Returning from a week off after their Las Vegas jaunt, the St. George Illawarra Dragons will host the Melbourne Storm at WIN Stadium on Saturday.

The Dragons lost an absolute heartbreaker in the opening weekend of the season, going down 15-14 to the Bulldogs inside the last 10 seconds of golden point.

They welcome the Storm, who are hot off enjoying a near-identical start to the 2026 season as they commenced 2025, dismantling the hapless Eels 52-4 to record their 24th straight first round victory.

The Dragons host this match at Wollongong after defeating the Storm 14-8 in an impressive home showing at Kogarah last season, so another potential upset could be brewing here.  

Alec MacDonald is out for the Storm after suffering an early concussion last week, with Tui Kamikamica promoted to lock. Shawn Blore is named in the reserves as he eyes a return from an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Moses Suli has been named for the Dragons despite going off in Vegas with a head injury.

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of this clash, check out our Dragons vs Storm tips and predictions below.

Dragons vs Storm Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

How do you stop the Storm? Simple answer: you don’t. It doesn’t seem to matter who comes and goes from their side, as long as Craig Bellamy is the one putting the names up on the whiteboard.

No Ryan Papenhuyzen? No problem. Melbourne started life without their superstar No.1 with a scintillating showing that put Parramatta to the sword to the tune of 52 points.

Meanwhile, St George’s struggles continued, this time stateside, as they went down in golden point to the Bulldogs.

In a somewhat surprising statistical turn, the Dragons have actually beaten Melbourne in their last two games. However, we can’t see them completing the hat-trick here.

Betting tip: Melbourne Storm.

First Try Scorer Prediction

When we find value supported by stats, we always find it hard to ignore. That is once again the case here for our first try scorer tip.

A market often reserved for wingers and centres, maybe a fullback at a pinch, we are instead pledging our allegiance to a halfback.

Melbourne’s masterful No.7 Jahrome Hughes has scored a try in six of his seven previous appearances against St. George Illawarra and that’s why he’s out man here.

Betting tip: Jahrome Hughes.

Over/Under Prediction

Three of Melbourne's last four matches have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over (46.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

St. George Illawarra has covered the line in each of its last nine night matches at WIN Stadium.

Betting tip: Dragons (+9.5) line.                                                                       

Dragons vs Storm Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips

Setu Tu

In each of St. George Illawarra's last 11 matches at WIN Stadium, their starting left wing has scored at least one try.

Will Warbrick

Will Warbrick has scored a try in each of Melbourne's last five matches.

Christian Tuipulotu

Christian Tuipulotu has scored at least one try in each of his last five appearances at WIN Stadium.

Ativalu Lisati

In four of Melbourne's last five matches, their starting right second row has scored a try.

Valentine Holmes

Valentine Holmes has scored a try in each of his last three appearances against Melbourne.

Moses Leo

In three of Melbourne's last four away matches, their starting left centre has scored a try.

Dragons vs Storm Teams

St George Illawarra Dragons Team List

1. Clint Gutherson (c)

2. Christian Tuipulotu

3. Moses Suli

4. Valentine Holmes

5. Setu Tu

6. Kyle Flanagan

7. Daniel Atkinson

8. Emre Guler

9. Damien Cook (c)

10. Toby Couchman

11. Luciano Leilua

12. Jaydn Su'A

13. Hamish Stewart

14. Hame Sele

15. Josh Kerr

16. Blake Lawrie

17. Ryan Couchman

18. Lyhkan King-Togia

Melbourne Storm Team List

1. Sua Fa'alogo 

2. Will Warbrick

3. Jack Howarth

4. Moses Leo

5. Nick Meaney

6. Cameron Munster

7. Jahrome Hughes

8. Stefano Utoikamanu

9. Harry Grant (c)

10. Josh King

11. Joe Chan

12. Ativalu Lisati

13. Tui Kamikamica

14. Tyran Wishart 

15. Cooper Clark

16. Jack Hetherington

17. Davvy Moale

18. Preston Conn

Dragons vs Storm Match Details

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026.

Kick-off: 5:30pm AEDT.

Location: WIN Stadium, Wollongong.