A grand final and a season revival are on the cards this weekend. This is your game day guide for the 2021 NRLW grand final and the Dragons' NRL Round 5 clash.
- How the Dragons will line-up for the NRLW grand final
- NRLW grand final match preview
- Anthony Griffin names his side for Rabbitohs clash
The big dance
It doesn't get any bigger than this! The NRLW grand final takes flight on Sunday as the Dragons look to get their hands on the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership trophy for the first time in the club's history.
After an enthralling six weeks of competition, the Dragons finished the rescheduled 2021 regular season with just one loss and take on a high-flying Sydney Roosters outfit full of confidence after trumping the defending premiers Brisbane last weekend.
The historic clash will see a new name engraved on the trophy for the first time in the competition's history and will be held in front of a packed house at Redcliffe's Moreton Daily Stadium.
2021 NRLW grand final: Dragons v Sydney Roosters
Date: Sunday, April 10
Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
Kick-off: 1:30pm
Secure your grand final seat here.
Su'A suspension settled as former team beckons
St George Illawarra back-rower Jaydn Su'A returns to the Dragons' line-up after serving a one-game suspension.
The aggressive Queensland Origin representative has had the week to centre his focus on a mouth-watering showdown against his former South Sydney side.
Notorious nigglers Jai Arrow, Cody Walker and Liam Knight will provide plenty of competition for Su'A, who has had his own troubles with officials throughout his debut season at the Red V.
Su'A, who spent three years and 52 games at the Rabbitohs including last year's grand final, will start at the expense of fellow former Rabbitoh Jack Gosiewski.
Aaron Woods and Blake Lawrie swap between the bench and starting team while Moses Mbye and Jack Bird maintain their positions at fullback and five-eighth respectively.
The Jersey Flegg and Knock On Effect Cup Dragons will act as curtain-raisers to the main fixture at 5:30pm.
NRL Round 5: Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs
Date: Saturday, April 9
Venue: Accor Stadium
Kick-off: 5:30pm
The stage is set
With the eyes of the rugby league fraternity tuning in from around the country to watch Sunday's decider, a familiarity with playing on the big stage will be a great benefit to both teams.
Luckily for the Dragons, they head into the game with a wealth of experience to draw from following the 2019 NRLW grand final.
Although unsuccessful on the day, Kezie Apps, Keeley Davis, Holli Wheeler and Shaylee Bent all boast grand final experience while Dragons assistant coach and former Bronco Meg Ward is yet to miss an NRLW grand final.
Not to mention head coach Jamie Soward who guided the Dragons' NRL team to their premiership in 2010 during his playing career.
Four players remain from the Roosters' 2018 grand final team – Brydie Parker, Isabelle Kelly, Sarah Togatuki and Zahara Temara – while seven remain from the 2020 decider.
NRLW Dally M awards
Don't go thinking Sunday's big dance is the only exciting thing happening this week. The 2021 Female Dally M medallist will be announced on Thursday in the NRL's first-ever women's awards ceremony.
The Dally M medal is awarded to the player of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership based on a 3-2-1 voting system throughout the season.
We're no mind readers but we're sure a certain Dragons fullback will be right in contention for the award.
Changing of the guard
A testament to the Dragons' off-season recruitment drive is the difference in teams since the last time the Red V faced the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Injury, form and suspension obviously dictate the current squad but such is the comparison in depth to Round 20, 2021, the Dragons are certainly better off nowadays.
Only Mat Feagai, Talatau Amone, Ben Hunt, Andrew McCullough, Tariq Sims, Josh Kerr and Jackson Ford remain in the 17 for this weekend following the 50-14 loss to Souths eight months ago.
