Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons NRL Betting Tips - Dogs to dominate in Round 1 in Las Vegas
The Canterbury Bulldogs are gearing up for a crucial season opener against the St George Illawarra Dragons in Las Vegas. With a robust defense, the Bulldogs have managed to win five consecutive matches against the Dragons and aim to extend their winning streak. Last season, they excelled in defensive metrics, conceding an average of 9.6 points per game in the first five rounds. The Bulldogs are expected to dominate by covering the line, while Setu Tu of the Dragons could be a key figure in scoring.
- Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons expert predictions for Sunday’s Round 1 NRL game
- Bulldogs have won the last 5 games against Dragons
- Canterbury was top 3 in defensive metrics last season
- Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview
- Head to Head Stats
- Canterbury Bulldogs Defence To Be Key
- Canterbury Bulldogs Team News & Team List
- St George Illawarra Dragons Show Positives In Pre-Season
- St George Illawarra Dragons Team News & Team List
Canterbury Bulldogs vs St George Illawarra Dragons Preview
Canterbury’s defence is tipped to be the key factor in this Round 1 clash in Las Vegas. The Bulldogs won six straight to start the year in 2025 and can make a winning start to the 2026 campaign by covering the line.
- Canterbury have won 5 straight against the Dragons.
- The Bulldogs were top 3 in almost all defensive metrics last season, over the first 5 rounds they allowed an average of just 9.6 pts per game to opponents.
- Canterbury allowed just 17% of opposition tries through the middle last season meaning the edges are more likely to see action.
- Setu Tu scored and set up a try, had 160+ run metres, plus a bunch of tackle busts in his two pre-season games.
Head to Head Stats
Canterbury have won five straight against St George Illawarra including both meetings last season, 28-20 in the early matchup and 20-18 mid year.
Totals have alternated over the last five but only once have the Dragons scored 20+ pts. Canterbury have also covered in four of those five games.
Canterbury Bulldogs Defence To Be Key
This is essentially a make or break season for the Bulldogs. They have spent the better part of the last 5 years rebuilding the club from the ground up but now they can no longer hide behind that wall. They are right where they need to be.
There were basically no first team players in the first pre-season outing against the Cowboys where they lost 34-30. But the 28-0 win over the Knights showed the defence is still there and that their scoring woes might be starting to disappear.
That was their main problem in 2025, they could lock teams down and keep games close but when they needed to put points on the board, they often fell short. They haven’t dramatically altered the roster, so the only way that happens is individual improvement or structural game play difference. Time will tell.
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News & Team List
Matt Burton has made a miraculous recovery to be named in the starting side following an injury in the Bulldogs last trial match. Marcelo Montoya has also been named on the wing despite injury concerns.
Sean O’Sullivan is the current 18th man should Burton pull up lame prior to kickoff.
Sam Hughes will partner Max King in the front row with Leo Thompson out.
1. Connor Tracey
2. Jacob Kiraz3. Bronson Xerri4. Stephen Crichton (c)5. Marcelo Montoya6. Matt Burton7. Lachlan Galvin8. Max King9. Bailey Hayward10. Samuel Hughes11. Viliame Kikau12. Jacob Preston13. Jaeman Salmon
Interchange14. Kurt Mann15. Sitili Tupouniua16. Harry Hayes17. Josh Curran
Reserves19. Sean O'Sullivan20. Jake Turpin21. Enari Tuala22. Jonathan Sua23. Alekolasimi Jones
St George Illawarra Dragons Show Positives In Pre-Season
While its hard to take anything from pre-season trial games, the positives with this team is that there hasn’t been a lot of turnover in key positions and that shone through in combinations during their first two hitouts.
Setu Tu will be a bright spark on the wing for the club this season and is likely to grab a few tries as he finds his way in the NRL.
But the Dragons are still not a fantastic team on paper, their stars are aged and the spine is just ok. The defence has problems and when injuries eventually strike, their depth will be called into question.
St George Illawarra Dragons Team News & Team List
Setu Tu has nabbed a starting wing spot ahead of Mat Feagai and Tyrell Sloan who both feature in the reserves. Val Holmes will play after a hamstring strain hampered his pre-season.
Daniel Atkinson is the starting halfback with Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth. Hamish Stewart will look to make the lock position his own following Jack De Belin’s departure to the Eels. Josh Kerr is on the bench, back for his second stint at the Dragons.
1. Clint Gutherson (c)
2. Christian Tuipulotu
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Setu Tu
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Daniel Atkinson
8. Emre Guler
9. Damien Cook (c)
10. Toby Couchman
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Hamish Stewart
Interchange
14. Hame Sele
15. Josh Kerr
16. Blake Lawrie
17. Ryan Couchman
Reserves
18. Lyhkan King-Togia
19. David Fale
20. Jacob Halangahu
21. Mathew Feagai
22. Tyrell Sloan
Verdict
Take the Bulldogs to win and cover the line, the Game Total Under and Setu Tu to score for the Dragons.
Bulldogs -7.5
Line
@9/10 - 2 Units
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Under 40.5
Game Total
@9/10 - 2 Units
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Setu Tu
Anytime Tryscorer
@28/17 - 1 Unit
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Setu Tu
First Tryscorer
@12/1 - 1 Unit
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