Dragons look for back-to-back upsets ahead of Roosters clash

St George Illawarra Dragons (W) v Sydney Roosters (W) Sunday 12:00pm at WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal

Sunday afternoon action heads down to the Gong where the St George Illawarra Dragons will look to pull off two big upsets in consecutive weeks when they look to beat the Sydney Roosters at WIN Stadium.

The slow start to the season for the Dragons was eclipsed last week as they were able to overturn a 10-0 deficit against the two-time defending premiers the Newcastle Knights to take an 18-10 victory in Newcastle. The Red ‘V' started slowly as the Knights were able to score twice within the opening twenty minutes until the tide shifted with the introduction of Kiwi 7s gold medallist Tyla King coming on and changing the game. A ten-minute burst prior to half time saw the Dragons score three tries although one try was subsequently disallowed before scoring two tries in the second half to set up the win.

Despite back-to-back defeats, the Dragons didn't play awfully across their first two games having lost by eight points in Round 1 to the Titans before breaking an NRLW record when they scored 34 points against the Cowboys becoming the first side to lose a match scoring 30 or more points.

Team wise, Tyla King comes back into the halves after starting from the bench last week which sees Zali Hopkins dropping back to the bench whilst Ella Koster comes onto the bench for her first game of the season replacing Jamilee Bright who suffered a head knock last week and had to be stretchered off.

A slow start wasn't the trouble that it could have been for the Sydney Roosters as they scored a 20-4 win over the Wests Tigers last week in Gosford. Whilst the scoreboard may look dominant for the Roosters, it was far from it as they had to score all their points in the second half after the Tigers lead 4-0 at the break. The performance from the Roosters wasn't their prime Rugby League that we have come to expect but again were able to do enough to win consecutive games.

The Roosters haven't been at their clinical best in three games with two wins and a narrow loss to the Knights which didn't really show their dominance but they sit in second spot as one of four teams with 2 wins behind the undefeated Sharks.

Roosters coach John Strange has shuffled his team around with Mya Hill-Moana named to start at prop with Otesa Pule in the second row. Amber Hall and Pani Hopoate are dropped back to the bench.

Last meeting: Round 3 2023 - Roosters 30 Dragons 0

Who to watch:

It's not hard to say that a Gold Medallist from just two weeks ago is the player to watch but Tyla King's impact last week was huge when she came onto the field. It gave the Red ‘V' an extra boost in attack and her partnership with Raecene McGregor was vital to the Dragons beating the Knights and will be vital to beating the Roosters.

Roosters half Tarryn Aiken was a star for Queensland during the Origin series and has been good to start the NRLW season but with a Roosters side not really hitting top gear, they need Aiken to step up and deliver for the tricolours. The impact of King for the Dragons will be their big boost and the Roosters need to have Aiken step up in partnership with Isabelle Kelly in the halves.

The favourite: The Roosters are slight favourites

My tip:

I'm going to go the Dragons in this one, they have looked good in parts this season and they are only going to be boosted in confidence by the win over the nights. It might not be the easiest of games again but back in Wollongong they should get a boost. Dragons by 8.

1. Teagan Berry 19. Alice Gregory 3. Keele Browne 4. Bobbi Law 5. Kimberley Hunt 6. Tyla King 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 9. Kasey Reh 10. Madison Mulhall 11. Shenai Lendill 12. Charlotte Basham 13. Alexis Tauaneai 14. Zali Hopkins 15. Ella Koster 16. Bronte Wilson 22. Jamilee Bright 17. Steph Hancock

1. Sam Bremner 2. Jayme Fressard 13. Jocelyn Kelleher 4. Jasmine Strange 5. Mia Wood 6. Isabelle Kelly 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Keeley Davis 10. Mya Hill-Moana 21. Amber Hall 12. Olivia Kernick 14. Aliyah Nasio 11. Otesa Pule 15. Pani Hopoate 18. Tavarna Papalii 19. Tiana Davison 16. Samantha Economos

Referees: Luke Saldern; Sideline Officials: Bradley Kiehne, Karra-Lee Nolan; Video Referees: Peter Gough;