Will the Dragons choke again?
NRL Tips 
/ James Cleary / 24 September 2010 / Leave a comment Bet Now
it will take a miracle even more unlikely than then to see the Tigers into the grand final.
James Cleary pegs the Dragons as big favourites to defeat Sydney rivals Wests Tigers and reach their first grand final in 11 years.
Rested after a week off, the Minor Premiers were 28-0 victors over the Eagles in week one of the play-offs - their third successive win.
Wests Tigers meanwhile followed up their shock loss to the Roosters in week one to edge past the Raiders 26-24 last week.
The home side are aiming to banish their chokers tag, having been stunned 20-12 by the same opposition five years ago under similar circumstances in the preliminary finals, with the Tigers going on to win the grand final.
The Dragons' defence has been key in 2010 and they will be a tough nut to crack. They have conceded just under 300 points all year thanks to the likes of Dean Young and Beau Scott, and they will need every ounce of their back-line strength to hold off the Tigers' wide open game plan, focused on the attacking flair of Benji Marshall, Lote Tuqiri and Robbie Farah.
In-form Marshall is likely to be the biggest threat to the Dragons - he was the key man when the Tigers shocked their rivals in 2005. Lock Chris Heighington, also a winner in 2005, has similarly been impressive. The home side will look to Jamie Soward to produce a big game to help nullify Marshall's threat.
Nathan Fien v Robbie Farah could also be an intriguing match-up in terms of creativity, while Ben Creagh and Gareth Ellis are try threats for either side in the second row.
Looking back, the Dragons defeated the Tigers 34-10 in round 16 at WIN Stadium, the only 2010 encounter between the sides. They also edge the head-to-head 10-9.
Wayne Bennett sticks with the same Dragons line-up that eased past Manly a fortnight ago. They have named an eight-man bench, but the Dragons are expected to plump for Kyle Stanley, Nick Emmett, Luke Priddis and Jon Green.
The Tigers are also set to be unchanged, despite Robbie Farah, Robert Lui (both quad muscle problems) and Gareth Ellis (back) all carrying injuries.
History and a perceived 'bogey team' mentality can be a strong indicator when predicting a potential shock here, but on current form and considering the Dragons' much-changed line-up from 2005, it will take a miracle even more unlikely than then to see the Tigers into the grand final.
