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St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters NRL Round 8 Tips & Prediction - Can woeful Dragons lift for ANZAC Day showdown?

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: Wed 22 Apr 2026 02:57

Andrew Hendrie 22 Apr 2026

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St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters predictions for Saturday's NRL R8 game
Roosters yet to cover a -8.5 line at half-time this season
Dragons looking to kick-start season under new coach Dean Young & rookie halfback Kade Reed
The game is scheduled for kick off at 4.00pm AEST on Saturday April 25

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Dragons & Roosters clash on ANZAC Day (Photo by Getty Images)

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters NRL Round 8 Tips & Prediction

The Dragons finally pulled the pin on Shane Flanagan after an 11th consecutive defeat, with Dean Young stepping in as interim coach - and his first game in charge is the annual ANZAC Day blockbuster against the Roosters on Saturday afternoon at Allianz.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters NRL Round 8 Tips & Prediction
Dragons vs Roosters Stats & Trends
Dragons vs Roosters Head To Head
St George Illawarra Dragons Form Analysis
St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
Sydney Roosters Form Analysis
Sydney Roosters Team News

Young will be hoping to make an immediate impact and he's made his intentions clear in that regard, dropping Kyle Flanagan to the bench and blooding promising 20-year-old Kade Reed at halfback. Reed has been impressive in NSW Cup this season with five try assists in four games and Dragons fans will be hoping he can perform miracles to get their team's awful attack clicking into gear.

I can't take the Dragons for the upset or to cover the big +16.5 line after they burned me with that diabolical showing against Souths last week. However, I am going to take one last punt on them to cover the first half +8.5 line.

The Roosters have begun the year in pretty solid fashion, but they've been slow starters, winning just one of their six first halves. The Chooks have trailed 22-12 and 24-12 against the Sharks and Knights at half-time over the last fortnight before finishing strongly, not conceding a single point in the second half of both.

I'm also backing Under 52.5 total points. It's a huge and emotional occasion and surely the Dragons can lift, at least defensively.

In terms of Anytime Tryscorers, I'm looking to the Roosters' left edge. Valentine Holmes was absolutely shocking in defence last week, missing a whopping 10 tackles and leaking 4 tries to Latrell. All up, Holmes has missed 33 tackles for the season. Hugo Savala looks primed to take advantage, while Angus Crichton is playing his 150th NRL game - narrative bet alert for an early four-pointer.

Dragons vs Roosters Stats & Trends

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.

Year	Winner	Score	Venue
2025	Roosters	31–24	Jubilee
2025	Roosters	46–18	Allianz
2024	Roosters	42–12	Allianz
2024	Roosters	60–18	Allianz
2023	Dragons	24–22	Netstrata

St George Illawarra Dragons Form Analysis

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.

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.

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 Analysis

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.

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

Verdict

St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters

The Dragons are tipped to cover a +8.5 start in the first half in a game that sees Under 52.5 total points. Savala & Crichton backed to cross.

Dragons +8.5

1st Half Line

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