) and 2008 (24-16), while the Dragons claimed two premiership points most recently in 2014 (44-24).

Last meeting: Round 24 2019 - Dragons 14 Wests Tigers 42

Who to watch: Returning to the NRL following a successful three-year stint with Catalans in the English Super League, new signing Brayden Williame will be determined to repay the faith shown by his coach on Sunday evening. Starring during the pre-season to earn a starting berth ahead of established centre Euan AItken, the 27-year-old looms as one of the best value signings for the Dragons having developed considerably during his time in France and with the Fijian national team. Facing a tough first-up test opposite two-time Dally M Centre of the Year Joseph Leilua, expect Williame to get the better of many opponents this year with his classy footwork and unassuming strength close to the line.

Enduring a difficult time at the Tigers with injury, form and off-field headlines limiting him to just 12 appearances over the past two years, Josh Reynolds will be looking for a fresh start as the club's new hooker. Tasked with the responsibility of taking over from newly retired club legend Robbie Farah, the 30-year-old playmaker impressed during the pre-season with a try-scoring effort in Rotorua that changed the momentum of the match. Among the most beloved players in the game at his height, look for Reynolds to repay the faith shown by bringing his trademark energy and strong running game to the fore on Sunday evening.

The favourite: Coming into the match as slight favourites, the home ground advantage looks set to give the Dragons the edge.

My tip: Having emerged from WIN Stadium with two victories from three visits, look for the Tigers to prevail in a low-scoring contest. Wests Tigers by 4.