Sharks v Dragons: Round 2 preview

Plenty of eyes will be on Josh Dugan, who made a well documented off-season switch from the Dragons to arch rivals Cronulla.

In light of the incessant roasting Wests Tigers fans gave former golden boy James Tedesco in the round one stoush with the Roosters, it'll be interesting to see how Dugan is received by Dragons followers in his first home game in a Sharks jersey.

The Dragons' display in their convincing win over Brisbane was one of the more impressive performances in the opening round, while the Sharks were first-up losers to the Cowboys but were in striking distance until the closing stages.

In a long-standing annual battle for bragging rights, both teams will be looking to draw first blood in their initial meeting for 2018.

Thursday March 15, 8.05pm AEDT, Southern Cross Group Stadium

Head-to-head: 34 games, Storm 24 wins, Dragons 9 wins

Matches at the venue: 18 games, Sharks 11 wins, Dragons 7 wins

Last five games: Dragons 3 wins; Sharks 2 wins

2017 matches: Dragons won 16-10 in round 3; Sharks won 18-14 in round 10

2017 points per game: Sharks 19.8; Dragons 22.2

2017 points conceded per game: Sharks 17; Dragons 18.8

Televised: Nine, Fox League, NRL Live Pass

 

Author: 
www.nrl.com