The pressure is ratcheting up on St George Illawarra with the dogfight for the final playoff spots intensifying, COVID breach bans still to be served and the red-hot Rabbitohs next on their agenda.
The Dragons, who are locked in a three-way tie for seventh with Cronulla and Canberra while the Gold Coast and Newcastle lurk just one win back in a tie for 10th place, have no margin for error given their tough run home which includes a return bout with this week s opponents.
South Sydney s potent attack will still be without try-scoring leader Alex Johnston but his absence mattered little in their 11-try destruction of the Warriors and the Dragons did nothing to suggest they will present a stiffer test given the way they capitulated to the Titans.
NRL 2021: South Sydney Rabbitohs, Wayne Bennett, coach apologises after Panthers loss
nrl.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nrl.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Round 9 Late Mail
Dragons v Bulldogs, Sunday 4.05pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Dragons: Mathew Feagai will make his NRL debut in place of Cody Ramsey (rib) on the wing, while Junior Amone also makes his NRL debut from the bench.
Tyrell Fuimaono comes in at centre to repace Zac Lomax (dislocated thumb).
Ramsey and Adam Clune dropped out of the extended squad 24 hours before kick-off while Poasa Faamausili was the last man cut an hour before kick-off. Jackson Ford is 18th man.
Dragons fullback Matt Dufty has scored nine tries in his past eight games at Kogarah.
Bulldogs: Lachlan Lewis and Ofahiki Ogden were added to the bench an hour before kick-off with Matt Doorey reverting to 18th man.
August
August 2: Management at Sunshine Coast Stadium are questioned over the venue’s safe-distancing practices after photographs show a packed hill for the clash between Melbourne and Newcastle. Under Queensland COVID restrictions, the venue was allowed to operate at 50 per cent capacity and the attendance of 5437 was inside the limit.
Five Queensland Health authorities were reportedly on site for the match and no concerns were raised on the day. The NRL announces (August 3) that it will reduce the capacity for future matches as a precautionary measure .
The English Super League competition resumes after a five-month hiatus as St Helens overpower Catalans 34-6. James Graham makes his return to Saints after an absence of nine years.
vimarsana © 2020. All Rights Reserved.