Round 8 of the NRL season starts with another massive Anzac Day double-header, with the top two teams – the St George Illawarra Dragons and New Zealand Warriors – taking the field for their traditional clashes against the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne Storm respectively.
Last Friday night, the Warriors and Dragons played a clash worthy of the finals, as the locals handed the Red V their first defeat of the season.
The Dragons, who remain on top of the ladder on percentage, follow this up against a Roosters side that has been sluggish, with four wins.
It will be the 17th consecutive season the two sides have faced off on Anzac Day, and for the most part, the clashes have been close, with the past three decided by two points or fewer.
Last year’s clash saw ex-Rooster Mitchell Pearce kick the winning field goal in golden point extra time to give his side a 13-12 victory.
Dragons captain Gareth Widdop’s partnership in the halves with high-money recruit Ben Hunt has been a major factor in the club’s best start to a season since the merger came into effect ahead of the 1999 season.
James Graham has also provided good leadership and experience in a forward pack that is set to be decimated come State of Origin time.
James Graham of the Dragons. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Overall, the Dragons lead with ten wins to six, and they’ll be keen to continue on that dominance especially with the Warriors, who play the Melbourne Storm later that evening, chasing them at the top of the ladder.
The Kiwis have surprised and impressed in 2018, the pre-season wooden spoon favourites having won six of their first seven matches to be sitting second on the ladder on percentage.
This includes wins over the Roosters (at Allianz Stadium) and Dragons, in which they were led by Mason Lino, who was deputising for injured halfback Shaun Johnson on both occasions.
It’s proof the Auckland-based club – for so long ridiculed over their lack of success, despite being based in a rugby union-dominated country – can win without their star halfback.
Their biggest test will come on Wednesday night when they make the annual trip to Melbourne for the Anzac night clash against the Storm, which is expected to attract another bumper crowd.
Melbourne have been a bit off so far in their premiership defence, losing twice to the Wests Tigers, as well as to the Cronulla Sharks in Round 4.
However, they returned to the form that their fans know best last Friday night, thrashing the Brisbane Broncos by 34-20 and continuing an excellent record against the northerners that dates back to 2005.
Captain Cameron Smith is playing as well as ever, and there are reports that the Queensland and Australian captain is set to play on for another season, at the end of which he will be 36.
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He is likely to be the final member of the Storm’s ‘Fab Four’ standing, with Greg Inglis and Cooper Cronk having both left the club in 2010 and 2017 respectively, and Billy Slater set to hang up the boots at the end of this season.
The kick-off time for the Storm versus Warriors match is 7pm, which will allow fans who would have just enjoyed the Collingwood versus Essendon AFL match over the bridge at the MCG to make it into AAMI Park in time.
RoryStorm
Guest
Kim mate. What was the 50/50 call you are referring to. I think I know but the correct call was made.
Justin Kearney
Guest
Really looking forward to this Wednesday. Tipping saints and warriors.
Roy
Guest
If the Roosters bring their A game, they'll win easily.
Freddy
Guest
what exactly was the 50/50 call?
Jim
Guest
Should be two absolutely cracking games on Wednesday. My dragons are travelling alright but fearful they are about to hit their Mcgregor choke point - they were disappointing in defence against the Warriors, but arguably had a big 50/50 call go against them late that could have seen them win as well. . Roosters been up and down, but ground out a good win last weekend and both teams always lift for Anzac Day. I was very impressed by both the warriors and the strom on the weekend. Warriors play a really physical game style that will worry the Storm. Both games could go either way - can't wait!
JN
Guest
i think that the Roosters have done relatively well under the high ball (in saying this, Reece Robinson probably wont play-he has been the cause of most drop balls). Tedesco is starting to gain some form, especially in his structuring of the defense last week. Yeh, i agree it will be a close game, but i think that the dragons will have the edge.
Stu
Guest
Harris is a big out for the Warriors. Papali'i will do well as a replacement but doesnt have the same potency in attack. Hopefully Gavet returns from injury to add some impact to the bench. Lets also hope Johnson returns. As good as Mason Lino has been the right edge attack of the warriors struggles massively without Johnson. There was too much play before the line against the Dragons which looked ok only due to the Dragons coming up with some poor 1 in 1 misses. Johnson offers far more on defence also.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
You can't see the Roosters being able to match the Dragons in the forwards - especially if it rains. People rightly pick on JWH and Napa but Liu and Cordner have been sadly lacking also. They are all going to need to show up Wednesday Both teams have good kicking games but do i trust the Roosters wide out guys under a slippery high ball... Should be an interesting game if the Roosters have their A Game.
Albo
Guest
Both tricky games again for the tipsters. Looking forward to both of them. Dragons on a quick back & travel from NZ up against the Chooks who haven't really been firing as yet. Warriors with a surprisingly handy record against the Storm in Melbourne for this Anzac match, but the Storm looking very good again after the Broncos match.
Paul
Roar Guru
Looks like there might be some rain in both Sydney & Melbourne on the 25th. I hope, not as these games could be the best of the year if all sides play their best. Equally hope neither game is resolved by a needless penalty, but then it's up to the players, isn't it?
Jed Clampit
Guest
LEST WE FORGET MATE !
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
Cmon Roosters!!!! Forwards finally showed up last week.............. but can they do it 2 weeks in a row. The jury is still out on the Roosters forwards toughness Hargreaves played better; I still think NAPA needs to do more. I thought the Roosters looked better when Friend was off the ground?
andrew
Guest
The best lineup for Anzac day footy in years. Can't wait. Proud to be be an Australian! Lest we forget.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I am very much looking forward to these two ANZAC day matches. I have absolutely no idea who will win. Lots of individual matchups to look forward to. Two big name number 7 signings face off in Hunt v Cronk. The struggling Tedesco up against the rising Dufty. Two centres who might make their Origin debuts this year in Aitken and Mitchell. In the next match its the resurgent Isaac Luke up against the evergreen Cam Smith. These two teams boast two of the top back 3's in the competition and I dare say the result could well hinge on their performance. The ex-Stormers Harris, Green and Blair to AAMI. Hopefully Johnson is back, he usually puts up great ANZAC day performances and is a joy to watch when he's on. Can't wait for these games to start!