With the pain of a Grand Final defeat to the Roosters six months ago no doubt still etched in their minds, the Dragons open their season against a Titans side who have added plenty of talent to their roster after finishing third in the 2021 regular season.
Last season it was the Dragons who denied the Gold Coast a spot in the Grand Final, with St George Illawarra edging past them 24-18 in the semi-finals, having earlier finished one spot ahead of them in the regular season.
Given they have retained more players from last season’s squad than any other in the competition, the Dragons will be confident of making a fast start under coach Jamie Soward, while the Gold Coast have bolstered their ranks with the addition of several representative players to Karyn Murphy's side.
The Dragons won the two head-to-head meetings last season, while both sides come off last-up victories at this week's venue, WIN Stadium.
Match: Dragons v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Dragons
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
4th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
The rundown
Team news
Dragons: Game day changes see Elsie Albert out with an ankle injury and skipper Kezie Apps move into the front row. Talei Holmes will start in the second row. NSW U-19 player Andie Robinson will make her NRLW debut on the wing.
Titans: Late change for the Titans see Premiership-winning forward Rona Peters moved to the starting side with Stephanie Hancock back to the bench. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith replaces Tazmin Gray in the second row. Kiwi Fern Roxy Murdoch joins the interchange. The NRLW's reigning top try-scorer Madison Bartlett and fellow off-season signing Apii Nicholls are the new additions to a star-studded backline.
Match: Dragons v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma TonegatoFullback for Titans is number 1 Apii Nicholls
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan BerryWinger for Titans is number 2 Karina Brown
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Keele BrowneCentre for Titans is number 3 Evania Pelite
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregorCentre for Titans is number 4 Jasmine Peters
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Andie RobinsonWinger for Titans is number 5 Madison Bartlett
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah FuimaonoFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kimiora Breayley-Nati
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Titans is number 7 Lauren Brown
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Tegan DymockProp for Titans is number 8 Shannon Mato
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley DavisHooker for Titans is number 9 Brittany Breayley-Nati
-
Prop for Dragons is number 11 Kezie AppsProp for Titans is number 14 Rona Peters
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Zara Canfield
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 15 Talei Holmes2nd Row for Titans is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Holli WheelerLock for Titans is number 13 Georgia Hale
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Quincy DoddInterchange for Titans is number 10 Steph Hancock
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Monalisa SoliolaInterchange for Titans is number 15 Jessika Elliston
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Tara McGrath-WestInterchange for Titans is number 17 Laikha Clarke
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Renee TargettInterchange for Titans is number 18 Roxy Murdoch
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 19 Zali HopkinsReplacement for Titans is number 19 Jetaya Faifua
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Player to watch: Georgia Hale
After starring for the Titans in their debut campaign last season, Hale will again be a key weapon with her ability to serve as both a top-class playmaker and a workaholic middle forward in the lock position. Earlier this year when the Kiwi Ferns beat Tonga in a mid-year Test, Hale powered through 194 run metres and made 28 tackles on her way to Player of the Match honours.
Stat attack
The Dragons had the best discipline in the NRLW last season, giving away an average of just 5.1 penalties per game, more than two penalties less than the competition's most ill-disciplined side, the Knights. The Titans averaged 6.2 penalties conceded across their six games in the 2021 campaign.
Match: Dragons v Titans
Round 1 -
home Team
Dragons
3rd Position
away Team
Titans
4th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
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