The Dragons recorded their second win from their past three matches with a narrow 19 – 18 victory over the Titans on the Gold Coast last week.
The Dragons are improving in conjunction with recent addition Benji Marshall, starting to find his feet back in the NRL and forming valuable partnerships with the likes of halves partner Gareth Widdop and centre Josh Duggan.
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After losing seven of eight earlier in the year, the Dragons have showed the season isn’t yet over for them and that there’s something there for Coach Paul McGregor to work with.
Trent Merrin will be the out of this week’s clash and his absence is the only change to the starting line-up from last week.
Dan Hunt and Jack Stockwell have been named on an extended bench.
The Dragons have won two of their three games at WIN this year and will be looking to consolidate their recent performances with a strong effort against the Storm.
STORM
Either side of consecutive losses to North Queensland and Roosters, when heavily effected by Origin commitment, the Storm have shows with wins over the Rabbitohs, Manly, Gold Coast and last week Parramatta, that they are back near their best.
They were clinical against the Eels early in last week’s game and raced to an 18 – nil lead after 25 minutes.
Billy Slater was heavily involved in each of the first three tries, one of which he scored himself, as the star fullback responded from the disappointing Origin loss in devastating fashion.
The solid form for the Storm comes off strong showings from several of their forwards, namely Jesse Bromwich and Ryan Hinchcliffe who each starred for the Storm last week.
The Storm has name basically the same starting line-up for this week’s clash and a repeat performance of last week’s effort, will see them extremely hard to beat.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Dragons lost in controversially circumstances when the sides last met in round six this year,
A try after the bell saw the Storm successful 28 – 24, which made it their fourth win from the past five games over the Dragons.
The last three clashes have seen a good amount of match points scored, all exceeded 40 points and with the Storm in form and the Dragons saving their best performances this year for WIN Stadium, a similar score might be on the cards here.
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Teams:
DRAGONS: Adam Quinlan, Charly Runciman, Josh Dugan, Gerard Beale, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Benji Marshall, Ben Creagh, Mitch Rein, Michael Cooper, Leeson Ah Mau, Joel Thompson, Jack de Belin. Interchange: Dan Hunt, Shane Pumipi, Will Matthews, Bronson Harrison, Jack Stockwell.
STORM: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Kurt Mann, Mahe Fonua, Young Tonumaipea, Ben Hampton, Ben Roberts, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Kenny Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Junior Moors, Jordan McLean, Tim Glasby, Joel Romelo.
