Dragons v Bulldogs NRL betting preview & Round 1 tips | March 8

Dragons vs Bulldogs NRL R1 best bets

NRL Round 1: St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury Bulldogs preview

St George Illawarra and Canterbury reignite their rivalry at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium this Saturday, with the Bulldogs entering as $1.60 bookmaker favourites for Round 1 of the 2025 NRL season.

The Dragons are in a rebuilding phase under Shane Flanagan, having undergone a significant squad overhaul, while the Bulldogs will be looking to build on their momentum from last season’s finals appearance.

The Dragons enter the season with a completely new spine, featuring Clint Gutherson, Lachlan Ilias, Damien Cook, and Kyle Flanagan. While their pre-season form was impressive, with convincing wins over the Roosters and Rabbitohs, the true test comes in the regular season. The loss of Ben Hunt and Zac Lomax leaves a void in creativity and game management that will take time to replace.

The Canterbury Bulldogs, meanwhile, bring stability and continuity, with their core lineup from 2024 largely intact. Matt Burton and Toby Sexton lead the attack, while Stephen Crichton and Bronson Xerri provide strike power out wide.

The absence of Josh Curran (suspension) and Jacob Kiraz (injury) is a setback, but Canterbury’s dominance over the Dragons in recent years — three straight wins, including a 44-12 thrashing in 2024 — gives them a clear mental edge.

Dragons v Bulldogs Rd 1 team news

St George Illawarra Dragons

1. Clint Gutherson
2. Max Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Christian Tuipulotu
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Toby Couchman
9. Damien Cook
10. Emre Guler
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack De Belin
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Ryan Couchman
16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner
17. Hamish Stewart

Shane Flanagan has named a new-look spine with Clint Gutherson at fullback and Damien Cook at hooker. Kyle Flanagan and Lachlan Ilias combine in the halves for the first time, while Valentine Holmes adds strike power in the centres. Jacob Liddle, Ryan Couchman, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, and Hamish Stewart make up the interchange.

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Canterbury Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey
2. Blake Wilson
3. Broncos Xerri
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Marcelo Montoya
6. Matt Burton
7. Toby Sexton
8. Max King
9. Reed Mahoney
10. Samuel Hughes
11. Viliame Kikau
12. Jacob Preston
13. Kurt Mann
14. Bailey Hayward
15. Sitili Tupouniua
16. Harry Hayes
17. Jaeman Salmon

Josh Curran’s suspension sees Kurt Mann named at lock, while Marcelo Montoya returns on the wing in place of Jacob Kiraz. Sitili Tupouniua debuts off the bench alongside Bailey Hayward, Harry Hayes, and Jaeman Salmon.

Dragons v Bulldogs betting predictions

The Bulldogs enter this match as deserving favourites, boasting a more settled lineup and strong defensive record. Their ability to control the middle of the field and limit opposition scoring opportunities makes them a solid pick to cover the -3.5 line at -111.11 with BetOnline. The Dragons have made exciting additions, but building chemistry takes time, and a first-round clash against a well-drilled Bulldogs outfit could prove too much.

Marcelo Montoya is a proven finisher on the wing, and his return to Canterbury’s backline should result in plenty of opportunities to cross the line. With the Bulldogs expected to dominate field position and create space on the edges, Montoya represents great value in the anytime tryscorer market at +135 with the top rugby league betting sites. If you’re looking for more upside, he is paying +950 to score the first try, which is appealing given the Bulldogs’ tendency to target the wings early in matches.

Expect an entertaining, high-scoring contest, with both teams boasting dangerous attacking weapons. The Bulldogs were one of the highest-scoring teams in 2024, averaging over 24 points per game in their last eight matches, while the Dragons showed strong attacking potential in the pre-season. With question marks over both sides’ defensive efficiency, over 39.5 total points at -111.11 with BetOnline looks like a strong play.

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