Dragons avoid captaincy controversy as battling teams make mass changes

The Dragons have turned to a first-time captain as they try to restore some pride after a couple of heavy defeats.

Jack de Belin won’t captain the Dragons this week, with local junior Blake Lawrie set to lead the side for the first time. Picture: NRL Photos

Blake Lawrie is set to skipper the Dragons for the first time, with the club opting not to hand Jack de Belin the captaincy as they did earlier in the season when they were beaten by the Dolphins.

With Ben Hunt away on Origin duty, the Dragons have turned to local junior Lawrie to lead the side against the Raiders in Wollongong as they try to restore some pride after a couple of heavy defeats in recent weeks.

Blake Lawrie will captain the Dragons for the first time. Picture: NRL Photos

It’s a new-look Dragons side, with Talatau Amone returning to partner Jayden Sullivan in the halves, while Paul Turner will make his club debut at fullback after Tyrell Sloan picked up a minor calf strain.

Moses Suli returns from a head knock in the centres, while Dan Russell will make his Dragons debut off the bench.

It’s a lot smoother for the Raiders, who will be without Queensland debutant Corey Horsburgh as they try to move into the top four.

He’s replaced at lock by Ata Mariota, with Trey Mooney and Peter Hola the new faces on the bench.

The round kicks off on Thursday night when the Wests Tigers will try to bounce back from their horrific 74-0 loss in Townsville.

Things won’t get easier, with outside backs David Nofoaluma and Brent Naden both ruled out with shoulder injuries, while Alex Twal has been suspended for a hip-drop tackle.

Alex Twal will miss the Sharks game due to suspension as the Wests Tigers try to bounce back from last week’s awful loss. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

They face a Sharks side that has the second-best attack in the league and has an unchanged backline, with Nicho Hynes missing out on Origin selection, although they are without the suspended Dale Finucane.

The Sharks are also missing Braden Hamlin-Uele due to a rib injury but they do get Toby Rudolf back for the first time since round 5.

Much like the Tigers, the Bulldogs are also seeking redemption after they were booed off the field last week following their 66-0 loss to the Knights.

Dumped Blues forward Tevita Pangai Junior has been dropped to the bench after he had just four carries in the loss, while fullback Hayze Perham hasn’t been selected.

Tevita Pangai Junior has been dropped to the bench. Picture: Julian Andrews

It’s led to a raft of changes, with Jake Averillo moving to fullback, while Jackson Topine starts at centre and Blake Wilson replaces Blues speedster Josh Addo-Carr on the wing.

The Bulldogs take on a South Sydney side that has been torn apart by Origin, with Cam Murray, Cody Walker, Damien Cook and Keaon Koloamatangi all unavailable, while Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham are injured.

It means Dean Hawkins gets another crack in the halves, Siliva Havili will start at hooker, Ben Lovett gets a go in the back row and Shaquai Mitchell has earnt a rare start at lock.

The Eels have also been hit hard by Origin with Clint Gutherson, Mitch Moses and Reagan Campbell-Gillard all with the Blues, although J’maine Hopgood is set to be released from Queensland camp to take on the Warriors.

Ryan Matterson again shifts into the halves, with Sean Russell named at fullback, while there is some good news, with Junior Paulo set to start after he was dropped by NSW.

The Eels are set to receive a boost with J'maine Hopgood to be released early from Origin camp. Picture: Emily Barker/Getty Images

The Warriors have named the same 17 that went down to the Rabbitohs, with Shaun Johnson set to play his 200th game for the club, although he could be a late scratching with his second child due soon.

And the Titans will be without their Origin quartet for the game against the Dolphins, with Jayden Campbell shifting to fullback and Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui starting at prop in place of his brother.

The Dolphins are a lot more settled, with Jeremy Marshall-King set to play despite his ongoing shoulder complaint, while they also welcome back Jarrod Wallace and Anthony Milford from suspension to offset the loss of Origin star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Originally published as Dragons avoid captaincy controversy as battling teams make mass changes