The Dragons will be back at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Stadium to take on the Wests Tigers in the second and final week of the NRL’s Pre-season Challenge on Saturday night.
The Dragons’ relationship with the town has been cultivated over a long period of time with the Red V having featured in eight clashes at Glen Willow Oval since the start of 2018 and preparing for No.9 come Saturday night.
Match: Dragons v Wests Tigers
Round 2 -
home Team
Dragons
9th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
12th Position
Venue: Glen Willow Oval, Mudgee
Six of those clashes have been against the Rabbitohs in the annual Charity Shield fixture with the other two coming against the Raiders and Knights in Telstra Premiership fixtures.
The Mudgee locals are known for their love of rugby league and flex their passion each time the NRL visits, often showing up in capacity crowds.
Liddle looking forward to Mudgee hitout
This weekend marks the Dragons' first visit to Mudgee since last year's Charity Shield versus the Rabbitohs.
Key Timings:
Gates Open: 5.00pm
NSW Cup kick-off vs. Magpies: 5.30pm
NRL kick-off vs. Wests Tigers: 8.05pm
The Dragons are fresh off a 28-6 Charity Shield defeat at the hands of the Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.
The Wests Tigers, meanwhile, travelled to Christchurch for their opening clash of the NRL's Pre-Season Challenge coming away with a two-point win over the Warriors.
Having rewarded a collection of inexperienced players with significant game time a week ago, Dragons head coach Shane Flanagan has named a similar side for Saturday night's clash.
The run-on side remains the same with offseason recruit Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Dan Russell coming onto the extended interchange.
Dylan Egan, Savelio Tamale, Alec Tuitavake and Jonah Glover are the men who drop off the reserves list.
The two sides last met in Round 21 last year with the Dragons coming out on top 18-14 in a tight one at WIN Stadium with Zac Lomax, Mikaele Ravalawa, and Tyrell Sloan the try-scorers.
Highlights: Round 21 Dragons v Tigers
Fresh off an intraclub trial last Saturday, the Dragons Knock-On Effect NSW Cup side will also travel to Mudgee to take on the Western Suburbs Magpies in a trial match prior to the NRL clash.
