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St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters NRL Round 8 Tips & Prediction - Can woeful Dragons lift for ANZAC Day showdown?
The St George Illawarra Dragons face the Sydney Roosters in a highly anticipated ANZAC Day clash. Dean Young takes the helm as interim coach after the departure of Shane Flanagan. Young introduces 20-year-old Kade Reed at halfback, hoping for an offensive turnaround. Despite the Dragons' poor start to the season, they are expected to cover a +8.5 line in the first half. The Roosters, although undefeated in recent second halves, have shown a pattern of slow starts. Under 52.5 total points is a reasonable bet, and key players like Savala and Crichton are in focus.
- 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
Expired
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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
Verdict
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
$1.85 - 3 Units
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Under 52.5
Total Points
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Hugo Savala
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