Dragons, Manly stars set to clash in private pre-season match simulation

The new look St George Illawarra spine will get their first proper hitout together, when the Dragons take on Manly in a private game simulation to shake-off the pre-season cobwebs.

Dragons recruit Lachlan Ilias will have his first serious hitout in 10-months, joining Clint Gutherson, Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes in his new colours in a private clash against Manly.

The special scrimmage session to be held on Friday will be the launch pad for some of the most anticipated off-season recruits and crucial combinations from both clubs prior to the 2025 season.

The 60-minute workout between St George Illawarra and Manly will be held behind closed doors at Jubilee Oval and follows on from this time last year when both clubs organised a similar hitout against each other.

“We find it’s a such a good thing to do because after so many weeks now of pre-season, it’s beneficial to be putting our hard work into practice against genuine opposition,” Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said.

“We’ll take all of our leading players including Daly (Cherry-Evans), Jake (Trbojevic) and ‘Turbo’ (Tom Trbojevic).”

To be officiated by NRL referees Adam Gee, Dave Munro and Jon Stone, the game simulation will be played at about 70 per cent physical force of an NRL game with strict rules around protecting players from late leg tackles or high shots.

New Dragons halfback Lachlan Ilias will have his first hit out in 10 months when his side take on Manly in a private clash against Manly. Picture: Dragons Instagram

The hitout will prove hugely beneficial for Ilias, who hasn’t played rugby league since suffering a tibial fracture in his right leg when playing in the NSW Cup for South Sydney last April.

Ilias represents a vital cog in the Dragons new-look spine of Gutherson, Cook and five-eighth Kyle Flanagan.

The hitout will allow the most influential figures for the Dragons in 2025 to batten down their timing, cohesion and connectivity in attack ahead of the new season.

“It’s been a long pre-season playing games against our NSW Cup at training, so it’s good to have such quality opposition to do some things that we’ve been practising in the off-season,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.

“It’s a controlled environment, so it’s not the pressure-cooker of an NRL game.

“But no doubt it’s a good chance for them (spine) to work on that combination with a side that is up in their face and pressuring them.”

Manly prop Siosiua Taukeiaho will have a hit out for his new club. Pic: Sea Eagles Digital

The Dragons will use the bulk of the NRL side during the scrimmage with new recruit Emre Guler, joining Jack de Belin, Jaydn Su’A, Luciano Leila and Blake Lawrie in the pack.

As for the Sea Eagles, Seibold will use the scrimmage session with a focus on solidifying his starting dummy-half selection for round one due to Lachlan Croker (knee) being unavailable until round four.

New recruits Jazz Tevaga and Siosiua Taukeiaho will also feature in the contest.

“Jake Simpkin has had a really good pre-season, Gordon Chan Tum Kong has also and obviously Jazz Tevaga can also play at nine,” Seibold said.

“They’re the guys we’re considering and I’m keen to look at.”

The Sea Eagles first official trial match is against the Rabbitohs on February 15, while the Dragons have drawn the Roosters on February 16 for their first pre-season clash.

Originally published as Dragons, Manly stars set to clash in private pre-season match simulation