There was never any doubt Luke Keary would be a pivotal player in the Roosters’ campaign for back-to-back NRL premierships.
It was proved again last night.
A concussed Keary missed the big Anzac Day clash with the Dragons, and the Roosters dodged a bullet.
The scoreboard doesn’t tell the real story. While a 20-10 win looked comfortable for the Roosters, it was far closer than that.
The Roosters big three at the back – Cooper Cronk, Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco – missed their brilliant little play-maker.
With 66 per cent first half possession, and plenty of territory, the Roosters led by only 14-0 at the break.
Had Keary been there the scoreline would have been more like 26-0, and the game virtually done and dusted.
Luke Keary (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Worse than that, the Roosters didn’t score a point for 45 minutes while a Dragons side buoyed by a second wind piled on ten with tries to Zac Lomax and a spectacular 55-metre solo weaving run at speed from fullback Matt Dufty that gave the visitors a sniff.
With half an hour to go and 14-10, suddenly the Roosters looked ordinary, the Dragons were breathing fire, and the excellent 38,414 crowd came alive.
If it wasn’t for elementary Dragon mistakes, and rock-solid Roosters defence with hooker Jake Friend showing the way on 47 tackles, the Dragons would have been home and hosed.
The standout elementary mistake was Dragons prop Paul Vaughan with a big bust up the middle, only to fall over with no Rooster anywhere near him, and a try was lost.
But the clinching Dragon mistake was Dufty who lost possession on the first tackle inside his quarter line, that led to Siosiua Taukeiaho’s 77th-minute try to seal the Roosters’ win.
Dufty didn’t deserve such a mistake, he had been a leading light in the stirring Dragon fightback.
But Taukeiaho did deserve to be the one to eventually get the Roosters over the line, having bashed his way through a game-high 272 metres of power running in just 54 minutes on the field.
So the Roosters chalked up their sixth successive win in their best start to a season since 1999.
And in the process the two co-captains – Boyd Cordner and Friend – did what captains should do and lead from the front.
On the debit side the Roosters will await a scan today to see if Friend has re-damaged his shoulder. It’s an injury that has already cost him three games this season.
And welcome back Luke Keary for the clash with Wests Tigers at the SCG on Saturday week.
HazzaPoint
Roar Rookie
Probably right re Keary however they would give it a good crack. Chooks should have been 24 up at halftime had it not been for timing issues which always happens when a new half comes into the team. Lam had a few defensive lapses yesterday and that’s probably why Saints went through the middle as the Chooks were pushing players out to help Lam. The difference this year compared to last is that Chooks have focused more on attack to start the season and that’s most likely the influence of ex Storm assistant Adam O’Brien. Defence is in their DNA and will come with time. Mind you, the middle third fades will get their pants pulled down soon.
Alan
Roar Guru
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Alan
Roar Guru
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Cadfael
Roar Guru
No, without Mitchell they are vulnerable.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! And this impacted on Teddy's game too yesterday ! He prefers that left side running off Keary.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Tedesco had Vaughn covered. The real bombed try was when Peraira passed the ball on the outside instead of cutting back. The Roosters also bombed a try when Lam ignored Tedesco inside of him until it was too late and then threw the flick pass. If the Dragons were "pouring through the middle" they didn't do much with it. Ten points! If you look at the stats the Roosters are 2nd worst in line breaks conceded so what happened yesterday was not new. In fact last year when they had the best defence in the game they allowed more offloads than anyone and were unremarkable in terms of meters conceded.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I agree Keary wouldn’t have stopped the defensive leaks but he would’ve killed the dragons motivation as it would have been closer to 30-0 going into the break with the 65% possession rather than only a lead of 14.... the roosters heavily favoured their right side in attack yesterday instead of their superb left that has carved up for the previous month and that’s because the key ingredient on that left side wasn’t there - Luke Keary.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Paul, Even when the dragons and roosters have been hopeless - a decent crowd turns out... as per below comment from superspud, people go for the occasion... I don’t go for either side yet I’ve been to the Anzac Day clash in previous years. Souths-Dogs pulled 30k last week so I’m absolutely confident any two Sydney teams would pull 40k for the ANZAC Day fixture if they were the traditional combatants from the get go on the day.
Albo
Roar Rookie
And news just in is that Friend has a ruptured bicep and out for up to 4 months !! Victor Radley is the likely replacement, but his form has waned in recent weeks in the 9 role ? There is some hope for the other NRL sides coming up against the Chooks now.
Don
Roar Rookie
Scoop! Team missing a key playmaker doesn’t win as easily as the games when he has played! Amazing! And how was Vaughan falling over a missed try? It was a missed opportunity at best if he could have found support. And how can you say there wasn’t a Rooster near him? He had a Rooster in front of him and 1 on his right a few metres away, both of whom were a lot faster than big Paul. Seriously David, the video of him tripping is on this very site and you can see the Roosters players in position to defend before he trips.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
The SCG is a shocker of a venue. I was there yesterday because it was ANZAC day but I won't be back. Even the ANZAC day crowd was down on previous years at alliance. They probably want Roosters Dragons to play rather than Dogs Tigers because they want teams still competing for the top 8.
Wayne Turner
Guest
But,so is any good/great team,if one key playmaker is out eg: Storm without Munster.
Footlong
Roar Rookie
Actually Keary would had heled, as young Lam was playing 5/8 and has never played at position, let alongside Latrell or Radley.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Absolutely,the Dragons were absolutely strolling through the middle in that last 20 or 30 minutes..Keary wouldn’t have stopped that.
Paul
Roar Guru
I doubt greatly you'd get 40k to watch Easts v the Doggies though, Renegade. At least the Tigers v Doggies game would be competitive.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Not so sure the Roosters can't win the comp without Keary ? But I reckon they will struggle if Jake Friend's shoulder isn't sorted out soon. He was the difference between them winning and losing yesterday, and their centre third was defensively bare when he was off the field yesterday.
Renegade
Roar Guru
It’s the traditional ANZAC day clash mate.... 40k would still turn up if this fixture was originally set as Tigers vs bulldogs.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Fair point and I agree, they are miles ahead of everyone right now. It doesn’t take away the Keary factor though, they looked quite average yesterday compared to the previous 4 weeks.... Keary is in rare form, he plays yesterday I reckon they put on another 20 points.
Paul
Roar Guru
It's funny David, how people squark about the need for purpose built grounds for Rugby League and upgrading facilities, yet 38 thousand plus turned up to watch a game at a venue that's not suited to Rugby League at all. The message is simple; put together a match between two competitive teams, at a half way decent venue and people will turn up to watch
Rob
Guest
Does seem like they are just cruising through to get the two points at the moment. I feel sorry for the team that is up against them when they finally put together an 80 minute performance.