The Dragons started the season with three straight wins, including a 31 – 12 win over this weekend’s opponents the Warriors, but haven’t been able to build on that start in the past three weeks.

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They’ll be backing up from a Monday night game against the Strom in Melbourne which, in a cloud of controversy, they lost 28 – 24 after the home-side scored a remarkable try after the siren – which according to the game-clock displayed on Fox Sports, was late to sound.

The Dragons scored first through Dylan Farrell and again just prior to half-time through Brett Morris, which gave the Dragons a deserved 12 – 10 lead at the break.

Former Storm pivot Gareth Widdop was again central to the Dragons performance and he looked set to steer the Dragons to a win over his former club when Trent Merrin scored off his  grubber to make the score 24 – 10.

The Dragons held that margin until the final 15 minutes of the game but the Storm, as they have done so regularly this season, managed to produce three late tries to snatch victory.

It was a heart-breaking loss for the Dragons and the relative quick back up is something they’ll also have to overcome however, giving them confidence for this week’s game will be their domination over the Warriors.

The Warriors have beaten the Dragons only three times in seventeen games since 2001, losing the last eight in succession.

After Coach Matt Elliot left the club after their abysmal round 5 loss to Cronulla, the Warriors showed far more enthusiasm and commitment in last week’s match against the Bulldogs.

They led early into the second half but with little experience in winning games this year, couldn’t close out the game or shake off a persistent Bulldogs outfit who levelled the game with five minutes to go before Trent Hodkinson slotted a one-pointer, handing the Warriors a 21 – 20 defeat.

A similar performance this week will see them go close to breaking the hoodoo the Dragons have over them but consistency – especially away from home – has not been a Warriors strong point in recent years.

TIP: Dragons 1 – 12

Odds Comparison:

St George Illawarra Dragons	1.60	1.60	1.53	1.60	1.60	1.60
New Zealand Warriors	2.40	2.40	2.55	2.40	2.40	2.40

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Teams:

St George Illawarra Dragons:
Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Dylan Farrell, Gerard Beale, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Michael Witt, Jack Stockwell, Mitch Rein, Dan Hunt, Joel Thompson, Ben Creagh (capt), Trent Merrin. Interchange: Bronson Harrison, Will Matthews, Mike Cooper, Leeson Ah Mau.

New Zealand Warriors:
Sam Tomkins, David Fusitua, Dane Nielsen, Ngani Laumape, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Jacob Lillyman, Dominique Peyroux, Jayson Bukuya, Simon Mannering (capt). Interchange: Siliva Havili, Suaia Matagi, Charlie Gubb, Ben Henry, Tuimoala Lolohea (one to be omitted).