Even a season best performance the week before, when defeating the competition front-runners in Golden Point time, didn’t give the St. George Dragons the confidence they needed to break one of the NRL’s most significant hoodoos.
The Dragons lost – for the tenth straight time, to the Raiders last week 22 – 18. The loss, the Dragons twelfth of the season, continued a frustrating run of outs at the once imposing Win Jubilee Oval, where the Dragons have won one from four this year.

After narrow losses to both Sydney and Newcastle, the Bulldogs have regained momentum with massive wins over Melbourne (39 – 0) and Parramatta (40 – 10) in the past fortnight.

It was the Bulldogs ninth and tenth win of the season and sees them placed fifth on the ladder but equal with Sharks and Raiders on 24 competition points. A win here will ensure they remain in fifth, a loss though, depending on other results, could see them slide to potentially eighth spot.

The Dogs have won the past three encounters between the two club, including a tight encounter 16 – 14 back in round 12 of this year.

The Dogs will be without star fullback and leading try-scorer Ben Barba for this game, and the remainder of the regular season at least though and it’ll be interesting to see how the attack stands up with their strike player out.

Josh Reynolds, who didn’t play in round 12’s clash, should still have enough personal to steer around the park and create too much trouble for the St. George defence.

TIP: CANTERBURY 1 – 12

Odds comparison by NRL Odds:

St George Illawarra Dragons	2.70	2.60	2.70	2.60	2.70	2.70
Canterbury Bulldogs	1.47	1.50	1.49	1.50	1.47	1.48

Teams:

St George Illawarra Dragons:
Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Chase Stanley, Daniel Vidot, Jason Nightingale, Adam Quinlan, Nathan Fien, Jack de Belin, Mitch Rein, Michael Weyman, Bronson Harrison, Ben Creagh (capt), Trent Merrin. Interchange: Matt Prior, Leeson Ah Mau, Tyson Frizell, Jack Stockwell.

Canterbury Bulldogs:
Sam Perrett, Mitch Brown, Josh Morris, Tim Lafai, Krisnan Inu, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (capt), James Graham, Frank Pritchard, Tony Williams, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Josh Jackson, Sam Kasiano, Dale Finucane, Tim Browne (one to be omitted).

Referees: Gerard Sutton, Henry Perenara.