Roosters too good on a milestone day

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Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons

In what was always going to be an emotionally charged game, the Roosters stubbed out any thought of the Dragons making a comeback with a ferocious second-half performance to trounce the visitors 42-12.

The Dragons came out firing early and looked like they were going to put on the first points, but an early penalty gave the Roosters a chance to march back down the field. After smashing the set through the middle, James Tedesco sets up Victor Radley to go over for first points.

Jayden Su'A showed he was up for a big game, taking the role of enforcer early, but got too keen and gave away a penalty around the 9 mins mark, which the Roosters took the 2 points from

Jared Waerea-Hargraves ran out as the most capped Rooster in the history of the club, and the 307-game veteran celebrated his record game with a high shot and sin bin in the 17th minute. 

But the Dragons failed to put any wind under their wings the whole time JWH was off. Even after successive penalties in their favour and set restarts, they failed to turn their advantage into points, but it was also a credit to the defensive mindset of the Roosters.

As JWH returned onto the field, the Rooster's attack again clicked with a movement to their right, finding Dominic Young too quick and big as usual, and they scored at the 26-minute mark.

A break from the kick-off by Max Feagai set the Dragons up well on the field, and the Dragons set up camp in the opposition quarter. Successive penalties and set restarts were too much, and Jacob Liddle seized a chance at the line to keep them in the game at the 36th-minute mark.

It ended the half, which saw some energetic displays from the Roosters, particularly Tedesco, Connor Martin, and Terrell May.

While the Dragons' attack lacked some venom, it was Jacob Liddle and Blake Lawrie trying to keep them in the game.

The second half started well for the Dragons, swinging the first blow of the half as coach Shane Flanagan had requested. 

Looking far more organised on the line this half, it proved dividends after an excellent movement left had Christian Tuipulotu over, and we were set for a thriller, or so we thought.

Victor Radley paid the price for putting his body on the line trying to stop Christian Tuipulotu, getting a Category 1 HIA and sitting out the rest of the game

The Roosters forwards continued to cause trouble, and just after an Angus Crichton break down the left, Lindsay Collins came running onto a ball with irresistible force and got the points.

Angus Crichton was then rewarded for his continuous effort and a try after the Dragons failed to keep the Roosters out of their quarter from the kickoff. The game was slipping form the Dragons fast.

It was at the 62 minute that the death knell was sounded for the Dragons, as a lovely falcon ball off the head of Jack De Belin fell into the hands of Lindsay Collins, who had James Tedesco in support, and the flying fullback ran about 60 metres for another try to the Roosters.

The Dragons were looking tired, and any attack they tried to mount was falling apart due to fatigue, while the Roosters seemed to have plenty more in the tank for such a big day for the club.

The tries started to look all too easy for the tricolours as a fairly simple movement through the hands gave Daniel Tupou  4 points in the 64th minute.

Ben Hunt tried to look for something special, but his efforts could not find any Dragons in ready support when he took them on the line. It was moments like these that Tyrell Sloan needed to be on.

With the roosters red hot, it was Sitili Tupouniua, filling in at the centre, who showed some handy footwork to get the game's final try in the 79-minute.

Shane Flanagan said he was proud the team was in the game for 55 minutes, but it's tough when back-to-back six agains go against you. 

It was also the lack of execution early in the game when they had chances and failed to make an impact, while the Roosters had 12 men that let them down,

Flanagan also mentioned the Roosters' energy with the 1974 old boys coming in on JWH's big day; it was clearly too much for the Dragons outfit to respond to.

Trent Robinson was unhappy with the lack of possession in the first half, but they did impress him with the defensive line.

Robbo pointed out the Collins/Tedesco try was the moment he knew they had broken the Dragons, and he was pleased to see how the next generation of forwards in Spencer Leniu and Terrell May have taken a leaf out of JWH book and taking intensity and ownership into the game.

The Dragons continue to have a lopsided season and will head north to Suncorp to take on the Broncos, another team desperate for a win.

The Roosters will take this win and have a bye, heading to AAMI Park for a blockbuster with the Melbourne Storm.