Round 1: DRAGONS vs WESTS TIGERS

[DIEHARD]

Dragons: 1. Adam Quinlan 2. Brett Morris 3. Dylan Farrell 4. Gerard Beale 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Michael Witt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Mitch Rein 10. Dan Hunt 11. Leeson Ah Mau 12. Ben Creagh (c) 13. Trent Merrin

Interchange: 14. Bronson Harrison 15. Kyle Stanley 16. Joel Thompson 17. Tyson Frizell 20. Mike Cooper

Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Keith Lulia 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Pat Richards 6. Braith Anasta 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Martin Taupau 11. Liam Fulton 12. Bodene Thompson 13. Adam Blair

Interchange: 14. Cory Paterson 15. Ava Seumanu***ai 16. Sauaso Sue 17. James Gavet

[DIEHARD]

PREVIEW
Sunday, 3.00pm - ANZ Stadium

Embattled coaches Steve Price and Mick Potter enter season 2014 as two of the most under-pressure coaches in the NRL but one of their teams will sit in the top eight after this weekend when their two sides meet at ANZ Stadium.

Having watched his St George Illawarra side suffer its worst ever losing streak last year, Price survived a post-season coaching review and will be desperate to get off to a winning start to the new campaign and keep the critics at bay.

The same applies for Potter, who was reportedly hours away from being axed by the Wests Tigers less than one year into his first season as an NRL coach – one that included the dramatic exit of centrepiece playmaker Benji Marshall.

But other than the inevitable talk of under-pressure coaches, of most interest will be how both of them have prepared the re-shaping of their respective sides.

The Dragons pushed deep into the marketplace and came away with a brand new halves combination, with Price opting for Storm five-eighth Gareth Widdop and journeyman Michael Witt in Round 1.

Joel Thompson, Dylan Farrell and English import Mike Cooper are the other three new faces named to make their club debuts, while the return of Gerard Beale from his long-term knee injury is almost like another signing. Another recruit, Sam Williams, will play for the Cutters.

The Tigers, meanwhile, will rely on a school of kids to revitalise a side that ended 2013 sitting just above the last-placed Eels. Anticipation has been building around halfback Luke Brooks' initiation as the focus of the Tigers attack, as well as the homecoming of 2005 premiership hero and former Super League Man of Steel Pat Richards.

The trial form of both sides was mixed. Judging by their comprehensive 38-20 defeat to South Sydney in the Charity Shield, the Dragons still have plenty of work to do in order to move up the ladder. News that Josh Dugan (knee) will miss the opening month of footy is the biggest blow, with young Adam Quinlan named to deputise in his place.

The Tigers, in contrast, have enjoyed a solid summer, producing a flawless first half to defeat Penrith 32-8 in Camden before holding off Cronulla 28-22 a fortnight ago. They too, were hit hard over the trial period, losing utility Dene Halatau (ankle, four months), Curtis Sironen (foot, three months) and Tim Moltzen (knee, indefinite) to long stints on the sideline.

The game at ANZ Stadium will be one of two matches the Dragons host at the Olympic venue this season, after making the decision to decrease the amount of games played in Wollongong and Kogarah from six each to four.

The remaining four will be played between ANZ Stadium, Allianz Stadium and the SCG. For the first game of the year, the Dragons are offering a special, season-opening competitive family price, together with activities for the whole family.

Watch Out Dragons: Prop Aaron Woods was limited to 16 of a possible 24 games last season, but the incumbent NSW Origin front-rower made the most of his time on the field, averaging over 149m per game (fourth highest in the NRL). And given the Tigers averaged just 1179m per game (15th in the NRL), the Dragons could limit the Tigers' go-forward even more if they curbed Woods' impact. Keith Galloway (109m) was the only other player to average more than 100m.

