The annual Anzac Day clash between the Roosters and the Dragons is the biggest club game of the regular season, and as a passionate Dragons fan, I’m proud to be able to write that.
The Storm and Warriors have started their own tradition but it pales in comparison to the annual fixture at Allianz Stadium, which has thrown up some classic encounters, dating back to the inaugural game in 2002 when the Roosters snuck home 24-20.
In 2005, Matthew Head etched his name in folklore with a brilliant chip-and-chase move, before flinging the Steeden wide to a flying Matt Cooper, who scored. Head then nailed the pressure conversion to seal a famous 26-24 win.
There is a certain sense of occasion in the build-up to this game, and when ‘The Last Post’ rings out across the stadium, the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Games have traditionally been close; in the first five clashes the margin didn’t exceed ten points, but the Red V pulled ahead over the next six years, winning five by healthy margins, before the Roosters returned fire with big wins in 2013 (34-10) and 2014 (34-14).
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More recent games have been keenly fought, with St George Illawarra winning 14-12 in 2015, the Bondi boys getting up 20-18 in 2016 and 13-12 last year in a pulsating contest.
How the 2018 edition will pan out is anyone’s guess.
Despite Friday’s hiccup against the Warriors, the Dragons still boast the best attack in the competition – a full 46 points better than both the Panthers and Warriors – while they have leaked just 100 points across the opening seven rounds.
The Roosters have been inconsistent, winning just four games, but their defence is actually better than the Dragons, conceding only 96 points. Their defence against the Bulldogs was excellent, but I’m sure the Dragons will offer a far superior attacking game.
On paper, the teams are fairly evenly matched, but the Dragons boast a powerhouse pack. The Roosters have some decent forwards in Boyd Cordner and Dylan Napa, but the likes of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Jake Friend are struggling this year, and they will be really up against it to contain their opposition forwards in the opening exchanges.
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