The vastly improved Dragons get the sternest test of just how far they have come in 2024 when they host defending champs Penrith at WIN Stadium.
Sitting outside the eight on points differential only, the Dragons face the Panthers and then Melbourne in consecutive weeks – two games that hold the key to whether they surge into contention or fall out of the finals race.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will be proud of what his team have done so far but he knows if they are to be taken seriously they must aim up against the might of the Panthers, who welcomed their main man Nathan Cleary back on Sunday in a thrilling win over the Dolphins.
Barely skipping a beat after seven games out with a hamstring injury, the ice cool Cleary nailed a long-range field goal in golden point to get his team home 28-26 and with co-captain Isaah Yeo set to return from a rest this weekend the Panthers are looking ominous again.
The Dragons need look no further than Round 13 this year for inspiration, knocking off the Panthers 22-10 at BlueBet Stadium, although the premiers were missing their posse of Origin stars.
Team News
Dragons: The return of Origin stars Zac Lomax and Ben Hunt sees Mikaele Ravalawa and Jesse Marschke (hamstring) make way while back-rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner is also good to go after missing the Broncos game with back spasms. Luciano Leilua shifts to the bench and Jack Bird goes to 18th man. Mat Feagai (shoulder) and Blake Lawrie (shoulder) have both been named among the reserves.
Panthers: Origin trio Jarome Luai, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o are back on deck after being rested in Round 20 but fullback Dylan Edwards remains sidelined with a knee injury. Liam Henry goes back to the bench and Luron Patea makes way. Matt Eisenhuth drops to 18th man and Brad Schneider to the reserves.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.