The Dragons are out to make amends for an Anzac Day demolition when they return to Allianz Stadium to face the Roosters in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster.
The Dragons suffered a 60-18 loss in the Round 8 clash in front of a packed stadium as they came crashing back to earth after an impressive start to the year.
Since then, Shane Flanagan's side has hovered around the middle of the NRL ladder, winning four from seven games. They will enter Sunday's clash sitting in eighth position.
The Roosters have continued to develop their attacking firepower since the Anzac Day win, scoring 80 more points than any other team in the competition this year.
Trent Robinson's side is riding high after a comfortable 40-6 win over the Wests Tigers on Sunday night, with halfback Sam Walker setting a platform for his strike weapons to star.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is set to run out in his 307th NRL game for the Roosters, eclipsing Mitchell Aubusson as the club's most capped player in their 116-year history.
In less positive news, the Roosters will be without centre Joseph Manu for the Dragons clash after he fractured his hand in last week's victory.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Roosters v Dragons
Team News
Roosters: Ethan King has come onto the bench an hour before kick-off with Naufuha Whyte making way. Sandon Smith is 18th man. Following news that Joey Manu will miss a month after suffering two fractures in his hand last week, veteran Michael Jennings gets the call up to re-join the backline in the centres. Lindsay Collins takes back his starting role after coming off the bench in Round 17, with Terrell May reverting to the interchange.
Dragons: A game day switch with Fa'amanu Brown joining the bench and Michael Molo dropping back to 18th man. Raymond Faitala-Mariner was ruled out on Saturday with back spasms so Luciano Leilua will start in the back row. Zac Lomax returns after being rested last weekend to get over a niggling shoulder issue while Jack Bird makes his comeback in NSW Cup from the ankle injury that has sidelined him since Round 12.
Match: Roosters v Dragons
Round 18 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell Sloan
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Dragons is number 2 Zac Lomax
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Michael JenningsCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Sitili TupouniuaCentre for Dragons is number 4 Max Feagai
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Dragons is number 5 Christian Tuipulotu
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle Flanagan
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam WalkerHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-HargreavesProp for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Brandon SmithHooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob Liddle
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay CollinsProp for Dragons is number 10 Jack De Belin
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Victor Radley2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Luciano Leilua
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Connor WatsonLock for Dragons is number 13 Tom Eisenhuth
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer LeniuInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake Lawrie
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben Murdoch-Masila
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Terrell MayInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby Couchman
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Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Ethan KingInterchange for Dragons is number 19 Fa'amanu Brown
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 20 Sandon SmithReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Michael Molo
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won 10 of their past 12 games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have conceded 87 points in two games at the new Allianz Stadium.
- Roosters winger Dominic Young has scored 10 tries in his past eight games.
- Dragons winger Zac Lomax has scored five tries in his past four games.
- Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will break the club’s all-time appearance record.
Match: Roosters v Dragons
Round 18 -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Dragons
10th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services,
