NRL.com match preview: Round 18 v Roosters
A desperate Roosters side sitting in 10th spot on the Telstra Premiership ladder shift their home game to Central Coast Stadium for a crucial battle with St George Illawarra on Saturday.
The Tricolours haven't been so low on the ladder at this time of the year since their 15th-place finish in 2016, meaning we'll have to see something special from Trent Robinson's men to get back into premiership contention.
A four-game losing streak could extend to five if the Dragons have their say. The Red V, coming off a shock 32-18 loss to the Broncos, are in a similiar position to the Roosters with every game crucial from here on in.
The Dragons got the chocolates in an ANZAC Day thriller in April with the match promising to be another close one on the coast.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Roosters v Dragons
The Rundown
Team news
Roosters: No late changes on game day after Lindsay Collins (head knock) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (hamstring) dropped out on Friday. It means Nat Butcher starts, with Drew Hutchison and new signing Matt Lodge joining the interchange. The rest of their Origin contingent are good to go, with captain James Tedesco and fellow Blues Daniel Tupou and Angus Crichton named. Terrell May is 18th Man.
Dragons: Game day changes with Jack de Belin moving to prop and Francis Molo to interchange while Billy Burns comes into the starting side/
With Jaiyden Hunt and Josh Kerr out, Josh McGuire joins the bench. Captain Ben Hunt will start following his heroics for Queensland in Origin III. Winger Mikaele Ravalawa's hamstring injury sees Tautua Moga join the starting side.
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 Cody Ramsey
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy SmithCentre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Paul MomirovskiCentre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Joseph-Aukuso SuaaliiWinger for Dragons is number 5 Tautau Moga
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Joseph ManuFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Talatau Amone
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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 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Dragons is number 10 Blake Lawrie
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough
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Prop for Roosters is number 16 Nat ButcherProp for Dragons is number 13 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 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Dragons is number 21 Billy Burns
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor RadleyLock for Dragons is number 11 Jack Bird
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor WatsonInterchange for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Egan ButcherInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Moses Mbye
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Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Drew HutchisonInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Aaron Woods
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Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Matthew LodgeInterchange for Dragons is number 22 Josh McGuire
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 24 Terrell MayReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Michael Molo
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Joey Manu v Moses Suli: The Roosters need a few saviours to get them out of the logjam they find themselves in with Joey Manu often the man to deliver in some big moments. Manu was a handful against the Dragons in April and will need to bring that same sort of style. Whether he remains in the centres or moves into five-eighth again, he needs his hand on the ball as much as possible after his strong showing for New Zealand in rep round shattered records. Moses Suli could be the man to monitor Manu and cut his time on the edge. Suli is enjoying a stellar season at the Dragons with four tries and 81 tackle busts in 15 games.
Stat Attack
Both these sides lead in an unwanted stat - missed tackles - with 569 (Dragons) and 529 (Roosters) respectively in 2022. The Roosters have made more tackles than any other side in the NRL, highlighting the work they've had to do in defence this year.
Match: Roosters v Dragons
Round 18 -
home Team
Roosters
9th Position
away Team
Dragons
11th Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
