NRL Round 23 Preview - Tigers v Dragons @ Leichhardt Oval

Wests Tigers v St. George Illawarra Dragons @ Leichhardt Oval
 
Preview - The surging Tigers will be looking to continue their finals’ push when they host the free falling Dragons at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night. The Tigers managed to fall over the line in Canberra as they held on 22-20, after shooting out to an early 16-0 lead after a week of controversy surrounding their coach Ivan Cleary. The Dragons were simply horrible as they lost a 3rd straight game, and suffered injuries, in an embarrassing 40-4 defeat to the last placed Parramatta Eels. 
 
Wests Tigers Scouting Report - The Tigers are close to full strength for this must win clash, with one of their captains, Chris Lawrence, returning after six weeks out through injury. Mate Fonua also returns from a long-term injury to start in the centres. Kevin Naiqama shifts to the wing, and Malakai Watene-Zelezniak drops out of the side. 
 
St. George Illawarra Dragons’ Scouting Report - A huge loss for the Dragons with their captain Gareth Widdop out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder.  Kurt Mann starts at five-eight, with Cameron McInnes and Tyson Frizell to share the captaincy. Leeson Ah Mau is named to start, with Luciano Leilua on the bench, and Jacob Host returning from a shoulder injury on the interchange.
 
Verdict - Tigers by 4-12

Have to go with the Tigers here. I think in front of a sold-out Leichhardt Oval they have the momentum and the form on their side against a Dragons’ side that looks completely beaten up. Obviously there will be some sort of reaction from the Dragons, however the Tigers got them at Kogarah six weeks ago, and since then the Tigers have got better and the Dragons have got worse.