St George Illawarra Dragons

The Dragons traditionally have strong support in Brisbane and they'll be hoping a large Red V contingent can help them return to the form that carried them to three wins on the trot before Sunday's loss to the Storm.

The Titans were in the hunt early in the second half when they trailed 24-16 but four tries in 15 minutes to the James Tedesco-inspired Roosters consigned them to a fifth loss on the trot.

Melbourne backed up their record-breaking performance when they pummelled the Warriors at the venue on ANZAC day with another crushing effort against the Knights.

The Dragons, however, will go into the game with plenty of confidence after a string of wins against Newcastle, the Roosters and Wests Tigers.

St George Illawarra's biggest strength has been getting the opposition into an arm wrestle before winning the key moments in recent weeks. If they're to do similiar against the Storm then they'll give themselves every chance of causing an upset.

In a low scoring contest until the 58th minute, the Tigers led 2-0 for most of the match before an individual effort from Hunt gave the Dragons the lead.

From there the Red V repelled four Wests Tigers sets on their own defensive line before the injection of Sullivan late proved a masterstroke with the 20-year-old darting over from close range. 

The Dragons lost star five-eighth Jack Bird pre-game due to a knee injury with Talatau Amone earning another starting opportunity and Sullivan coming onto the bench as a back-up utility.

Back-to-back wins for both the Dragons and Wests Tigers the past fortnight sets up a mouth watering clash at WIN Stadium on Sunday to conclude round eight.

It wasn't too long ago both clubs, players and coaches were under pressure with heavy losses to start the year. 

The Dragons' ANZAC day win over the Roosters was clinical to start before they rolled up their sleeves and defended their way to victory.

Nine News reporter Danny Weidler revealed Sims has signed a contract to join the Storm in 2023, but the two clubs are currently hashing out a deal to make the move happen as early as this week.

"Melbourne want Tariq Sims to be playing for them now," Weidler said.

"They want him to boost their team now, and I think that could actually happen.

Lomax broke a 16-16 deadlock with two minutes left on the clock before the Dragons kept the ball alive on the last on the stroke of full-time with Feagai crossing for his second of the afternoon in the win.

It was an enthralling encounter between the two clubs, who were equally as desperate to turn their early season form around after sluggish starts.

The Dragons enjoyed 56 percent of possession in the opening half to set up an 8-0 lead but didn't have it all their way with Newcastle repelling their attack and hitting the lead midway through the second half.

A career season to date provided due reward for Albert whose fan favourite status expanded in leaps and bound throughout the Dragons' run to the NRLW grand final.

The major club honour also caps off an incredible campaign for Tonegato, who additionally won the Dally M Medal (joint with Brisbane Broncos forward Millie Boyle) and the RLPA Players' Champion last week.

Dragons NRLW coach Jamie Soward named back-rower Shaylee Bent as his coach's award recipient.

“It’s overwhelming,” Albert says.

“Especially the first time I came, but with good people around me I get comfortable and more accustomed to the way of lifestyle here so it’s good.”

Albert arrived to the Dragons from Papua New Guinea for her second campaign at the club last year before the pandemic postponed the season, forcing her to make a decision on whether to remain in Australia or head home.

Her first experience in the NRLW was a challenge on the field as well as off it, so you wouldn't have blamed her if she didn't want to stay.

The Eels made a statement with their early sets, dominating the Dragons physically, capitalising when Dylan Brown danced past Moses Mbye and Jack Gosiewski to open the scoring.

Mitch Moses noticed Mbye well out of position to kick ahead and score himself to make it 12-0 after 17 minutes, but the Eels seemed to let their foot off the gas for a period thereafter. 

Jack Bird finished off an enterprising Dragons try late in the half with a late penalty goal making it 12-8 at the break.

Parramatta were far from perfect but a third straight win over the always-tough Storm will have them buoyed ahead of their return to CommBank Stadium this Sunday night.

While the Dragons opened their season with a win before going close to upsetting the premiers in round two, their last-start collapse will require a re-set.