Roosters
26
Match Complete
Dragons
12
| K. Flanagan |  | 77 | ||
| B. Morris |  | 75 | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 67 | ||
| L. Keary | | 65 | ||
| B. Morris | | 50 | ||
| 46 |  | Z. Lomax | ||
| 28 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 26 | | Z. Lomax | ||
| 23 | | M. Ravalawa | ||
| K. Flanagan | | 19 | ||
| J. Waerea-Hargreaves | | 17 | ||
| B. Morris | | 4 |
| 5 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The St George Illawarra Dragons have the unenviable task of taking on a red-hot Sydney Roosters side tonight. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:55pm (AEST).
Two weeks into the season, neutral NRL fans were looking forward to a side other than the Roosters – then winless – taking home the premiership in 2020. Four rounds later and the Chooks are in the top four, have won each of their last four, and have the best for-and-against in the comp by around 50 points.
Add in a victory over the previously-perfect Eels last week – a win which came despite a mid-match head knock to James Tedesco – and it’s hard to see anyone stopping this Sydney outfit anytime soon. Particularly the Dragons who, while they’ve won a couple in a row, come into this match as heavy, heavy underdogs.
Tedesco is expected to play tonight, while young hooker Sam Verrills is once of two additions to the Roosters bench alongside Lindsay Collins.
Paul McGregor has rung the changes for the Dragons. Jordan Pereira is suspended and James Graham is heading back to the Super League, with Jason Saab and Jackson Ford replacing them respectively. There’s a change in the starting pack, too, with Blake Lawry part of the run-on front row and Josh Kerr shifted back to the bench.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:55pm (AEST)
Venue: Bankwest Stadium
TV: Fox Sports, Channel Nine
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, NRL Live Pass, 9Now
Teams
Roosters
1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Josh Morris, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Brett Morris, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Jake Friend (c), 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner, 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Victor Radley
Bench/Reserves: 14. Sam Verrills, 15. Isaac Liu, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Lindsay Collins, 18. Sitili Tupouniua, 19. Mitchell Aubusson, 20. Ryan Hall, 21. Lachlan Lam
Dragons
1. Matt Dufty, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Zac Lomax, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Adam Clune, 8. Blake Lawrie, 9. Cameron McInnes (c), 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Tyrell Fuimaono, 13. Trent Merrin
Bench/Reserves: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Josh Kerr, 16. Jacob Host, 17. Jackson Ford, 18. Korbin Sims, 19. Tristan Sailor, 20. Timoteo Lafai, 21. Billy Brittain
JGK
Roar Guru
Finally a quality effort from the Dragons. That first half was probably their best since the first half of Anzac Day last year. We probably got the worst of the referring decisions but no complaints that the better side won (although it still kills me to see BMoz playing so well).
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
TV coverage displays the reasons for penalties being awarded. I suggest you pay more attention.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Haha me, a Roosters supporter. No.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Easts got some lucky count resets at a crucial time. Well not lucky like the referee errors that stopped Canberra from kicking the winning field goal in the grand final but it didn’t seem to be anything more than an infinitesimal delay in the PTB and the referees also gave the roosters a boost with a PTB penalty for what I don’t know.
Birthday Suit
Roar Rookie
If the Dragons play like that again they’ll cause a few upsets this year. They smelled early and showed everyone what they can actually do.
Cliffo
Roar Rookie
Its not that bad. Are you a roosters supporter?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Where has this side been lately ?
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
Feel sorry for the Dragons, did well in the first half but seemed stunned by being in the game after halftime so reverted to their bad habits while the Roosters just went from 1st gear to 3rd at the end..yes, still had a lot more in them which is the depressing thing. Keary was outstanding.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Need a much better coach to bring it all together though
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Agreed. He is a tough fella. Not an oil painting but certainly tough.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Dragons were almost a bit too enthusiastic in defence given the number of 6 agains they gave away - but you'd rather that than backing off and conceding metres - some good signs
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
I can't see how Hunt keeps his origin spot at this rate. He's Coach Killer: The Movie
Herewegoagain
Guest
I thought the dragons did quite well . Plenty expected a cricket score , but they kept turning up in defence. Unfortunately I think it means Mary gets a bit more breathing room .
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Depends how we turn up, Soda.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
Good game. Probably Dragons best this year despite loss
Soda
Roar Rookie
I got to say mcinnes is so courageous. In a losing side he is an absolute champion.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
congrats chooks, I’m off to read the bloobbath on Dragons web and hear Mary’s talk this up as a win.. And to finish the port..
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Commiserations DP & all the other Dragon supporters, great first half - fell away in the second, but, gee, some promising signs for the future.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
Brett Morris outstanding Keary amazing
G Len N
Roar Rookie
I think your being tough. These guys were a rabble a couple of weeks ago. At least they competed tonight. They created some opportunities, they defended well in most parts. They aren’t the at the chooks level but I doubt any other team in the comp is.