The St George Illawarra Dragons will face the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Friday, March 26 (6pm). This is your Round 3 game guide.
- Game day information available here
- Dragons name Round 3 team
- Sea Eagles make injury-forced changes
- Norman on Manly and Ben Hunt's form
Two points in Townsville
Ben Hunt was firing, the forwards were rolling and the Dragons' newfound grit was on show for all.
The Dragons' first win in Townsville in three seasons doubled as the club's first W for season 2021 and coincided with Corey Norman's return from an NRL-imposed suspension. Norman's field goal on the stroke of half-time kept the Cowboys at an arm's length the entire second half.
Round 3 beckons against a winless Manly now. With a 'you're only as good as your last game' mentality, a Dragons win will be vital for the club's improved confidence.
The Dragons have named an unchanged 21-man squad to face the Sea Eagles.
Winning at WIN
The Sea Eagles have started their 2021 campaign under adverse circumstances. Two losses in two games has been compounded by a burgeoning casualty ward.
Losing Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) before a ball was kicked didn't help the Sea Eagles' cause, while Andrew Davey (knee), Haumole Olakau'atu (elbow), Jorge Taufua (Achilles) and Curtis Sironen (knee) are all on the sidelines.
This week Manly must now also confront 16 years of losing history as well as a revitalised Dragons outfit. The Sea Eagles have lost their previous seven games at Wollongong's WIN Stadium dating back to 2005.
Morgan Boyle (foot) returns from the interchange for the Sea Eagles as Josh Schuster shifts to the back row at the unfortunate expense of Davey.
Stats that matter
There's no better sight than watching a big man in full flight. Daniel Alvaro is quickly carving out himself a spot as a Dragons cult hero.
Line break aside for a second, Alvaro managed 127 metres, 35 tackles and three offloads against the Cowboys in a great showing from the interchange.
Fijian flyer Mikaele Ravalawa continued his strong start to the season up in Townsville with a team-high 155 metres, a try and seven tackle breaks.
Captain Hunt recorded another two try assists (as well as a try of his own) to sit at second competition-wide.
Bang for your buck
Dragons home games are more than just an 80-minute game of rugby league. There's plenty of other reasons to get out to WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
The first 1000 people through the gates on Friday will receive a Dragons mini flag.
But wait, there's more!
Two lucky punters will be picked from the crowd to take part in the Trip-A-Deal dash where the winner will walk away with a three-night package for two people to Tangalooma Island Resort, including flights.
For all you Red V members out there, you can find your name on the 2021 Red V member wall in the western concourse walkway (near the food outlets).
