Historically, the Dragons' regular season clashes against the Sydney Roosters are the biggest of any given year thanks to the Anzac Day Cup. Beyond that though, plenty of memorable efforts remain on the highlight reel to this day.
St George Illawarra Dragons 32 defeated Sydney Roosters 8
Grand final. Sunday, October 3, 2010
ANZ Stadium
The biggest day in the joint-venture's history thus far. The Dragons' 32-8 demolition job of the Sydney Roosters was a long time coming.
Mark Gasnier's try after eight minutes proved the best possible start, although the Roosters would hit back with two tries in quick succession via Braith Anasta and Mitch Aubusson.
Down 8-6 at half-time, the Dragons – for the third time in 2010 – would keep the Roosters scoreless in the second half as the likes of Jason Nightingale (twice), Dean Young and Nathan Fien scored.
Darius Boyd would win the Clive Churchill Medal. Ben Hornby would hold aloft the Provan-Summons Trophy and the Dragons faithful would celebrate the end of a 31-year premiership hiatus.
St George Illawarra Dragons 26 defeated Sydney Roosters 24
Round 7. Monday, April 25, 2005
Aussie Stadium
Mat Head's finest hour in the NRL, the 2005 Anzac Cup clash.
While it ended with a special chip-and-chase try assist for Dragons centre Matt Cooper and a successful conversion from out wide, Head's two penalty goals also proved very important to the end result.
In fact, Head kick-started proceedings with an early penalty goal before the Roosters hit back courtesy of Chris Walker (twice) and Anthony Minichiello.
Head was in thick of things just before the break when a kick back inside bounced favourable for Hornby to score his second of the afternoon and put the Dragons within six at half-time.
Dragons lock Shaun Timmins and Roosters centre Ryan Cross scores tries in the second stanza, Red V firebrand Justin Poore and Tricolours larrikin Brett Finch traded punches and all the while Head came out looking a million bucks with two clutch plays in the final three minutes.
St George Illawarra Dragons 20 defeated Sydney Roosters 16
Round 9. Saturday, May 1, 1999
WIN Stadium, Wollongong
The first ever clash between the new joint-venture and the Sydney Roosters occurred two months into the 1999 season in front of the Wollongong faithful.
The Dragons' four-point win over the Roosters would prove one of the most important in the inaugural campaign given their 4-4 start.
Sitting just outside the eight, the Dragons had to hang tough with the then competition leaders; a team that included rugby league greats Brad Fittler, Adrian Lam and Luke Ricketson (who all scored tries on the day.)
Alas! An Anthony Mundine double and further tries to Trent Barrett and Nathan Blacklock would prove the difference.
