Mudgee, with its long-standing love affair with the Dragons, is buzzing as the Red V gears up for their ninth appearance since 2018 at the beloved Glen Willow Oval.
Having faced off in epic battles, including six sizzling Charity Shield matches against the Rabbitohs and fierce encounters with the Raiders and Knights, the Dragons are no strangers to Mudgee’s rugby league fever. The town is famed for its passionate crowds, ready to pack the stands to the brim, showing their undying love for the game.
This visit is the Dragons’ grand return since their clash with the Rabbitohs last year, and they’re hungry for victory after a recent 28-6 defeat. But, the Wests Tigers are hot on their heels, fresh from snatching a nail-biting win over the Warriors in Christchurch.
Coach Shane Flanagan is betting on his mix of seasoned warriors and eager newcomers, sticking to a winning lineup but spicing things up with offseason stars Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Dan Russell. It’s out with the old and in with the new, as Dylan Egan, Savelio Tamale, Alec Tuitavake, and Jonah Glover make way on the reserves list.
The last time these titans clashed, the Dragons clinched a thrilling 18-14 victory, with Zac Lomax, Mikaele Ravalawa, and Tyrell Sloan lighting up the scoreboard. Will history repeat itself, or will the Wests Tigers roar back?
But that’s not all – the Dragons’ NSW Cup squad is also hitting the road to Mudgee, setting the stage for a pre-game clash with the Western Suburbs Magpies.
