Round 10: Wests Tigers v Dragons preview
What a difference one win can make.
Previously the most under-pressure team in the league, the Wests Tigers are now free of that unwanted tag after pulling off a stunning 12-8 upset win over the Panthers. Luke Brooks enjoyed his best outing in recent memory, cleverly directing the Tigers around the park with a pinpoint and simplified kicking game for the wet conditions. Rookie fullback Jahream Bula also starred in the win with a try assist to put winger David Nofoaluma over in the corner while later pulling off a try-saving tackle to force an error from Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary. The win snapped a 12-game losing streak for the Tigers, although their attack still remains a concern, with Tim Sheens' side still averaging the most tackles (36) inside the opposition 20 while taking the most plays to score.
Nonetheless, the Tigers will take any win at this rate and did not make any unforced changes this week, with suspension and injury otherwise forcing a slight reshuffle. A three-match ban for Brent Naden sees Tommy Talau return in the centres while Asu Kepaoa is back from an illness and has been named on the interchange.
Funnily enough it is their opposition this week who enter Magic Round as the new team under the pump with Dragons coach Anthony Griffin's immediate future at the club in doubt. The Dragons fell just short against an injury-ravaged Bulldogs side 18-16 last week, adding to an unfortunate trend which has seen the Red V drop four-straight games by six points or less. Griffin's side have been thereabouts in all four games. In fact, they have scored the same or even more tries than their opponents in each of the matches too. Goal-kicking has proven a constant issue and perhaps a change there could help the Dragons snag an extra win or two, with centre Zac Lomax dropped and Max Feagai shifting from the wing to replace him.
With Lomax out, the Dragons are on the lookout for a new goal-kicker, with Moses Mbye, Ben Hunt and Jack Bird all options who have previous NRL goal-kicking experience under their belt. All three have a career goal-kicking rate of under 70 per cent though, as does Jayden Sullivan who has kicked 10 of 15 goals this season in NSW Cup. Sullivan has been named on the bench in a shake-up for the Dragons which sees Mbye start at hooker in place of the axed Jacob Liddle.
However, the Illawarra Mercury reported on Wednesday that Hunt in fact could line up at hooker after exclusively training at the position, with Sullivan to join the starting side at halfback. That would see the Dragons get a look at their potential future halves pairing of Sullivan and Talatau Amone, with suggestions Hunt could move on if Griffin is sacked as coach.
Focussing on this week's game though, other team changes see Jaydn Su'A return from a shoulder injury in the second row with Billy Burns also recalled on the edge. That sees Jack Bird move to lock while Jack de Belin starts in the front row.
The Dragons will be hoping to put aside worrying recent form north of the border, having won just one game from their past 15 games in Queensland. The Tigers have also struggled though, with the one victory from their past eight matches in the northern state.
Last meeting: Round 24 2022 - Wests Tigers 22 Dragons 24
Who to watch: How good was it to see Luke Brooks smiling last week. It has been a rough stretch for the Tigers halfback but he was a clear standout in Saturday's impressive win over Penrith. The unfortunate reality for Brooks though is that he has shown these flashes throughout his career and struggled to back it up with any real consistency. Having aimed up against the defending premiers, the challenge for Brooks - and the Tigers as a whole - will be to maintain the same intensity against the lowly Dragons. The Tigers simplified their game plan in rainy conditions last week, kicking to corners early and prioritising ball control. The forecast for Brisbane this weekend is all sunshine so it will be interesting to see if Brooks and the Tigers shift from that approach or continue to try punch through the middle.
While it is looking increasingly likely that Griffin will be moved on, the current Dragons coach will get a look at what the Dragons' potential long-term spine this weekend. It will be particularly intriguing to see how Ben Hunt fares at hooker, having impressed in the position at Origin. Hunt is set to run out for his 299th NRL game this weekend and should he make the positional switch it will be the first time he has played dummy-half at club level in three years. The 33-year-old's strong running game and instinctive passing should make it not too much of an adjustment while Hunt's high work rate also means the extra tackling won't be an issue either.
Favourite: The Dragons are favourites but there is not much in it.
My tip: St George Illawarra has been close for a number of weeks now but you get the sense this could be the loss that really tips things over the edge when it comes to Griffin's future. A bad loss here and the Dragons may have no choice but to head in a new direction immediately. Off the back of last week's win, look for a confident Tigers team to score back-to-back victories for the first time since April 2022. Tigers by 10.
