After nine rounds and two weeks of finals, the Bulldogs and Dragons have outlasted 14 other teams to earn a spot in the SG Ball Cup Grand Final.
Taking place at CommBank Stadium on Saturday,ย Zero Tackleย previews the clash that will see one team enter the record books as the 2024 SG Ball Cup premiers.
St George Dragons
Coached by Willie Talau, the Dragons are aiming to secure their first SG Ball Cup title in 32 years and have put together one of the best junior teams in the club's history.
Their position in the Grand Final is even more remarkable, considering they finished 11th in the competition last year and are in their first finals in over a decade.
"I loved our mentality towards competing," Talau said viaย Dragons Media.
"Everything we spoke about and practised, we executed... There's always room for improvement but the improvements for us are only subtle.
"We play a simple but effective brand of footy based around effort towards teamwork and it's something that our group have committed to throughout the entire season."
Player to Watch:ย Jesse Williams
The winger enters the game after scoring a hattrick against the Knights last week and has been one of the club's best players throughout the entirety of the season.
Williams, the SG Ball Cup trop try-scorer, has scored 18 tries this season, including two hattricks and five doubles and he has also made 15 line breaks.
Canterbury Bulldogs
Filled with confidence, the Bulldogs just scraped into the finals but are coming off a dominant victory over the Roosters - who were easily the best team in the competition this year - with the majority of the roster coming from the premiership-winning 2023 Harold Matthew Cup team.
Coached by Steve Turner, the club have excelled in the finals series, scoring 70 points compared to letting in 32.
Some members of the squad are also motivated to continue their winning streak in the junior representative levels heading into the clash.
"Earning a spot in the Grand Final is a great reward for the commitment and connection they have built as the season has gone on," Turner told Bulldogs Media.
"The group is looking forward to the week ahead."
Player to Watch:ย Mitchell Woods
One of the best playmaking prospects in rugby league, Woods has played an instrumental role in creating them into the premiership contender. A talented multi-code athlete, Woods has created a strong combination with Alex Conti and joined after winning the Harold Matthew Cup last season.
Playing in the halves, Woods has provided two try assists, seven line-breaks and scored five tries, while his leadership on the field has been influential.
Teams (Head to Head)
Fullback: Tyler Peckham-Harris / Roy Tatupu
Wing: Zachariah Nachar / Hamish Wilson
Centre: David Afu / Shaye Fa'aoga
Centre: Lyrci Craft-Te Moananui / Sosaia Kaufusi
Wing: Jesse Williams / Ratu Rainakama
Five-Eighth: Shadi Hammoud (c) / Alex Conti
Halfback: Brandon Tikinau / Mitchell Woods (c)
Prop: Ryan Hutchinson / Fanafou Seve
Hooker: Isaiah Fagalilo / Mitchell Rogers
Prop: Loko Pasifiki Tonga / Oliva Smith
Second Row: Jacob Halangahu / Logan Spinks
Second Row: Cyrus Stanely-Traill / Sosaia Alatini
Lock: Finau Latu / Bud Smith
Interchange:
14. Angus Clark / Patrick Young
15. Corey Ackers / Sione Siulua
16. Viliami Hikila / Sosefo Finau
17. Risiate Smythe / David Leota
Last Time They Met
The two sides have not faced each other yet this season, meaning the last time they played was in Round 1 of the 2023 SG Ball Cup season.
The Bulldogs would win 26-14, with Jordi Mazzone crossing the line for a hattrick and Fanafou Seve and Iverson Matai also adding a try to the scoreboard.
Road to the Grand Final
Round 1 - def by Sydney Roosters (26-36)
Round 2 - def Newcastle Knights (28-26)
Round 3 - drew with Penrith Panthers (22-22)
Round 4 - def Canberra Raiders (30-20)
Round 5 - def Parramatta Eels (32-16)
Round 6 - def Cronulla Sharks (50-18)
Round 7 - def Balmain Tigers (42-6)
Round 8 - def Illawarra Steelers (46-16)
Round 9 - def Melbourne Storm (40-6)
Finals Week 1 - def Parramatta Eels (42-10)
Finals Week 2 - def Sydney Roosters (28-22)
St George Dragons
Round 1 - def Penrith Panthers (26-24)
Round 2 - def Manly Sea Eagles (42-10)
Round 3 - def North Sydney Bears (60-10)
Round 4 - def by Newcastle Knights (16-14)
Round 5 - def Melbourne Storm (24-10)
Round 6 - def Sydney Roosters (46-10)
Round 7 - def Illawarra Steelers (18-4)
Round 8 - def Canberra Raiders (54-16)
Round 9 - def New Zealand Warriors (54-18)
Finals Week 2 - def Newcastle Knights (36-4)
How to Watch?
The 2024 SG Ball Cup Grand Final will be broadcast live onย NSWRL TV at 15:30 (AEST) on Saturday, April 27. The game can also be watched live in attendance at CommBank Stadium.
Early Prediction
Set to be an entertaining and close match,ย Zero Tackleย is predicting that the Canterbury Bulldogs will walk away as winners due to their experience in must-win circumstances and playing in finals.
The Dragons 32-year streak of not making the Grand Final may also play on the mind of the younger players in the squad.
