Saturday’s first NRL Round 11 match is between St George Illawarra Dragons and Penrith Panthers with the opening kick to commence at 5:30pm local time. The game is to be played at WIN Jubilee Oval with the home team St George Illawarra Dragons hold favouritism in the match. View our preview and teams for the game between St George Illawarra Dragons and Penrith Panthers.
WIN Jubilee Oval
Saturday 5.30pm
Featured Bookmakers:
St George Illawarra Dragons $1.45 vs Penrith Panthers $2.85 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
St George Illawarra Dragons $1.44 vs Penrith Panthers $2.85 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:
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| St George Illawarra Dragons | 1.45 | 1.45 | 1.44 | 1.45 | 1.45 | 1.46 |
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Penrith Panthers
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2.85 | 2.85 | 2.85 | 2.85 | 2.85 | 2.85 |
Preview:
The first game on Saturday is an enticing match-up between two sides that each hold a 4-6 record this year.
St. George made it two wins from four starts at Win Jubilee this year when they easily accounted for Parramatta last week. It was the first time this year the Dragons exceeded 30 points and only the second time that they surpassed 20.
Their attacking ability was given a boost with former Canberra fullback Josh Duggan making his debut with the Dragons and scoring two second-half tries.
Duggan’s inclusion did spark the Dragons attack and the win, after three successive losses, was a much needed one and has the Dragons placed twelfth on the ladder, one win outside the eight.
If there are to make it back-to-back wins, they’ll have to earn as they face a very much in-form Panther’s outfit whose only loss in the last month as been to Sydney Roosters (34-10).
Their three wins have been huge victory over Parramatta (44-12), a tight two point win over Melbourne Storm (12-10) and last week, a humiliation of the NZ Warriors (62-6).
The Panthers are travelling well, scoring plenty of points and keeping their opposition to only a few.
Having won two of the three matches (by four and one point) against the Dragons since 2010, they will hold no fears about travelling to Win Jubilee despite not having won away from home this year.
Expect a close match as a win by either side, could see them sneak into the top eight by the completion of this round.
Teams:
St George Illawarra Dragons:
Josh Dugan, Daniel Vidot, Chase Stanley, Matt Cooper, Jason Nightingale, Jamie Soward, Nathan Fien, Dan Hunt, Mitch Rein, Michael Weyman, Bronson Harrison, Ben Creagh (c), Trent Merrin. Interchange: Tyson Frizell, Matt Prior, Jack de Belin, Jack Stockwell, Cameron King
Penrith Panthers:
Matt Moylan, Travis Robinson, Lewis Brown, Dean Whare, David Simmons, Isaac John, Luke Walsh, Nigel Plum, Kevin Kingston (c), Tim Grant, Sika Manu, Matt Robinson, Adam Docker. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Mose Masoe, Clint Newton, Ryan Simpkins
Moylan re-signs with Panthers
Penrith have re-signed fullback Matt Moylan, one of a handful of youngsters that coach Ivan Cleary says has helped power the NRL side to back-to-back wins amidst their injury crisis.
Moylan was named man of the match when he made his NRL debut in the Panthers’ 44-12 thumping of Parramatta in round seven.
Over the past fortnight, the 21-year-old was influential in a shock win over reigning premiers Melbourne and a 62-6 shellacking of the Warriors.
Five-eighth Isaac John, unsighted in the NRL since leaving the Warriors in 2011, and interchange enforcer Mose Masoe have also been standouts in the bare-bone Panthers’ eye-catching wins.
“Those three guys have pretty much come in and some wins have come with it,” Cleary said.
“That’s no coincidence. Matt’s been good at the back for us, and certainly added a bit to our attack.
“It’s not just them (as players), it’s their enthusiasm.”
The Panthers were tipped by plenty to collect the wooden spoon after a slew of injuries, including major setbacks for Lachlan Coote (pectoral) and Jeremy Latimore (ankle).
But the problem is easing.
Wes Naiqama (knee) is back in reserve grade, while Tom Humble (ankle) and Josh Mansour (knee) are expected to be fit after Saturday night’s away clash with St George Illawarra.
“We need the calvary, it’s a long season and we’re getting a few guys starting to come back,” Cleary said.
“We’ve got the bye next week, two more games and then another bye. By the end of that we should have a bigger roster to chose from, that’s always good.”
Cleary will be faced with some ensuing selection headaches.
“You’ve just got to take it case by case,” he said.
“It’s been a long time, it feels like that anyway, since we’ve gotten through a game without someone getting injured.
“So we’ll just play it by ear.
“Whoever is playing best and how the team is going. That pretty much dictates it (selections).”
The Panthers could slip into the top eight with another win on the weekend, but Cleary is more worried about his side’s form on the road.
“It’s something we’ve got to address … our away form has left a bit to be desired,” he said.
“It’s a tough place to paly at Kogarah. It’s always a vocal crowd and the Dragons tend to play well there too, so it’s a good test for us.”
Cleary was unwilling to comment on speculation the Panthers were chasing playmakers Peter Wallace and Benji Marshall.