BK v Beale the match-up in focus for round 19
It's two experienced players in the backline that make up the round 19 Macca's Match-up as the Dragons host the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.
For the Dragons, it's veteran centre/winger Gerard Beale, while for the Titans we focus on centre Brian Kelly.
Kelly played his 100th NRL game last round and arguably put in his best performance of the season.
The 25-year-old ran for over 200 metres, making two line breaks and scoring a try in the Titans loss to the Eels.
The reigning Paul Broughton Medallist has returned to some of his best form in recent weeks and will be a key player for the Titans as they eye a late season run to the finals.
Kelly is averaging 130 run metres per game in 2021 and has notched 36 tackle breaks across his 14 games.
With David Fifita and Corey Thompson, Kelly has built a potent left-edge attack for the Titans.
He has six tries for the season, while Fifita (12) and Thompson (7) have also crossed for plenty of points.
On the opposite team, Gerard Beale was almost lost to the NRL in 2021.
The 11-time New Zealand international was playing for the Brisbane Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup earlier this year before being signed mid-season by the Dragons.
One of the most experienced backline players in the competition, the 30-year-old played his 200th NRL game in the Dragons last game and brings a winning pedigree having won a premiership with the Cronulla Sharks in 2016.
In his 6 games in 2021, Beale is averaging 138 run metres. He has two line breaks and 14 tackle breaks and has managed to cross for four tries.
Since joining the Dragons for their round 12 clash against the Wests Tigers, Beale has played ever game and has shifted between centre and wing.
On paper, Beale and Kelly are very similar - same height, same weight - and their key statistics are close, albeit that Kelly has played more games in 2021.
These two experienced backline threats will be important players for their respective sides at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with the Kelly v Beale matchup proving our Macca's Matchup as the Dragons host the Titans in Round 19 of the NRL season.
