NRLW R1: Dragons v Titans preview

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St George Illawarra Dragons v Gold Coast Titans Sunday 12:00pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Tim Costello looks at the upcoming meeting between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Gold Coast Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Jamie Cup is up for grabs as the Dragons face off against one of three newcomers.

It's Soward v Feeney - but they aren't the stars of this show. The NRLW 2021 season kicks off - FINALLY - as our cover suggests, after multiple delays and unprecedented expansion.

Sunday's first contest of a McDonald Jones Stadium triple header pits four-year veterans St George Illawarra against debutant club Gold Coast in a match where one squad has been pulled apart by the expansion clubs, the other benefitting from the spoils of the Warriors' departure from the competition as they look to build a new outfit.

The Dragons have a nonetheless impressive lineup, with captain Kezie Apps up front with PNG international Elsie Albert, and long-time Dragons pair Shaylee Bent and Holli Wheeler in the back row. A hooking rotation of Keeley Davis and Quincy Dodd means the Red V do pack some punch up front. Gold Coast meanwhile picked up six former Warriors - including electrifying fullback Evania Pelite, speedy winger Karina Brown, and utility Georgia Hale.

Last meeting: first time opponents

Who to watch: Despite having some of their quality players poached by expansion clubs, the Dragons have managed a key signing in EMMA TONEGATO. The Australian rugby sevens star fills the fullback role in what remains an impressive backline which also includes the NRL All Stars player of the match Jaime Chapman. Tonegato returns to league after departing after the 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup, where she helped the Jillaroos to global glory.

The Gold Coast have married pair KIMIORA and BRITTANY BREAYLEY-NATI forming the half and dummy-half pairing. Both already have a storied career - Kimiora best on ground in Brisbane's 2018 premiership win, Brittany winning the Dally M medal in the same year.

The favourite: The quality of the lineups dictates that the Gold Coast will go into this one as favourites.

My tip: It's difficult to look past the Titans here - their lineup boasts a touch more class than the Dragons. Don't count the Red V out by any means... but I'm going GOLD COAST BY 8.

1. Emma Tonegato 2. Teagan Berry 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Page McGregor 5. Madison Bartlett 6. Taliah Fuimaono 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Keeley Davis 10. Kezie Apps 11. Talei Holmes 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Holli Wheeler 14. Quincy Dodd 15. Kody House 16. Tegan Dymock 17. Janelle Williams 18. Renee Targett  23. Matilda Power 24. Chantel Tugaga

1. Evania Pelite 2. Karina Brown 18. Lauren Dam 4. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 5. Jetaya Faifua 6. Grace Griffin 7. Kimiora Breayley-Nati 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Brianna Clark 11. Zara Canfield 12. Tazmin Gray 13. Georgia Hale 13. Destiny Brill 15. Jessika Elliston 16. Stephanie Hancock 17. Shaniah Power 19. April Ngatupuna  23. Karli Hansen 24. Lauren Moss

Referees: Karra-Lee Nolan; Sideline Officials: Jake Sutherland, Kailey Beattie; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy;