LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a fervent call to arms, St George Illawarra Dragons' powerhouse second-rower Luciano Leilua has rallied his team to set their sights on stopping the dangerous Stephen Crichton in a blockbuster clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs this Saturday.
Leilua, known for his fiery on-field presence and brute force, has been a shining light for the Dragons in recent games.
The team heads into the highly anticipated showdown at a packed stadium, riding high on the momentum of their first victory in Victoria in a quarter of a century.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have emerged as the dark horse of the season, defying early season expectations of a poor showing by pushing for a top-four finish.
With both teams looking to make their mark on the competition, a win on Saturday could solidify the Bulldogs' top-eight standing and edge the Red V closer to finals footy for the first time in six years.
Leilua, speaking with the press ahead of the clash, acknowledged the pivotal role of shutting down Crichton.
The former Penrith Panthers star, who joined the Bulldogs this season under the tutelage of coach Cameron Ciraldo, has been a linchpin in their success and poses a major threat to the Dragons' plans for victory.
As the Dragons gear up for battle, all eyes will be on Leilua and his teammates to execute their game plan with precision and determination.
With finals hopes on the line, it's game on for these two fierce competitors as they prepare to go head-to-head in a must-watch showdown of skill and strategy.