Watch Out Tigers: In what is perhaps a sign of the freedom and liberty coach Steve Price tried to instil in his side's attack last season, the Dragons led the competition in offloads last year with 13.5 per game. The next closest was the Panthers with 11. Lock Trent Merrin was the biggest exponent of second phase play, with 44 (fourth in the NRL). Brett Morris (33), Bronson Harrison (32), and Jason Nightingale (31) weren't shy in risking the pass either. For the record, the Tigers conceded 9.6 offloads a game last year (ninth most).

Plays To Watch: The Tigers may have lost Benji Marshall, but hooker Robbie Farah still has plenty of tricks in his bag and if there's a shortage in numbers on the blindside, then the wily No.9 won't need a second invitation to make some headway. Given the pressure on his rookie half, don't be surprised if Farah looks to create more chances himself.

For the Dragons, keep an eye out for Mitch Rein's scurrying at dummy half, particularly when they're close to the line. The fourth-year rake loves to have a go himself, particularly if the opportunity presents itself early in the tackle count.

Key Match-Up: Luke Brooks v Gareth Widdop. All eyes will be on the young, talented duo, both of whom have been identified as the primary playmaker for their respective sides.

Much – maybe too much – has already been made of Brooks' elevation into first grade and with a starring debut already under his belt (coincidentally against the Dragons in Round 24 last season) the 19-year-old will be expected to produce early and often.

Similarly, Widdop arrives in Wollongong with a point to prove as well. Many pundits are keen to see how the former Storm pivot handles life without the Storm big three. Handed the keys to one of the most historic and proud clubs in the competition, expectations will also be high on the English international to get the Dragons attack up and running.

Where It Will Be Won: While both sides attacked poorly in 2013 the Dragons hold a slight edge in defence, giving up just 22 points per game (11th) compared to the Tigers' 29 (15th).

How much either side has improved in either area remains a mystery, but it really is a simple matter of taking on Laurie Daley's famous advice: whichever side scores the most points will win the game.

The History: Played 27; Dragons 14, Wests Tigers 13. The Tigers have won four of their past six, but the results were split last season. The Dragons pipped the Tigers via a Jamie Soward field goal in Round 6 at the SCG, but Brooks and his teammates gained revenge in the same arena with a thorough 34-18 examination in Round 24.

What Are The Odds: Dragons have ballooned from $1.64 only a few weeks ago out to $1.90, the same quote as the Tigers. Despite money coming in at five to one in their favour, Sportsbet.com.au calls it a toss-of-the-coin match.

Match Officials: Referees – Ashley Klein & Adam Gee; Sideline Officials – Jeff Younis & Chris Butler; Video Referees – Steve Clark & Reece Williams.

Televised: Channel Nine – Delayed 4.00pm (AEDT); Fox Sports 1 – Delayed 8.30pm

The Way We See It: On form, you have to go with the Tigers. While the trials count for very little, positive results breed positive mindsets and given how easily the Dragons were disposed of by the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield – as well as their dismal showing in the Nines – it seems there is plenty of work to do before they can turn it around.

In comparison, the Tigers enter the match having won both their trials in different fashion. They shut out the Panthers in Camden, were unlucky not to get out of the group of death in Auckland, and then gritted out a tough victory in the Shire. They've made strides already in 2014, so we expect them to make some more in Round 1. Tigers by 8 points.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[DIEHARD]

Tigers: 1. James Tedesco 2. Marika Koroibete 3. Keith Lulia 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Pat Richards 6. Braith Anasta 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Martin Taupau 11. Liam Fulton 12. Bodene Thompson 13. Adam Blair

Interchange: 14. Cory Paterson 15. Ava Seumanu***ai 16. Sauaso Sue 17. James Gavet

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Dragons v Wests Tigers

Dragons: No changes expected, with Mike Cooper set to drop off the bench.

Tigers: Robbie Farah, Chris Lawrence, Aaron Woods and Pat Richards developed boils during the week but are all likely to play.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

[DIEHARD]

Just about to watch the battle of the desperates. Hoping the Wests Tigers can click this year.

