Dragons v Titans NRLW preview

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St George Illawarra Dragons (W) v Gold Coast Titans (W) Sunday 12:00pm at WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal

A tantalizing round one matchup has last year's Grand Finalists in the Gold Coast Titans going up against a reinvigorated St George Illawarra Dragons side that will look to move back into the finals after just missing out in 2023. 

Coming off a 20-8 trial loss against the Parramatta Eels, the Dragons will be looking to start the season with a bang. Jamie Soward continues to lead the Dragons in his fourth season at the club, bringing back Steph Hancock from the Titans to a strong forward pack while livewire Kasey Reh makes her NRLW debut off the bench.  Reh, the NSW U19's fullback and winning captain, will be joined by Bronte Wilson and Maatuleio Fotu-Moala as debutants, the former a Steelers grand final winner while Fotu-Moala comes off an international debut for Tonga in 2023.  

The Titans and coach Karyn Murphy will be hungry to get their season off to a winning one, with a star-studded backline leading the way. Queensland's match-winner from Game 2, Lauren Brown, lines up at halfback to guide around a team full of Origin stars and players wanting to avenge the last minute heartbreak of last season.  Tahlia Fuimaono will play her first NRLW game since last season's opening game, after injury took away her season in 2023. Emily Bass and Rilee Jorgensen will also line up after injuries curtailed their respective representative chances this season, with Bass a formidable try-scoring threat. 

Last meeting: Round 6 2023 - Dragons 22 Titans 23

Who to watch: While the excitement of Kasey Reh is palpable, Raecene McGregor will be looking to step up after a lackluster Dragons campaign in 2023. The New Zealand halfback is one of the premier dual-threats in the game, with her international record speaking volumes of her quality. The question will be whether she can bring her international form of 2023 to the NRLW in 2024

The aforementioned Lauren Brown is a versatile threat for the Titans, as shown in the State of Origin this season for Queensland. A great kicking threat close to the line, Brown's capability to split the defense on both sides of the field with her running game will stretch the Dragons on the edges. Her combination with fullback Evania Pelite, herself a dynamic star with the ability to break a game open, will have Dragons fans nervous whenever those two are within scoring range. 

MY TIP: Round one is never easy, even more so when the corresponding game last year was a one-point thriller. That said, the Titans are looking like the superior team on paper and while the Dragons will come out firing, the Titans just look too strong. Titans by 8.

1. Teagan Berry 2. Maatuleio Fotu-moala 3. Keele Browne 4. Bobbi Law 5. Margot Vella 6. Zali Hopkins 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 9. Sophie Clancy 17. Steph Hancock 11. Shenai Lendill 12. Charlotte Basham 13. Alexis Tauaneai 10. Jamilee Bright 14. Kasey Reh 15. Sara Sautia 16. Bronte Wilson 20. Kimberley Hunt

1. Evania Pelite 2. Karina Brown 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Niall Williams-Guthrie 5. Emily Bass 6. Taliah Fuimaono 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Zara Canfield 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale 14. Lily-Rose Kolc 15. Rilee Jorgensen 16. Dannii Perese 17. Laikha Clarke 18. Georgia Grey

Referees: Daniel Luttringer; Sideline Officials: Billy Greatbatch, Bradley Kiehne; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;