'They're back!': Robbo all smiles as Roosters come alive in Dragons ...
All eyes were on the Dragons after Anthony Griffin’s mid-week sacking and they responded with a 24-22 win over the Roosters with a thrilling try in the final 20 seconds of the game.
It looked like the Roosters had ended their two-game losing streak until Tyrell Sloan put a cross-field kick up for Mat Feagai to score the match-levelling try. Recalled centre Zac Lomax kicked the winning conversion.
“Oh my goodness, who writes this script? Rugby league — you beautiful thing,” Fox League’s Andrew Voss said in commentary.
“Look at the Dragons fans now, they’re prayers have been answered... That is quite dazzling.”
MATCH CENTRE: Dragons vs Roosters live score, stats, video
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The Dragons shot out to a 14-nil lead at half time with powerhouse centre Moses Suli scoring a 95-metre try in the seventh minute and Ben Hunt crossing five minutes later.
Emotions bubbled over between the two sides when Zac Lomax attempted a one-on-one strip but slammed Corey Allan to the ground in the process. He was put on report, as was Victor Radley, who was accused of a head-butt in the melee.
Trent Robinson was seen fuming in the coaches box during a concerning first half, but whatever was said at half time worked.
The Roosters scored two tries in the first 13 minutes of the second half with the second their most impressive piece of attack all game.
Nathan Brown, who was on club debut, put James Tedesco through a gap with a short ball. The skipper ran down the middle of the field, before finding Keary in support to score.
Robinson was caught on camera again — but this time was all smiles.
Keary backed it up with another four-pointer with some impressive individual play when he tricked his opposing No.6 with a dummy and ran threw a gap to score.
The Dragons hit back through Jaydn Su’A, but Tedesco bagged his second of the night to almost steal the Roosters the win.
But in a thrilling passage of play it was the Dragons that ended their losing streak.
Neither team came out of the clash unscathed though with Brandon Smith nursing a thumb injury and Blake Lawrie fracturing his hand.
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MATCH PREVIEW
Both the Dragons and Roosters will be desperate for a win when they face each other on Friday night in one of the most intriguing clashes of Round 12.
Michael Molo has been ruled out for the Dragons with brother Francis Molo taking his place at lock. Jack Bird is out with Ben Murdoch-Masila coming into the second row and Jaiyden Hunt joining the bench.
Roosters rop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (pectoral strain) is out with Matthew Lodge to start at prop and Nathan Brown to join the bench for his Roosters debut. Jake Turpin starts at hooker with Brandon Smith shifted to the bench.
It’s been a week from hell for the Dragons in which Anthony Griffin was sacked as head coach after months of speculation.
Interim coach Ryan Carr immediately recalled Zac Lomax and Jacob Liddle — who were dropped by Griffin three weeks ago — into the side.
Lomax returns to the centres with Max Feagai dropping out, while Jacob Liddle has been named to start at hooker with Moses Mbye being dropped to the reserves.
Jayden Sullivan has been retained — but named on the bench — after he was left on the sideline for most of last week’s game in a bizarre move from Griffin.
And skipper Ben Hunt returns to halfback, where he will play the entire game, according to Carr.
It’s been a rough trot for the Roosters too, who are coming off back-to-back losses with their most recent being a 48-4 thrashing from the Panthers.
Coach Trent Robinson has been forced into making changes to his spine again after Joseph Manu was ruled out with an ankle injury.
Luke Keary shifts back to five-eighth with Mr. Fix It, Drew Hutchison named at halfback.
Meanwhile, star enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves won’t play due to a pectoral strain with Matt Lodge promoted to the starting side and Nathan Brown to make his club debut from the bench.
TEAMS
Dragons team: 1. Tyrell Sloan 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Talatau Amone 7. Ben Hunt 8. Jack de Belin 9. Jacob Liddle 10. Blake Lawrie 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 12. Jaydn Su’A 18. Francis Molo 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Toby Couchman 17. Josh Kerr 20. Jaiyden Hunt. 18th man: 19. Moses Mbye
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Billy Smith 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Drew Hutchison 17. Matthew Lodge 14. Jake Turpin 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 9. Brandon Smith 15. Nat Butcher 16. Angus Crichton 20. Nathan Brown. 18th man: 18. Sandon Smith
