St George Illawarra Dragons vs Canterbury Bulldogs Prediction

If you can beat them, buy them. That seems to be the Dragons mantra heading into the new NRL season.

They hit the shops in a big way, with rep players Clint Gutherson (Eels), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys) and Damien Cook (Rabbitohs) all coming in to bolster their side and final aspirations.

On the other side of the coin, the Bulldogs have adopted the “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” state of mind.

After one of their most successful seasons in years, built largely on their defensive grit, there hasn’t been too many changes at Belmore. They have a kennel full of old dogs willing to learn some new tricks for season 2025.

Can they contend with the new look Dragons? Or will St George’s off-season additions fire them to a winning start at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday?

Let’s have a look at how both sides will line up for this clash, as well as some betting tips for the H2H, first try scorer and over/under markets. This is our Dragons vs Bulldogs prediction and preview.

Dragons vs Bulldogs Round 1 Teams

St George Illawarra Dragons

1. Clint Gutherson 2. Mathew 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

Canterbury Bulldogs

1. Connor Tracey 2. Blake Wilson 3. Bronson 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

Dragons vs Bulldogs Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

The Dragons join the Tigers and the Roosters as one of the three sides who have undergone the biggest off-season transformation.

Clint Gutherson (Eels), Valentine Holmes (Cowboys) and Damien Cook (Rabbitohs) have all signed on for season 2025 and the signs are already looking promising.

Their round 1 opponents the Bulldogs were one of the more impressive sides in 2024, particularly in the defensive department, so this should make for a fascinating faceoff.

While we are tempted to lean into the positive narrative around the Dragons at the moment, we’ve been burned before.

We're going to take the Dogs here, mainly because they have won each of their last eight-night matches against St. George, making for a formidable record when the sun goes down.

Betting tip: Canterbury Bulldogs.

First Try Scorer Prediction

Valentine Holmes has scored at least one try in four of his last five appearances. He’s odds on to make it five from his last six here.

Now all he has to do is make sure if he does cross the stripe, he does it before anyone else.

Betting tip: Valentine Holmes.

Over/Under Prediction

Each of Canterbury's last four matches have gone over the total match points line. Add to this the Dragons new attacking recruits and it could be raining tries at Jubilee Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Betting tip: Over total match points.

Dragons vs Bulldogs Match Details

Date: Saturday, March 8, 2025.

Kick-off: 5:30pm AEDT.

Location: Jubilee Stadium, Sydney.