St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Preview & Prediction | 2025 NRL | Regular Season
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St George Illawarra Dragons and Canterbury Bulldogs are set to kick off their 2025 NRL campaigns in an eagerly anticipated round one clash at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday
Start date/time: Saturday 8th March, 2025, UK – 6:30am / Local – 5:30pm / US ET – 1:30am / Friday 5th March, US PT – 10:30pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Matches are shared between Channel Nine & Fox League / USA – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / USA – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
St. George Illawarra Dragons Team News: Big rebuild for the Dragons under new coach Shane Flanagan
The Dragons have undergone a significant rebuild under new coach Shane Flanagan, bringing in several high-profile recruits to offset the departures of Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax. Veterans Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook have been named co-captains and are expected to provide much-needed leadership and experience. The additions of Valentine Holmes and Lachlan Ilias have also bolstered their attacking options, while talented youngster Hamish Stewart is set to make his NRL debut off the bench.
Canterbury Bulldogs Team News: Visitors looking to build on successful 2024 campaign
The Bulldogs are looking to build on their successful 2024 season, which saw them reach the finals for the first time in eight years. Led by captain Stephen Crichton and key forward Viliame Kikau, the Canterbury outfit demonstrated just how good they can be last year and the test now will be to repeat and ideally improve on that. However, they will be without the suspended Josh Curran along with injured duo Jacob Kiraz and Enari Tuala for this opener.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction
This match promises to be one of the more competitive matches of the opening round and it should be a great game to watch.
The Dragons look to have made plenty of improvements on paper but we can now assess whether those perceptions will come to fruition.
The Bulldogs have continuity on their side and they are coming off a really successful foundation to build on. They have won their last three meetings against the Dragons and playing them early in the season may just pay off. We favour the visitors to start the season with greater cohesion and we expect the Bulldogs to get the win here.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Tip: Canterbury Bulldogs to win
