Wests Tigers v Dragons NRLW preview

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Wests Tigers (W) v St George Illawarra Dragons (W) Thursday 7:45pm at Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

Round 8 in the NRLW starts off with the winless Wests Tigers hosting St George Illawarra Dragons at the eighth wonder. 

It has been a tough season again for the Wests Tigers. They sit bottom of the NRLW ladder and haven't registered a win through seven weeks so another wonder utensil might be headed to the black and gold. They have shown in spurts that they can match up with sides but have lacked the finishing touches which could get them over the line. Maybe facing off against the Dragons who are eliminated from finals could do the trick. 

Dragons endured a weird week where they released a statement that coach Jamie Soward won't continue in the role in 2025 then were beaten in a points fest against the Canberra Raiders at Kogarah on Saturday.  There is plenty of talent in the Dragons squad who are also young which should bode well for them headed into the future. Kasey Reh had a four-pointer last week and moves into the hooker position for Rugby 7s Gold Medalist Tyla Nathan-Wong which is handy. 

Last meeting: Round 5 2023 - Wests Tigers 16 Dragons 20

Who to watch: Botille-Vette Walsh has been a star in the NRLW in previous seasons and while she hasn't been at the same level in 2024 she will kickstart the Tigers work. The fullback will be keen to show people why Bo knows.  Up front, Sarah Togatuki will hopefully set the platform for the Tigers to get in the winner's circle for the 2024 season. If she can get them on the front foot, the Tigers can go close to getting off the duck egg. 

The easiest answer for the Dragons is superstar fullback Teagan Berry who scored a double in their loss to Canberra. One of them was a kick for herself that she snatched from the defender so if the Dragons need some points she will be right in the thick of it.  Another Dragons that found the stripe twice was lock Alexis Tauaneai who crashed over from close range. The Tigers defense hasn't been the strongest this season and she might find more joy on Thursday. 

MY TIP: I think there should be enough points in the Dragons side to get the win in this game and consign the Tigers to the NRLW spoon. Dragons by 14.

1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Rebecca Pollard 3. Leianne Tufuga 4. Rikeya Horne 5. Claudia Nielsen 6. Evie Mcgrath 7. Losana Lutu 8. Sarah Togatuki 9. Ebony Prior 10. Christian Pio 11. Brooke Talataina 12. Claudia Brown 13. Najvada George 14. Chelsea Savill 15. Tara Reinke 16. Natasha Penitani 17. Pauline Piliae 18. Jessica Kennedy

1. Teagan Berry 2. Maatuleio Fotu-moala 3. Keele Browne 4. Bobbi Law 5. Alice Gregory 6. Tyla King 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 9. Kasey Reh 10. Jamilee Bright 11. Shenai Lendill 12. Ella Koster 13. Alexis Tauaneai 14. Zali Hopkins 16. Madison Mulhall 19. Jordyn Preston 22. Bronte Wilson 18. Sophie Clancy

Referees: Luke Saldern; Sideline Officials: Billy Greatbach, Bradley Kiehne; Video Referees: Matt Noyen;