Round 25: Dragons v Storm preview
Stormy weather by the Wollongong ocean
The St George Illawarra Dragons will make their final appearance at WIN Stadium this season in a match of contrasting fortune against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday evening.
Languishing in 16th following the worst on-field season in the history of the joint venture, the St George Illawarra Dragons will be looking to avoid any mathematical possibility of claiming the wooden spoon by upsetting their long-standing rivals.
Squandering a golden opportunity to get the better of the Rabbitohs during last Saturday's 26-14 defeat in Cairns, interim coach Ryan Carr will welcome back Zac Lomax and Francis Molo from injury and concussion respectively.
Holding an underwhelming record in Wollongong with two wins from six matches this season, Dragons outside back Mat Feagai will bring up his 50th appearance for the club.
Sitting in prime position amongst a host of contenders to secure a coveted top four finish, the Melbourne Storm will be looking to edge closer to a guaranteed second chance in September.
Posting their biggest win of the season courtesy of a 48-2 thrashing over the Raiders last Sunday, the Storm have dominated the Dragons in the two decades since Craig Bellamy took charge with 23 wins from 31 clashes.
Naming Harry Grant in the starting side after the star hooker came off the bench last week, Reimis Smith has been preferred on the wing ahead of Will Warbrick after a strong return to the top grade last week.
Winning six matches plus a draw from 12 visits to Wollongong historically, the Storm won their first ever premiership match at the venue against Illawarra in the opening round of the 1998 season.
Last Meeting: Round 9, 2022 - Melbourne Storm 6 St George Illawarra Dragons 42
Who to watch: Earmarked as a playmaker of the future after a promising start to life at the joint venture, Dragons five-eighth Talatau Amone has experienced a challenging year on and off the field. Missing the start of the season after falling foul of the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy, the 21-year-old Tongan international has struggled to make an impression with seven try-assists and four forced drop outs from 16 appearances. Heading into the final weeks of the season without scoring a try, look for Amone to take on the line with extra purpose as the Dragons strive to snap a run of three losses.
Making his way back into the first grade team after spending the bulk of 2023 with the Sunshine Coast Falcons, experienced forward Tepai Moeroa will be determined to hold his place heading towards the business end of the season. Averaging 60 running metres, 18 tackles and two tackle breaks in just under half an hour of game time, the 27-year-old forward has performed solidly over the past three weeks. Managing 15 games with the Storm since returning to league from a COVID-interrupted stint in rugby union, Moeroa's past experience in September could prove invaluable in the weeks to come.
Favourite: In a match-up pitting the team running 16th against the team running fourth, it should come as no surprise to see the Storm favoured to get the job done on Saturday evening.
My tip: It's been three years since the Dragons last defeated the Storm and seven since doing likewise in Wollongong. In theory, the Dragons have a chance. In practice, the Storm should do it easily. Storm by 22.
