Round 5: Dragons v Sharks preview
Southern Sydney rivals face off on neutral turf.
The St George Illawarra Dragons will be looking to post their first win of the season against the Cronulla Sharks on Sunday evening.
Failing to score a try for the second straight week in a dismal 22-2 loss to the Bulldogs on Queen's Birthday Monday, St George Illawarra Dragons coach Paul McGregor will be looking for a response from his players after being granted a temporary reprieve by club management.
Staring down the prospect of their worst start to a season as a joint venture, the Dragons will be hoping milestones to two of their most experienced forwards Tyson Frizell (150 games for the club) and James Graham (50 games for the club) brings about a renewed sense of confidence for the under-siege club.
Winning two of their three appearances at Campbelltown Stadium as a joint venture, coach McGregor has made minimal changes with Tyrell Fuimaono coming in for injured NSW representative Tariq Sims and Matt Dufty joining the bench as part of a backline reshuffle.
Recording their first win of the season last Saturday in Townsville, the Cronulla Sharks will be chasing three consecutive wins over their long-standing rivals for the first time in more than a decade.
Outscoring the Cowboys 26-16 in a match that threatened to be derailed due to COVID-19 protocols, Sharks coach John Morris will be looking to build on that performance with back-to-back wins at Campbelltown Stadium for only the second time in the NRL era.
Returning to the home of the Western Suburbs Magpies for the first time since their premiership-winning campaign four years ago, Chad Townsend will make a welcome return in a move that sees Matt Moylan shifted to fullback. Barnstorming prop Andrew Fifita has been named to return, while former South Sydney outside back Mawene Hiroti is in line to make his club debut on the wing.
Last meeting: Round 22 2019 - Sharks 18 Dragons 12
Who to watch: Coming under scrutiny for his performances in recent weeks, Dragons veteran James Graham have his sights set on leading the Red V out of the doldrums. Averaging 36 minutes of game time in a major reduction from the form that saw him regarded among the premier front rowers in the world, the 34-year-old Englishman produced his strongest performance of the season against his former club, running for 170 metres and chiming in with 38 tackles in a willing personal display. Set to play his 50th game for the club on Sunday evening, Graham shapes as a player with the experience and attacking skills capable of breaking the Dragons' wretched run of form in 2020.
Recapturing the form that saw him light up the Shire two years ago, Jesse Ramien will be eager to make up for lost time in the black, white and blue. Unable to replicate his best football during a difficult season with Newcastle in 2019, the 23-year-old Indigenous All Stars representative showed tremendous pace to cross for a double last Saturday in Townsville, while having a hand in a further four-pointer to repay the faith shown by John Morris in bringing him back to the club. Contracted to the club until the end of 2023, look for Ramien to take a mile if given an inch on Sunday evening as he searches for his first try against the Dragons in the top grade.
The favourite:Scoring a confidence-building victory last Saturday, the Sharks are expected to build on that performance by accounting for their lowly rivals.
My tip: It is said that once a team hits rock bottom the only way is up. The Dragons haven't reached that point yet. Sharks by 16.
