St George Illawarra are refusing to acknowledge themselves as NRL title contenders even after their 24-8 Anzac Day dismantling of the Sydney Roosters.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
St George Illawarra Dragons 24
Sydney Roosters 8
The traditional Anzac day game sees the St George Illawarra Dragons meet the Sydney Roosters Join The Roar from 4:10pm (AEST) for live scores and coverage.
The Dragons’ unbeaten record came to an end last weekend, going down to the Warriors 20-12. The Kiwis did it without key players Shaun Johnson and Tohu Harris, exploiting the Red V around their edges and dominating in forward play.
Paul McGregor needs his pack to step up against a considerably weaker Roosters side as they look to remain at the top of the table.
Ben Hunt and Jack De Belin led the way last week and will be required to deliver similar performances in what is usually a close contest.
McGregor has made one change, with Jacob Host promoted to the bench in place of Hame Sele.
Last time out, the Roosters got up 6-0 over the Bulldogs, although they were dominated by Canterbury in the middle of the park.
Trent Robinson’s forwards have been a weakness throughout 2018 and while the return of Sio Siua Taukeiaho off the bench will help, they still require a stronger platform from their men in the middle.
The Anzac Day Cup has been an annual fixture since 2002, with the Dragons winning ten fixtures to the Roosters’ five, with the last three all decided by two points or less.
Overall, 37 games have been played since St George merged with Illawarra in 1999, seeing the joint venture rack up 19 wins to the Tricolours’ 17, with one match drawn.
Last time these two rivals met was in the corresponding fixture last year, the Roosters winning 13-12 after a Mitchell Pearce field goal in golden point.
Prediction
St George Illawarra will bounce back from their loss to the Warriors with a tight win.
Dragons by 2.
Join The Roar from 4:10pm (AEST) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
LachyP
Guest
Blame the ref's is the weakest argument in sport. If you ever opened your other eye you'd see that the Dragon's were a much better team than South's in round 5 in what was a high quality contest. I do think South's are playing the best football they've played in 2 years but they aren't at the level of the Dragon's so far this season and while they have room for improvement with their current squad I don't think they have the balance of quality across the park as the Dragon's do. As for GI, he is no longer the player he once was but still has the potential to do great things with his power and skill, what Aitken showed up was a poor defensive read and an overestimation of his own lateral quickness which is a lot worse than when he was at his peak.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate, Macdonald dead set lost the ball while attempting to ground it from his right hand (which is a knock on to me and anybody) but, what the bunker called was that' 'he instantaneously grounded the ball with his left hand' that didn't happen, he knocked it on! Once you drop the ball in one hand 'that is a knock on to me! What is this 'instantaneous' rubbish? That is just a very bad excuse to justify and give a reason for this nonsensical try! As Robbo said, that was a crucial part of the game and the Roosters were on a roll, I agree, as Klein and Badger ruined that game, as this game could have turned into one of the best games of the year! But, that is usual with the refs of today and that is why we are all whinging about them!
steveng
Roar Rookie
They won't smashed by the Warriors! The Warriors got a few favourable calls from Badger in the second half and Souths fought right to the end and could have won! Plus, Badger was the ref and guess who was one of the adjudicators yesterday, Badger! I won't mention Klein as he is a shocker! The nonsense that 'Euan Aitken' is better than GI because he scored a try as he stepped GI once etc etc the Dragons to me, don't look like the invincible be all side that everyone makes them out to be and as Mary said, this is the test period, we were in the same situation last year and failed dismally after! Souths on the other hand, look like a side that is improving every week (irrespective of Sam B) who btw, didn't play against the Dragons in round 5 and will play in round 10. Lets just see but, don't tell me that 'I told you so' when Souths smash the Dragons in round 10! There are variables though and but, Klein, Badger could be the 'achilles heal' for Souths if they adjudicate, as they are both shockers. Go the Bunnies!!!
godragonsgo
Guest
I think there were a couple of bad calls last time the Dragons met the "Pride of the League - When was the last time they got 40,k to a home game) that went in favour of Souths. Forgotten about that steveng.
