St George Illawarra v Sydney Roosters preview

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St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters Sunday 2:00pm at Clive Berghofer Stadium, Toowoomba / Giabal

Dragons season hanging by a thread, Roosters fighting for top four.

The St George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters will take a rare NRL game to Toowoomba to kick off Sunday afternoon proceedings in a crucial match for both teams.

Sitting in 11th position on the competition ladder, the Red V have slumped to five straight losses yet somehow remain in the finals hunt sitting two points behind the eighth placed Titans. A less than flattering points differential however means they would now likely need to win all three of their remaining games to enter the post-season.

After conceding 50 against the high-flying Rabbitohs three weeks ago, the Dragons have at least showed some fight over the past fortnight pushing the Raiders and Panthers in their last two before ultimately being outclassed.

Something Dragons fans have come accustomed to in recent weeks is a raft of changes on team list Tuesday and this week was no different with Coach Anthony Griffin again shuffling the deck chairs as he searches for a circuit breaker to resurrect his team's season.

In forced changes, veteran rake Andrew McCullough (Ankle) is replaced by versatile forward Josh McGuire in the number nine jersey where he'll form a brand new front-row with Kaide Ellis and Jack De Belin who replace McGuire and Blake Lawrie (Hand).

Other key changes see Bulldogs bound Matt Dufty named at fullback, Jack Bird back in the centres and promising youngster Talatau Amone partnering Corey Norman in the halves.  

Meanwhile, Trent Robinson and his Roosters continue to fight and compete despite an injury and suspension toll which would ruin most team's seasons.

On the back of five victories from their last six games, the tri-colours have forced their way back into the top four for the first time since round 8 and will now be doing everything within their power to hang on to that all important spot and the two bites at the cherry that come with it. 

They will have to manage for the next few weeks without the services of lock forward Victory Radley who's again on the sidelines through suspension. Isaac Liu will push to the back of the scrum and in welcome news, pack leader Jared Warea-Hargreaves returns after being rested from their hard fought win over the Broncos last weekend. 

Last meeting: Round 7 2021 - Roosters 34 Dragons 10

Who to watch: Named to play his first game in the halves this Sunday, Talatau Amone will don the number six jersey in just his ninth game at NRL level and third in the run on team after starting at centre twice previously. The 19-year-old local junior oozes talent and was super impressive against the Panthers last week setting up a brilliant try for Bird after taking the line on and offloading before scoring a slashing try himself stepping off his right and surging to the line. That marked the third try of his short career despite playing the majority of his footy in limited minutes off the bench. With their season on life support, it's a good move by Griffin to throw Amone out there from the get go and may just be the spark they need to turn things around.

Scoring five tries in his last six games, New Zealand International Joseph Manu is in a rich vein of form at present - So much so, he's been touted as rugby league's next million-dollar man. A centre by trade, Manu has impressed with his versatility this season filling in at both fullback and five-eight at various stages and having an impact on most games regardless of the number on his back. Blessed with all the skills, Manu has speed, strength, arguably the best footwork in the game and is lethal in the air. The talent has always been there, but this season his willingness to involve himself in the contest more has risen him to the upper echelon. Crossing for three tries in his last two against Sunday's opposition, it will be no surprise to see his name on the score sheet again this week.

The favourite: Roosters - obvious and overwhelming favourites to get the job done.

My tip: The Dragons face an uphill task with form and recent history against them after falling at the hands of the Roosters in their last six clashes. After breaking into fourth spot, Coach Robinson will be drumming into his players the importance of holding that position with the Sea Eagles hot on their heels. Sydney Roosters by 16.

1. Matthew Dufty 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Jack Bird 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Corey Norman 8. Kaide Ellis 9. Josh Mcguire 10. Jack de Belin 11. Billy Burns 12. Tyrell Fuimaono 13. Tariq Sims 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Josh Kerr 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Jackson Ford 19. Poasa Faamausili

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Adam Keighran 4. Joseph Manu 5. Dale Copley 6. Drew Hutchison 14. Lachlan Lam 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Nat Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Isaac Liu 7. Sam Walker 15. Egan Butcher 16. Fletcher Baker 17. Ben Thomas 20. Brad Abbey

Referees: Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Liam Kennedy, Matt Noyen; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;