• Home
  • Rugby League
  • NRL

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders Preview & Tips - Raiders pray for NRL miracle

jeremy-darke
Editor
Last updated: 05 Sep 2024
Jeremy Darke 05 Sep 2024
Share this article
Or copy link
  • St George Dragons vs Canberra Raiders expert predictions for Saturday’s Round 27 NRL game
  • Canberra win predicted with a strong record against Dragons
  • Dragons missing top 8 after recent poor form
Expired
St George Dragons vs Canberra Raiders
Dragons and Raiders (Getty)

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders Preview


Both sides are bidding to snatch a top 8 spot in the finals and the Canberra Raiders are backed to win the final match and give themselves a chance.
  • St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canberra Raiders Preview
  • Head to Head 
  • St George Illawarra Dragons Form
  • St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
  • St George Dragons Team List
  • Canberra Raiders Form
  • Canberra Raiders Team News
  • Canberra Raiders Team List

  • Canberra have won the past three matches against the Dragons.
  • The Dragons have won just 50% of their games at Nestrata Jubilee Stadium this season.
  • The Raiders have conceded less than 26.5 points in 7 of their past 9 matches.
  • Dragons right side defence has allowed 41% of the team’s tries this season.

Head to Head 


This is the first time the clubs will play each other this season with the Canberra Raiders coming into this matchup winning the last three contests against St George, including both matches in 2023 by an average margin of eight points.

Canberra have a stronghold over St George since the 2019 season, winning seven of the nine matches played.

St George Illawarra Dragons Form


The Saints had the finals in their grasp but let it slip through their fingers with two consecutive losses that has them missing the top eight for the sixth consecutive season.

The Dragons almost pulled off a miracle last week down 44-12 with 10 minutes remaining against the Eels, bringing it back to 44-40 but it was just too little too late.

Attitude has been a question for the Dragons over the past few years and despite Shane Flanagan taking control of the club in 2024, it has still been an issue. 

The departure of Zac Lomax and the likelihood of Ben Hunt leaving will give the Dragons a fresh start in 2025, with commitment and pride week in and week out needed to get this club back to playing in September.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team News


Mikaele Ravalawa and Max Feagai drop out of the starting side and are replaced by Moses Suli and Jack Bird with Mathew Feagai coming onto the wing.

Jacob Liddle will return after missing the last match due to the birth of his child, while Blake Lawrie returns to the bench with Ryan Couchman dropping out. 

St George Dragons Team List


1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Zac Lomax
3. Moses Suli
4. Jack Bird
5. Mathew Feagai
6. Lyhkan King-Togia
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Jacob Liddle
10. Jack de Belin
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su'A
13. Tom Eisenhuth

Interchange
14. Connor Muhleisen
15. Toby Couchman
16. Blake Lawrie
17. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

Reserves
18. Hamish Stewart
19. Michael Molo
20. Savelio Tamale
21. Max Feagai
​​​​​​​22. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Canberra Raiders Form


After winning just 2 matches in a 9-game stretched that dropped the Raiders outside the eight, they put in a massive effort to win their past two games against top contenders the Panthers and Roosters.

However, it is too little too late for the Canberra who will miss the finals unless the Dolphins and Knights draw and they win against the Dragons.

This was always going to be a development year for Ricky Stuart and the Green Machine and in my opinion they have done a good job. We have seen some great performances from their young stars like Kaeo Weeks, Xavier Savage, Ethan Strange and Chevy Stewart. 

Canberra have finished as predicted, just outside the eight but have given their young stars a good crack and could be a team back on the rise in the coming seasons.  

Canberra Raiders Team News


Jordan Rapana and Ellitiot Whitehead have played their final games for the club missing this week through injury and suspension respectively. 

Kaeo Weekes moves back to fullback with Ethan Strange playing five-eight and Jamal Fogarty returning from a hamstring injury.

Simi Sasagi will start in the backrow with Trey Mooney joining the bench.

Canberra Raiders Team List


1. Kaeo Weekes
2. Albert Hopoate
3. Matthew Timoko
4. Sebastian Kris
5. Xavier Savage
6. Ethan Strange
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Papali’i 
9. Tom Starling  
10. Joseph Tapine
11. Hudson Young
12. Simi Sasagi
13. Morgan Smithies

Interchange
14. Danny Levi
15. Corey Horsburgh
16. Ata Mariota
17. Trey Mooney

Reserves
18. James Schiller
19. Zac Woolford
20. Emre Guler
21. Jed Stuart
​​​​​​​22. Adam Cook

Verdict

The Raiders will win as the underdog, keeping the Dragons under 26.5 points in the process.

Best Bet1: Canberra Raiders Money Line @5/4 at bet365 - 3 Units
Best Bet2: St George Under 26.5 Team Total @11/12 at Betgoodwin - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Albert Hopoate Anytime Tryscorer @6/5 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Albert Hopoate First Tryscorer @12/1 at Hollywood bets - 1 Unit
Canberra Raiders
Money Line
@5/4 - 3 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS

Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet at bet365
St George Under 26.5
Team Total
@11/12 - 2 Units
£100 Free Bet Refund
with promo code NEWBONUS

Join betgoodwin with promo code NEWBONUS and get access to their £100 Free Bet Refunds offer. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Betgoodwin
Albert Hopoate
Anytime Tryscorer
@6/5 - 1 Unit
Register to reveal offers

T&Cs apply. Over 18s only. Gambleaware.org

Bet at Star Sports
Albert Hopoate
First Tryscorer
@12/1 - 1 Unit
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS

Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Hollywood bets

Top Betting Sites

special-offer-1Betting offers

Upcoming Events

21 September 2024

  • 2024 Ayr Gold Cup -
  • Horse Racing
Load More
07 Sep 2024

St George Dragons v Canberra Raiders