NRL Round 13 Preview and Prediction - St.George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers @ ANZ Stadium

St. George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - The Dragons will be looking to maintain their spot in the Top 4 when they take on a downtrodden and struggling Wests Tigers’ side on Saturday afternoon at ANZ Stadium. The Dragons bounced back from a worrying 3-game losing streak with a highly impressive 30-10 victory over the Warriors in Waikato without key players in Dugan, Widdop and Aitken. The Dragons have showed far more verve and purpose with the football in hand this year and are ranked 2nd in attack, after struggling so much in that area during much of Paul McGregor’s tenure at the Club. The Tigers, on the other hand, are on a desperate form slump having lost their last 3 games and having been belted in their last two. The Tigers have been beaten by a cobbled score of 64-8 in the last 2 rounds and never looked likely during their 36-0 loss to the Broncos. To give you an indication of the Tigers’ problems, they have clearly the worst attack in the competition and the 2nd worst defence, just 3 points better off than Newcastle. 
 
History - The Dragons ran out comfortable winners earlier this year back in Round 6, winning 28-6 in a game they controlled from start to finish. The Dragons have won 5 from their past 9 against the Tigers including 4 from the past 5 clashes at ANZ Stadium. Overall, the Dragons have 18 wins to the Tigers 15 in head to head clashes between the two Clubs. 
 
St. George Illawarra Dragons’ Scouting Report - Mystery surrounds the Dragons’ outfit with both NSW Origin players, Tyson Frizzle and Josh Dugan, named on the extended reserves list. Given they both got through the Origin game on Wednesday night, I would expect them both to play, which would be Dugan’s first game for a month for the Dragons. Another timely inclusion could be starting five-eight and Captain Gareth Widdop who is named on the same extended bench. The Dragons have won just 1 from 4 games without Widdop and he would add much needed strike power to a side that has plenty of forward power and tenacity. 
 
Wests Tigers’ Scouting Report - The Tigers give a debut to Tuimoala Lolohea who joins the Club from the Warriors on a mid-season transfer. Lolohea will slot straight into the Number 6 jersey with Mitchell Moses having left for Parramatta and Luke Brooks still out with a hamstring injury. The Tigers also have some changes in the forwards with Josh Aloiai out with injury and Sauso Sue out with suspension. Chris Lawrence returns from injury whilst Kyle Lovett wins a start in the back row for the first time this season. 
 
Verdict - Dragons by 19 + 

The Tigers are going like shot ducks at the moment and I can't see that changing against a confident Dragons’ side with star players returning. If Dugan, Widdop and Frizzle all back up, I expect this to be a cakewalk for the Dragons and for them to win this game by 20+ points. The first time these two sides clashed the Dragons bashed the Tigers in the forwards and I think that will be exactly the case here, which will lay the platform for a big win for the Dragons. The Tigers’ defence has often been poor over the years, however the real concern for this year is they are slow and disorganised in attack. Tedesco has only scored 1 try this season which gives you an indication of the side’s lack of ability and confidence with the football.