NRL Round 26 Preview and Prediction - St.George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs @ ANZ Stadium

St. George Illawarra Dragons (9th) v Canterbury Bulldogs (12th) @ ANZ Stadium
 
Preview - Two Sydney rivals clash here, with the Bulldogs looking to spoil the Dragons’ finals party at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs have finally played with a bit of joy and a bit of life in the past 2 weeks, comfortably accounting for both the Sea Eagles and Titans. The Bulldogs have now racked up 56 points combined in the past 2 games, after going 15 straight rounds without scoring more than 20 points in a single game. The Dragons salvaged their season, with an incredibly gutsy 16-14 come-from-behind victory against the Panthers, in tough conditions at Pepper Stadium on Sunday. The equation for the Dragons is not simple - beat the Bulldogs and hope either Manly or the Cowboys, who are both underdogs, get rolled, to secure a spot in the finals. 

History - Earlier this season the Dogs stunned the Dragons 16-2 at the same venue in a stout defensive display. The Dragons have had a horror time against the Bulldogs of late with The Dogs on a five-game winning streak. The Dogs have also have 10 wins from the past 11 matches against the Red V. The Dragons have won just 3 from their their past 12 games at ANZ Stadium. 
 
St. George Illawarra Dragons’ Scouting Report - The Dragons have named Josh Dugan in the centres, despite being dropped last week after he missed the team bus to Penrith. It will be interesting to see whether he has regained the trust of the Senior Players, especially after the Dragons played so well without him. Kurt Mann, who played well in the centres last week, shifts to halfback, with Josh McCrone going back to the bench.
 
Canterbury Bulldogs’ Scouting Report - The Bulldogs could have a selection headache on their hands with both Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye due back from injury. Both Matt Frawley and Chase Stanley have done a serviceable job in the halves in the past couple of weeks in the Bulldogs’ big wins. Greg Eastwood and Brett Morris have played their last football of the season, with the pair both ruled out with injury. 
 
Verdict - Dragons by 4-12

I think this could be a really good game here, with the Bulldogs very capable of ambushing the Dragons if they are not on their game. The Dogs have been playing with a smile on their face the past two weeks and, after a couple of thumping victories, they have little to lose here and I expect them to throw caution to the wind. They would love nothing more than to end one of their rivals’ seasons. However, I have to say I was really impressed with the Dragons’ attitude last week and I don’t see them blowing this golden opportunity to get into the finals. I think this game will be close throughout, but the Dragons would have gathered plenty of belief from that tough road win against the Panthers last week, and I expect them to show that same fortitude in the final 20 minutes here to get them in to the finals.