The Dragons produced a stunning upset over Cronulla and now have a chance to move closer to avoiding the wooden spoon. Standing in their way are a Tigers side desperate to finish a disappointing campaign on a positive note.
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- Wests Tigers vs Dragons → Read full preview: wests-tigers-vs-dragons-round-24-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Sunday 16 August – 4:05pm (AEST) – CommBank Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Peter Gough | Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Wests Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula, 2. Junior Tupou, 3. Solomone Saukuru, 4. Patrick Herbert, 5. Sunia Turuva, 6. Jarome Luai (c), 7. Adam Doueihi, 8. Terrell May, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. Fonua Pole, 11. Samuela Fainu, 12. Tony Sukkar, 13. Alex Twal, 14. Heath Mason, 15. Sione Fainu, 16. Alex Seyfarth, 17. Bunty Afoa, 18. Tristan Hope, 19. Faaletino Tavana, 20. Ethan Roberts, 21. Javon Andrews, 22. Charlie Murray
St George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Clinton Gutherson, 2. Setu Tu, 3. Moses Suli, 4. Valentine Holmes, 5. Tyrell Sloan, 6. Lyhkan King-Togia, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, 9. Damien Cook (c), 10. Emre Guler, 11. Dylan Egan, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Ryan Couchman, 14. Jacob Liddle, 15. Toby Couchman, 16. Jacob Halangahu, 17. Jacob Webster, 18. Daniel Atkinson, 19. Mathew Feagai, 20. Josh Kerr, 21. Blake Lawrie, 22. Christian Tuipulotu
Match Preview
Round 24 concludes on Sunday afternoon with the desperate Tigers hosting the resurgent Dragons. Despite both teams being out of finals contention, there’s still plenty to play for with the Dragons’ hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon alive for another week.
The Tigers sit in 14th and are coming off their final bye of the year last week. Prior to the bye, they lost a nailbiter against the Eels 16-13. The Dragons remain on the bottom of the ladder, but have a renewed sense of confidence after upsetting the Sharks 24-16 last week.
For the Tigers, Solomone Saukuru is set to make his NRL debut in the centres, replacing Heamasi Makasini. Bunty Afoa and Faaletino Tavana return on the bench, with Charlie Murray and Starford To’a dropping out.
For the Dragons, Toby Couchman is named to return on the bench after missing last week due to concussion. Setu Tu returns on the wing in place of Mat Feagai, who moves to the bench despite being under an injury cloud. Damien Cook starts at hooker, with Jacob Liddle reverting to the bench. Jacob Webster also retains his spot on the bench.
The key for the Tigers will be the same as it’s been most of the year: discipline. The Tigers can’t afford to allow the Dragons good field position, otherwise they will suffer the same fate as the Sharks last week. Ball security and executing fifth tackle options will go a long way to ensuring that doesn’t happen. In the backline, it’s another new combination with Saukuru debuting at centre. He’s the leading tryscorer in NSW Cup this year and he may just provide the injection of energy the Tigers need to score points against an improving Dragons defence.
The key for the Dragons is building pressure on the Tigers and wearing out their forwards. It’s been a dark season for the Dragons, but some late-season bright spots are shining through in the form of their young forward pack. The return of Toby Couchman will only bolster this, with his brother Ryan Couchman, and Hamish Stewart, leading the late-season resurgence in form. Look for these forwards to wear down the Tigers in the middle and lay a platform for their outside backs to put on plenty of points.
Adam Doueihi has scored a try in his last three games at CommBank Stadium. The Dragons have won four of their last five games against the Tigers.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dragons by 10.
Full Round 24 tips → /nrl-round-24-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Valentine Holmes scores a double in the final 10 minutes to get the Dragons over the line.
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Related
- Full Round 24 coverage → /nrl/2026-season/round-24/
- NRL Round 24 Team Lists → /nrl-round-24-team-lists-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
- NRL Round 23 Review → /nrl-round-23-review-2026/
