Matt Pritchard previews the 20th ANZAC Day clash between St George-Illawarra Dragons and the Sydney Roosters.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
St George-Illawarra Dragons Vs Sydney Roosters
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
Date: Monday April 25, 4pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Related: NRL Team List Tuesday
Embed from Getty ImagesDragons: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Josh McGuire 17. George Burgess 18. Tautau Moga 19. Jackson Ford 20. Aaron Woods 21. Tyrell Sloan 22. Cody Ramsey 23. Tyrell Fuimaono 24. Jayden Sullivan
St George-Illawarra Dragons ended a four-game losing streak with a strong second half to down the Newcastle Knights 21-16. Zac Lomax was available for selection after being fined for his part in an altercation during his side’s victory. They retain the same eighteen-man squad for this clash against the Roosters.
Embed from Getty ImagesRoosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Drew Hutchison 15. Fletcher Baker 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 18. Lachlan Lam 19. Daniel Suluka-Fifita 20. Kevin Naiqama 21. Naufahu Whyte 22. Adam Keighran 23. Renouf Atoni 24. Ben Marschke
The Sydney Roosters moved to fifth spot on the ladder following their hard fought 22-14 win over New Zealand Warriors on Easter Sunday. Paul Momirovski returns to the starting thirteen with Kevin Naiqama returning the New South Wales Cup. Siosiua Taukeiaho also comes back into the eighteen-man squad as Daniel Suluka-Fifita returned to the reserves.
Referee: Adam Gee
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The tradition continues at the Sydney Cricket Ground with the Dragons and the Roosters playing the marquee ANZAC Day fixture.
It’s fair to say both sides battled in coming away with the points last round.
The Roosters were challenged by the Warriors and maybe got a few crucial decisions go their way in the second half which contributed to their win.
Similarly, the Dragons couldn’t seem to click in attack in the opening forty against the Knights before they found their groove to put on three second half tries on their way to victory.
With the grind set to be fought out between both packs, it’s a big afternoon for New South Wales skipper James Tedesco. Teddy has struggled to have the same impact on the Roosters that he’s had in previous seasons. Perhaps this week is the week where the shackles are broken, and he finds form ahead of the Origin series.
For the Dragons it’s about keeping their direction and that’s where Ben Hunt comes into the equation. If he’s able to dictate play effectively, you wouldn’t discount the Red V’s chances.
However, the Dragons will need to reverse their poor defence. They currently are the worst side for missed tackles (207) and sit thirteenth in making ineffective tackles.
This can only support the Roosters being favourites to win their fifth game of the season given their strike power and despite Tedesco being out of form.
Embed from Getty ImagesINTERESTING FACT
Monday’s ANZAC Day match will be the 20th between the two sides with the Dragons leading the head-to-head by 11 to 8.
The Dragons lead the overall points scored by 25 points, 355 to 330.
Amos Roberts is the only player to have scored for both the Roosters (1 try) and Dragons (1 goal).
Jamie Soward has scored the most points overall in the ANZAC Day clashes with 55, ahead of Gareth Widdop (30) and James Maloney (26).
Matt Cooper is the highest tryscorer with 5, ahead of Anthony Minichiello, Ben Creagh, Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale and Shaun Kenny-Dowall with 4 each.
Three field goals have been kicked in the ANZAC clash: Brett Finch (Roosters), Jamie Soward (Dragons) and Mitchell Pearce (Roosters).
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Roosters by 10.
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