St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters Preview
Shane Flanagan paid the price after 11 straight defeats for the Dragons and Dean Young takes over on an interim basis.
The change, coupled with the ANZAC Day occasion, can see them stay close enough to the Roosters in the opening half and cover the first half +8.5 line.
- Roosters have failed to cover a -8.5 line in all six first halves this season, losing five
- Dragons have covered a +8.5 line in six of their seven first halves this season
- Dragons have seen Under 52.5 points in six of their seven games this season
- Valentine Holmes has missed 33 tackles this season, including 10 last week - allowing four tries to Latrell
- Hugo Savala scored a double at left centre for the Roosters last week vs Knights & scored on ANZAC Day last season
- Angus Crichton has scored two tries in his last four games vs Dragons
Dragons vs Roosters Head To Head
The Roosters have won five of the last six ANZAC Day encounters, while the Dragons have won just two of their last 15 meetings with the Chooks overall.
The Roosters were dominant 46-18 winners in this game last year.
St George Illawarra Dragons Form - A New Era Begins
Shane Flanagan simply had to go. Eleven defeats on the spin and just some simply awful and uninspiring footy, especially in attack.
The Dragons for the most part aren't being blown off the park, but a change was certainly needed - whether Dean Young is the man to take them forward remains to be seen, but it can't get any worse.
Valentine Holmes remains in terrible form, missing a staggering 10 tackles and being primarily responsible for Latrell running riot with four tries down his right edge.
The Dragons lost their seventh match in a row to start the season with last week's 30-12 defeat to the Rabbitohs, failing to score a point in the second half as Jaydn Su'A was sent off with 10 minutes remaining.
Valentine Holmes remains in terrible form, missing a staggering 10 tackles and being primarily responsible for Latrell running riot with four tries down his right edge.
St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
Kade Reed gets his chance, perhaps earlier than expected, for a first grade debut at halfback, pushing Kyle Flanagan to the bench.
St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
Moses Suli returns in the centres, so Mat Feagai goes to the wing and David Fale drops out with a hamstring injury.
Ryan Couchman makes a timely return from suspension to replace Jaydn Su'A, who has been banned for three games for his high shot on Cameron Murray last week.
St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
1. Tyrell Sloan
2. Setu Tu
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Mathew Feagai
6. Daniel Atkinson
7. Kade Reed
8. Emre Guler
9. Damien Cook
10. Toby Couchman
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Ryan Couchman
13. Hamish Stewart
Interchange
14. Josh Kerr
15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga
16. Blake Lawrie
17. Jacob Halangahu
Reserves
18. Kyle Flanagan
19. Christian Tuipulotu
20. Hayden Buchanan
21. Hame Sele
22. Ryan Hutchinson
Sydney Roosters Form - Far From Perfect
The Roosters come into this contest with four wins from their last five game and sitting pretty in fifth spot on the ladder. However, it's been far from perfect.
Trent Robinson will want to fix his side's slow start to games, which is becoming a worrying trend and not sustainable for long-term success.
The Chooks have managed to dig themselves out of trouble in their last two games against the Sharks and Knights, where they trailed by 12 points at half-time in each.
The Roosters kept their opposition scoreless in the second half of both of those games - they can be rock solid defensively, they just need the motivation from the get-go.
Sydney Roosters Team News
Only the one change to the 19-man squad from last week, with Billy Smith inching closer to a return from injury.
Reserves
Sydney Roosters Team List
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Hugo Savala
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Sam Walker
8. Naufahu Whyte
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley
Interchange
14. Connor Watson
15. Spencer Leniu
16. Nat Butcher
17. Salesi Foketi
Reserves
18. Cody Ramsey
19. Billy Smith
20. Benaiah Ioelu
21. Egan Butcher
22. Tommy Talau