Monday, ANZ Stadium, 7pm
Referee: Sean Hampstead

After looking fairly comfortable in the top eight a couple of weeks ago, the Dragons have slipped back into the ruck a bit and could do with a win here to reinforce their position. They have lost two in a row - against Canberra and Melbourne - after winning seven straight. They were disappointing against the Raiders, but produced a good performance against the Storm, when they played with 12 men for most of the match after prop Jason Ryles was sent off. If they are on their game here they should win, but they need to be wary of what could happen if they give the Bulldogs a sniff.

The Bulldogs have been mostly poor recently, but they did stun the Broncos with a well-earned win on the road two rounds back. Superstar Sonny Bill Williams was strong that day, but was then forced out of last weekend's game against the Warriors with injury. The Bulldogs lost that one 40-22. Williams is due back for this game and if he produces another rampaging performance and his teammates follow his lead, the Dragons could have a difficult game on their hands. It is up to the Dragons to play sensibly and patiently and wait for their chances, rather than try to force things and make mistakes.

DRAGONS: Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Mark Gasnier (capt), Matt Cooper, Josh Morris, Jamie Soward, Ben Hornby, Justin Poore, Dean Young, Jason Ryles, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Lagi Setu. Interchange: Kirk Reynoldson, Dan Hunt, Jarrod Saffy, Rangi Chase, Matt Prior, Stuart Webb, Chase Stanley (three to be omitted)

BULLDOGS: Brent Crisp, Hazem El Masri, Daryl Millard, Tim Winitana, Heka Nanai, Daniel Holdsworth, Arana Taumata, Jarrad Hickey, Corey Hughes, Fred Briggs, Sonny Bill Williams, Andrew Ryan (capt), Reni Maitua. Interchange: Chris Armit, Lee Te Maari, John Kite, Ben Roberts