The Dragons have shot out to a 24-6 lead over the Wests Tigers with wantaway star Zac Lomax starring.
But it’s not all good news for the Dragons with centre Jack Bird being ruled out of the game on the stroke of half time due to a head knock.
It took the Dragons just one minute to open the scoring through Lomax, who is reportedly set to sign with the Eels for 2025 after being granted an early release by the Red V.
MATCH CENTRE: Tigers vs. Dragons stats, scores, video
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The Tigers levelled the scores when Tigers skipper Api Koroisau delivered some magic.
Koroisau was at his crafty best when his double-pump out of dummy-half fooled the Dragons’ defence and opened up a gap for Stefano Utoikamanu to barge over.
“He is a magician… he is a wizard,” Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said, while expert analyst Michael Ennis called it a “bloody beautiful” play.
The Dragons, however, turned the momentum when Ben Hunt scooped up an offload and delivered a bullet pass to try-scorer Bird.
They went into half time with a 10-point buffer after Lomax out-lept a Tiger to catch a Hunt bomb and set up Kyle Flanagan.
A penalty goal saw the Dragons add two more points to their lead, before Jaydn Su’a crossed three minutes later after dancing around some tired Tigers defence.
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TEAMS
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Charlie Staines 3. Solomona Faataape 4. Justin Olam 5. Junior Tupou 6. Jayden Sullivan 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Alex Twal 16. Justin Matamua 17. Asu Kepaoa. 18th man: 21. Kit Laulilii
Dragons: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Zac Lomax 3. Moses Suli 4. Jack Bird 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Kyle Flanagan 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Hame Sele 17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Tom Eisenhuth 14. Jesse Marschke 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Jack de Belin 18. Ben Murdoch-Masila. 18th man: 20. Michael Molo
MATCH PREVIEW
Both the Tigers and Dragons are chasing their third wins of the season when the two clubs clash at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday.
The Tigers won two straight before going down to the Dolphins last weekend, while the Dragons were thrashed by the Knights in extremely wet conditions.
Benji Marshall’s men will be missing two key forwards in John Bateman and Samuela Fainu, who failed HIA’s last week. They have been replaced by Justin Matamua and Asu Kepaoa.
The Dragons, meanwhile, welcome back new recruit Hame Sele and Ben Murdoch-Masila joins the bench.
Hooker Jacob Liddle will celebrate his 100th NRL game ironically against his former club.