Dragons v Roosters preview

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St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters Monday 4:00pm at Sydney Cricket Ground, Moore Park / Gadigal

ANZAC Day is one of the marquee days on the NRL calendar and 2022 promises to be another highlight reel game to add to the legacy of the contest.

Playing on ANZAC Day is a big honour for both sets of players and it has been the platform for some classic encounters between these two storied sides. Brad Fittlers solo effort, Mat Head's sideline conversion, the hailstorm game to name a few. Hopefully this year's game will add another moment alongside those already featured.

Coming into this contest, both teams haven't been at their vibrant best. Roosters are sat in fifth position with three straight wins over Cowboys, Broncos and Warriors. Coach Trent Robinson will want his team to put down a marker on the competition with a huge performance on Monday.

They have become a model of consistency who have become a fixture in the finals each year and sometimes even lifting the trophy. Roosters know how to work their way into a season and banking the wins before the origin period will start to decimate teams.

Roosters also have a nice, settled halves pairing in Luke Keary and Sam Walker who will direct the side around and pull the Dragons defense to pieces. Walker turns four points into six with regularity which will put pressure on a Dragons side which hasn't put up a lot of points.

It might have been lucky, it might not have been picturesque, but the Dragons got the two points last weekend against a desperate Knights line-up. Now, can they back it up against one of the contenders or will it be hot air from them once again.

Otherwise, it might be another false dawn for a Dragons side which despite their off-season signings and a reshuffle to their spine haven't improved. Ben Hunt, Moses Mbye and their forward pack will be under the microscope again to deliver on the promised potential.

Points scoring hasn't been a strength of the Dragons thus far in 2022 as they haven't passed 30 points yet and passed 20 twice, in both their wins. So, they need to get to that mark again and shut down the Roosters attack to give themselves a chance.

So, attend the dawn service (if possible), play a bit of two-up, have a few adult beverages and pay your respects to our ANZACs before settling into what should be a fantastic game of rugby league on one of the biggest days of the NRL calendar.

Last meeting: Round 23 2021 - Dragons 22 Roosters 40

Who to watch: Whenever the players to watch come up for the Dragons, it invariably turns to halfback Ben Hunt but this week I think there are others that need to step up. Fullback Moses Mbye had his best game at his new club but facing a higher quality team will have him tested under the high ball.

Also, another off-season recruit will be under the spotlight for the Dragons. Moses Suli was a constant threat with the ball against the Knights. The powerhouse centre needs to find consistency in his game to help the Dragons make it back-to-back wins.

For the Roosters, it seems James Tedesco saves his best performances for the big stage. ANZAC Day is one of those and the incumbent NSW fullback will want to leave his mark on both the Dragons and the contest.

Another in the Roosters line-up who hasn't been at his best thus far in 2022, is Angus Crichton. The representative backrower can take on the Dragons pack which has been up and down in 2022 to give the Roosters the platform to allow their backline to thrive. 

The favourite: Both teams have been up and down this season but the Roosters have shown more consistent form and start favourites. 

My tip: The Tricolours should win a hard-fought contest. Roosters by 6.

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 17. George Burgess 16. Josh Mcguire 12. Jaydn Su'A 13. Jack de Belin 11. Tariq Sims 14. Talatau Amone 17. Blake Lawrie 20. Aaron Woods 18. Tautau Moga

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Sam Walker 7. Luke Keary 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho 9. Sam Verrills 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Sitili Tupouniua 16. Nat Butcher 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 13. Victor Radley 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Fletcher Baker 22. Adam Keighran

Referees: Adam Gee; Sideline Officials: Darian Furner, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski; Video Referees: Ashley Klein;