WIN Stadium will play host to Saturday's Round 25 NRL game between St. George Illawarra Dragons and Melbourne Storm. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Melbourne Storm heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Melbourne Storm game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Saturday August 19, 2023 at 7:35 pm
Where: WIN Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm Odds
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm Preview
Also-ran St George Illawarra have been causing a few finals hopefuls some problems of late, but on the back of a statement win in Round 24, Melbourne is a $1.14 favourite to get the result in Wollongong.
The second-last Saints have lost six of their last seven, with their only win coming against the Tigers. But they were unlucky in recent losses to Manly and Parramatta, while Souths had trouble putting them away 26-14 in a low-quality affair in Cairns last Saturday.
The Dragons get centre Zac Lomax (shoulder) and prop Francis Molo (concussion) back this week.
Uncharacteristically inconsistent in 2023, the Storm have been stuck in a win-loss pattern since Round 17. But they took a significant step towards sealing yet another top-four finish when they bounced back from a 26-6 loss at Penrith with a 48-2 dismantling of Canberra.
Jahrome Hughes was outstanding after missing the Panthers clash, while fullback Nick Meaney had another blinder. The Storm are unchanged with Ryan Papenhuyzen to again play in the Queensland Cup.
The Storm have won four of their last five against the Dragons, including one-sided victories in the sole 2021 (44-18) and 2022 (42-6) clashes. The Saints have won seven of their last 10 home games against the Storm, however.
Melbourne seem destined for long-awaited back-to-back wins but its another Round 25 fixture where the underdog hosts are being afforded too big a start. The Dragons should make a game of their last game at WIN Stadium in 2023.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Melbourne Storm to win at $1.17 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: Xavier Coates at $6.75.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Melbourne Storm Teams
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 11. Billy Burns 12. Dan Russell 13. Michael Molo 14. Connor Muhleisen 15. Ryan Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Zane Musgrove 18. Toby Couchman 19. Sione Finau 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Paul Turner 22. Max Feagai
Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. Reimis Smith 3. Marion Seve 4. Young Tonumaipea 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Bronson Garlick 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Tepai Moeroa 17. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 18. Alec MacDonald 19. William Warbrick 20. Jonah Pezet 21. Tariq Sims 22. Tyran Wishart