Sunday’s NRL 2017 Round 26 match is between St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs. The opening kick is set to commence at 16:00 local time with the game to be played at ANZ Stadium. The home team St George Illawarra Dragons are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs.
When: 16:00 | Sunday 03/09/2017
Where: ANZ Stadium
Preview:
The Dragons are still alive but could be out of finals contention by the time they take the field on Sunday. Cronulla-bound star Josh Dugan will be desperate to make sure this isn’t his final game wearing the Red V as he returns to the line-up after being dropped last week for missing the team bus. Chase Stanley replaces Brett Morris (ribs) on the wing for the Bulldogs, while Josh Reynolds is a chance of playing after being included among the reserves.
Key: Will the Dragons get the chance to ensure their fast start to the year won’t go to waste? They led the competition after seven rounds.
Tip: Dragons
Odds:
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Tip: St George Illawarra Dragons at $1.36
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Jason Nightingale at $9.50
More Info:
Head to Head: Dragons 11 Bulldogs 22
Last clash: Round 14, 2017 – Bulldogs 16 bt Dragons 2 at ANZ Stadium
TabSportsbet: Dragons $1.37 Bulldogs $3.10
Footy TAB: Bulldogs +8.5
Teams:
Dragons: 
1. Matthew Dufty 2. Nene Macdonald 3. Josh Dugan 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Kurt Mann 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jack de Belin 14. Tariq Sims 15. Hame Sele 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Josh McCrone 18. Will Matthews 19. Kalifa Faifai Loa 20. Taane Milne 21. Luciano Leilua
Bulldogs:
1. William Hopoate 2. Chase Stanley 3. Josh Morris 4. Brenko Lee 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Matt Frawley 7. Moses Mbye 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Lichaa 10. James Graham 11. Josh Jackson 12. Adam Elliot 13. David Klemmer 14. Sam Kasiano 15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 16. Danny Fualalo 17. Francis Tualau 19. Rhyse Martin 20. Josh Reynolds 22. Andy Saunders 23. Kerrod Holland
NRL News:
Fan favourite Josh Reynolds expects to be in tears when his farewell game for Canterbury ends.
But the emotional Reynolds is determined to go out on a high in the NRL final-round clash with a desperate St George Illawarra on Sunday and he says there should be no ill will from supporters toward the club hierarchy over his departure.
It was feared five-eighth Reynolds had already played his last game for the club he joined as a junior after he injured a calf muscle in the round-23 loss to South Sydney.
But he was able to declare himself fit on Wednesday to play his 137th and last game for the club before heading off to join neighbours Wests Tigers.
A two-time grand finalist, he is expected to come in for Matt Frawley against the Dragons, who must win to sneak into the top eight.
Sometimes described as the heartbeat of the Bulldogs, 28-year-old Reynolds said it would be a big day for his whole family.
“They’re probably as excited as me and they’re going to be a bit sad afterwards as well,” said Reynolds, who debuted in the NRL in 2011.
“In the end it’s going to be a good last day. The main thing is to finish off on a high and have a good last day with the boys that I’ve played with for such a long time.”
Reynolds is one of the Tigers’ star recruits for next year, along with Russell Packer, Ben Matulino, Benji Marshall and Chris McQueen.
The Bulldogs did negotiate with Reynolds however they did not have the money in their budget to match the Tigers’ four-year offer reportedly worth $3 million.
The loss of Reynolds is a sore point among fans amid a disappointing season with just nine wins and in 12th place going into the final round.
Many fans have vented their frustrations at coach Des Hasler and CEO Raelene Castle, but Reynolds insisted that was misplaced.
“It’s not Des, it’s not Raelene,” he said.
“There’s so many things that go into the negotiations. It’s just what happened.
“I’m not disappointed in anyone. I was presented with a good opportunity and the Bulldogs were at a different stage. That’s how it is.”
