Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League Magic Round clash between the Tigers and Dragons.

MATCHDAY NEWS

MATCHDAY SCHEDULE

Wests Tigers Vs St George-Illawarra Dragons
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Saturday, May 3, 7:45 pm (AEST)

MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS

Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Brent Naden 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Solomona Faataape 22. Tristan Hope

Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 5. Corey Allan 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Lyhkan King-Togia 8. Toby Couchman 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Dylan Egan 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Jack de Belin 16. Emre Guler 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 19. Nathan Lawson 20. Blake Lawrie 21. Lachlan Ilias 22. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Kasey Badger

Embed from Getty Images

MATCHDAY PREVIEW

After two weeks’ worth of distractions and talk around Lachlan Galvin, the Tigers put the drama aside and produced a gutsy Golden Point win over the Sharks. The Sharks had their chances to get the win before the game went to extra time, but the Tigers’ desperation in defence stopped them. In the end, a penalty goal to Adam Doueihi sealed the Tigers’ 20-18 victory.

Benji Marshall has named the same team that beat the Sharks at the weekend, with Tony Sukkar named as the 18th Man.

The Dragons had a horror day at Allianz Stadium, losing to the Roosters in the annual Anzac Day game (46-18). After conceding the first try, the Dragons drew level when winger Sione Finau swooped on a Roosters dropped ball to run away and score. It would be all the Roosters for after that, with the Tri-colours scoring 22 points either side of half-time to blow the score out. The Dragons would then score two tries, but the damage had already been done.

Coach Shane Flanagan has wielded the axe after the loss against the Roosters, with halfback Lachlan Ilias dropped to the reserves. Lyhkan King-Togia will play at halfback. Finau has also been dropped and Corey Allan replaces him on the wing. Hamish Stewart returns from concussion. Jack de Belin moves to the bench, with Blake Lawrie moving to the reserves.

The Dragons are like the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde of the NRL. On their day, they are a formidable team and one of only two teams to have beaten the Melbourne Storm this season. They could easily go out and beat the Tigers, but they could also go out and get beaten by 30 points.

King-Togia has a big job ahead of him, and his more experienced halves partner, Kyle Flanagan, needs to step up and take the pressure off the young halfback. Clint Gutherson has been a shining light for the Dragons this season, and he will also be there to take the pressure off King-Togia. The Roosters exposed the right edge of the Dragons, so Allan and Moses Suli will need to talk to each other in defence to make sure the Tigers don’t do the same.

The Tigers will have to make sure they are not still riding the high of their win over the Sharks. The win will do wonders for their confidence, but they can’t let it go to their heads. Jarome Luai and Api Koroisau will need to be at their best for the Tigers to continue their march to play finals football.

MATCHDAY PREDICTION

Tigers by 8 points.

Check out our Magic Round predictions here.

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Josh Mercer
Butcher by trade, I decided to stop cutting up carcasses and slicing whole rumps to become a sports journalist. Enjoy all things Sport and Pop culture, used to come in handy at trivia nights with useless celebrity facts.

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