NRL really needs Dragons and Tigers that arent rubbish.

No spoilers until after the telecast.

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You know Im a jersey fancier, love how the Dragons chevron actually extends over the shoulders.

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Interested in seeing more of Luke Brooks.

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Looks like an epic **** crowd at a **** stadium. NRL really made a bad decision to host 7 games in Sydney. What were they thinking!?!?

I also think ANZ Stadium is too overloaded with sides.

[DIEHARD]

Widdop inspires first-up Dragons win

New Dragons recruit Gareth Widdop inspired his side to a 44-24 victory over the Wests Tigers in front of 19,860 fans at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

In his first official outing in the historic Red V, Widdop had a hand in four of the Dragons' seven tries and kicked a perfect eight goals from eight attempts, prompting Peter Sterling to say: "He thinks he's Johnathan Thurston."

It was the Tigers, however, who garnered all the plaudits early, beating the clock as they raced out to a 12-0 lead after just 10 minutes.

Winger Pat Richards, who has brought a whole new dimension to kick-offs from his lengthy stint in England, crossed with his first touch in the fourth minute, finishing off a simple right side movement created by a James Tedesco cut-out pass. Richards converted his own try for the 6-0 lead.

But if the Tigers' first four-pointer was sentimental, their second was phenomenal.

Dragons winger Brett Morris spilt his lollies on the halfway line and when Liam Fulton picked it up and threw it to James Tedesco on the run, the fullback was under the black dot in an instant and Wests looked like getting their post-Benji Marshall era off to an easy start.

But the youthful Tigers began to lose their concentration, continuously turning the ball over in their own half and inviting the Dragons to come back. And second-rower Tyson Frizell didn't need a second invitation, stampeding over Fulton and his rookie halfback in Luke Brooks in the 14th minute to plant the ball over the line.

The visitors – who will also call ANZ Stadium home this year – regained the 12-point lead five minutes later when skipper Robbie Farah convinced referee Ashley Klein to award a try from dummy half that couldn't be overturned.

A crucial moment came not long after in the 24th, when Widdop's scrumbase partner Michael Witt chipped over the top just inside Tigers territory, causing a heavy collision between Fulton and Tedesco, and ended with Ben Creagh finding space out wide. The Dragons' try was a double blow for the Tigers, who had to watch a concussed Fulton be stretchered off and not return.

The game was well and truly on when Keith Lulia missed a simple tackle to allow Gerard Beale to score for St George Illawarra, and when the Tigers gifted Widdop a further two points via a penalty, their 12-0 lead suddenly became a 20-18 deficit at the main break.

The two sides traded tries early in the second half – the Tigers stood off Widdop as he danced across field and found a willing runner in Witt in the 43rd, while Martin Taupau showed great determination to run over a couple of Dragons defenders close to the line in the 48th.

But the tide turned in the 60th minute Frizell grabbed his second, steaming onto a smart inside ball from Widdop for a 32-24 lead.

The Dragons never looked back after that, piling on the points via easy tries to hooker Mitch Rein in the 65th minute and fullback Adam Quinlan in the 79th that meant they were the most convincing winners of the weekend so far.

Tigers prop Aaron Woods was put on report in the 37th minute for making contact to the head of Brett Morris.

Wests Tigers 24 (Richards, Tedesco, Farah, Taupau tries; Richards 4 goals) defeated by St George-Illawarra 44 (Frizell 2, Creagh, Beale, Witt, Rein, Quinlan tries; Widdop 8 goals). Crowd: 19,860.

Source: http://www.nrl.com

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Match Highlights

[Smakked]

Widdup was awesome i thought, Tigs looked like Parra of last year no direction what so ever.

[DIEHARD]

Widdup was awesome i thought, Tigs looked like Parra of last year no direction what so ever.

So happy to see him step out of the shadow of his Storm colleagues. Long may it continue.