Matt
Guest
Take 5 minutes out of everyone's lives to make a call that has all of Australia wondering if the Bunker took 13+, then they all need to be sacked. Not for a game or two, not for a week or two, but permanently.
LachyP
Guest
They've had one off game against the warriors (which with 5 to go they could still win) and a poor 20 minutes against South's in 2 months of footy? It sounds like you're the one that isn't with reality. What other team has a form line like that?
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Smashed by the warriors 20-12 lmao. Not as good as everyone says...7-1 record. Lucky to win against Rabbitohs, you have no idea
LachyP
Guest
Lucky to win against the rabbits? The dragons dominated that game and were unlucky to not have had a couple more tries before fading on the back of a 5 day turnaround compared to your 7. Dragons will sweep the rabbits no problem. Next week against the storm should be a cracker though.
Albo
Guest
Well spotted DP ! Macdonald has had a real mixed bag of calls this year. Some horrific, and then today's fortunate favourable call. In today's officiating decision making, I would simply call that "swings and roundabouts", and hopefully all teams get their fair share throughout the year. If not, you might get the rub next year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
PS - very good win
The Barry
Roar Guru
Definitely Ken. If we had the bunker adjudicating on whether a player had control or not we’d get some unhappy fans with the decision. But when we get into this “left pinky touched the ball simultaneously” nonsense, 80% of fans are frustrated. I really think the quest for black and white rules is what’s hamstringing the refs.
Kenw
Guest
Definitely a knock on in my book, I hate all this fingernail/little finger still touching nonsense. I think describing it as 'the worst and most shameful decision that has ever been adjudicated' might be just a little hyperbolic though :-)
DP Schaefer
Guest
Macdonald's try was a bad call in my books, but not the worst call I've seen from the bunker over the years. It does, however, reinforce my constant belief that the tech and the bunker really hasn't reduced the 'howlers' it was supposed to stop. Even with all the tech and cameras and everything there are still constant huge bad calls. Ditch it, save the time and go back to ref's calling the game.
Emcie
Roar Guru
they were good, roosters looked rattled from the first try
DP Schaefer
Guest
You haven't seen a lot of games over that time then. Been plenty worse than that.
Emcie
Roar Guru
He lost possesion and didn't regain possesion before it hit the ground, his fist was ruled to have grounded the ball after that fact
DP Schaefer
Guest
Steveng, can you show - without doubt - that he had no contact on the ball? I actually didn't think it was a try but I couldn't say - conclusively - that he didn't have a finger on the ball as it touched down. Actually the bunker decision to deny Nene a try 2 weeks ago unsighted, - after the ref ruled a try - was a worse decision. So karma rules and things usually even out (naturally) in the long run. He got 2 suspect calls against him one week and a suspect one for him this week.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Didnt look as bad as everyone is making it out to be at the stadium. Im sure Ill look at some of these replays when I get home and agree with you guys. Doesnt change the fact the Dragons were far too good.
JN
Guest
i agree. Baptiste has a good running game. Drop Jake Friend. His only use has been for tackles. Dragons though, deserved the win, and the Roosters need to change their attacking gameplan, for instance going through the middle instead of doing that stupid sweep from one side to the other. The dragons kept coming outof the line due to the fact that that sweep is predictable. Cooper Cronk looks to be a dud so far. Should have kept Pearce
steveng
Roar Rookie
That might be true but, the Dragons should have had a sin bin against them in the first half, when Keary was tripped, Klein's ref calls (as usual) favours one team and not another 'dismally'. With 10 to go and 18-8 the Roosters could have come back, bar the shameful decision of that try! I wouldn't be that cocky if I were you Scott as the Dragons are not as good as everyone makes them out to be! The Warriors smashed them, the Storm will do the same, next week and then wait till round 10, when they play the Rabbits, we have some unfinished business to settle with the Dragons, they were lucky to win last time (16-12) and Sammy and GI will settle some scores there lol