NRL Round 3 Preview - Titans V Dragons @ CBUS Super Stadium

Gold Coast Titans v St. George Illawarra Dragons @ Clive Berghofer Stadium
 
Preview - The Dragons will be aiming for three straight victories to start 2018 when they head to Toowoomba to take on the 1-1 Titans. The Dragons have taken two big scalps to start 2018, knocking over the Broncos in Round 1, before coming from 14-0 down to beat local rivals the Sharks 20-16 at Shark Park last Thursday night, as they hung on in a game where they were nowhere near their best. The Titans really missed the attacking direction of Ash Taylor as he sat out their 20-8 loss to the Warriors at Mount Smart Stadium. The Titans hung tough in the game, however had several attacking opportunities that amounted to nothing on a frustrating afternoon, after a first up victory over the Raiders. 
 
History - Ten of the 17 clashes have been decided by six points or less including five of which were winning margins of just one or two points. St George Illawarra have won five of eight games against the Titans on the Gold Coast however have never played them in Toowoomba.
 
Gold Coast Titans’ Scouting Report - The Titans get a massive inclusion with halfback Ash Taylor returning from a hamstring injury. His return pushes Bryce Cartwright back to lock and Will Matthews to the bench. Jarrod Wallace returns from a two-game suspension on the bench, although he will be in strong contention to start in the front-row on game day.
 
St. George Illawarra Dragons’ Scouting Report - The Dragons have been well served by their pack at the start of 2018, with both Tyson Frizell and Jake De Belin putting forward early Origin cases. Jeremy Latimore has again been named in No.18, but will likely come into the side on game day for Hame Sele, as per the late change for the last two weeks.
 
Verdict -Dragons 1-12

I think the Dragons can keep the roll going here and account for the Titans, in what promises to be a tricky road trip. The Titans, to me, are still a bit too heavily reliant on Ash Taylor and, coming back from a hamstring injury, the Dragons might be able to get up in his face and put them off their game. The Titans have looked a bit loose defensively so far this year, and the Dragons have a strong side across the park, so I expect them to get the job done here and really confirm themselves as a side that means business this season.