Following in the footsteps of Wayne Bennett was never going to be an easy task and that’s certainly proved the case for Dragon’s Coach Steve Price.

Price heads into his third season as Head Coach of the Dragons and with only a 35% winning strike rate from 48 games, needs for his side to improve dramatically if he is to remain in the position.

The Dragons finished fourteenth in the comp last year and only managed seven wins throughout the year, five of which came in the first half of the season.

The Dragons have lost a few key personal from last year’s roster. Matt Cooper has retired along with Nathan Fien whilst effective forward Michael Weyman is now playing in the UK.

Amongst those new to the club this year will be halves pairing of Michael Witt and Gareth Widdop.

Witt commenced his career at Parramatta back in 2003 before spending time with Manly and then the Warriors before tenures with UK clubs the Crusaders and London Broncos.

Widdop was the Dragons big signing during the off-season, offering him a large contract to lure him away from the Melbourne Storm.

They’ve got a lot of work in front of them this year to the Dragons and this first game will be made no easier with the absence of fullback Josh Duggan who injured a knee in the Charity Shield and is not expected to return until round 5.

The Tigers have a good balance of youth and experience on paper but it will be coach Mick Potter’s job to ensure the two mix effectively on the field.

Exciting half back Luke Brooks with partner veteran Braith Anasta in the halves whilst Pat Richards, who last played for the Tigers in the 2005 Grand Final winning side, returns to the club and is named on the wing.

The Tigers also experienced a tough time of it last year, finishing fifteenth on the ladder but were dogged by off-field drama surrounding Benji Marshall’s future and a crippling injury list.

They’ll get to start afresh here and would expect a vastly improved performance from them this year.

TIP: TIGERS @ $1.90

Odds Comparison:

St George Illawarra Dragons	1.92	1.83	1.84	1.83	1.92	1.80
Wests Tigers	1.92	2.00	2.00	2.00	1.92	2.00

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Teams:

St George Illawarra Dragons

Adam Quinlan, Brett Morris, Dylan Farrell, Gerard Beale, Jason Nightingale, Gareth Widdop, Michael Witt, Jack de Belin, Mitch Rein, Dan Hunt, Leeson Ah Mau, Ben Creagh (c), Trent Merrin

Interchange: Bronson Harrison, Kyle Stanley, Joel Thompson, Tyson Frizell, Mike Cooper (one to be omitted)

Wests Tigers

James Tedesco, Marika Koroibete, Keith Lulia, Chris Lawrence, Pat Richards, Braith Anasta, Luke Brooks, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah (c), Martin Taupau, Liam Fulton, Bodene Thompson, Adam Blair

Interchange: Cory Paterson, Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue, James Gavet