Anzac Day: St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters

[GCRV]

MONDAY APRIL 25

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters at Sydney Cricket Ground, 4.00pm AEDT​

Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Josh McGuire 17. George Burgess

Team Tips: The Dragons are set to keep faith with the same 17 for Anzac Day after notching their first win since Round 1 against the Knights. Anthony Griffin is unlikely to recall Tyrell Sloan for such a big clash against the Roosters, but veteran Aaron Woods could nab a spot on the bench.

---

I'm going to back Josh McGuire starting at prop and Fuimaono on the bench. I'd also prefer Woods in the 17 before Kerr.

 

[Eric]

MONDAY APRIL 25

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters at Sydney Cricket Ground, 4.00pm AEDT​

Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Josh McGuire 17. George Burgess

Team Tips: The Dragons are set to keep faith with the same 17 for Anzac Day after notching their first win since Round 1 against the Knights. Anthony Griffin is unlikely to recall Tyrell Sloan for such a big clash against the Roosters, but veteran Aaron Woods could nab a spot on the bench.

---

I'm going to back Josh McGuire starting at prop and Fuimaono on the bench. I'd also prefer Woods in the 17 before Kerr.

Fuimaono and Woods both had blinders in the NSW Cup. Definitely prefer either of them over Kerr in the NRL team.

 

[Morgan]

MONDAY APRIL 25

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters at Sydney Cricket Ground, 4.00pm AEDT​

Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Josh McGuire 17. George Burgess

Team Tips: The Dragons are set to keep faith with the same 17 for Anzac Day after notching their first win since Round 1 against the Knights. Anthony Griffin is unlikely to recall Tyrell Sloan for such a big clash against the Roosters, but veteran Aaron Woods could nab a spot on the bench.

---

I'm going to back Josh McGuire starting at prop and Fuimaono on the bench. I'd also prefer Woods in the 17 before Kerr.

Woods or Fuimaono ahead of Kerr is a no-brainer from what I can see but maybe the coach knows something about Kerr I don't.

 

[Eric]

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters Round 7 team lists​

St George Illawarra Dragons​	Sydney Rorters​
Moses Mbye Mathew Feagai Moses Suli Zac Lomax Mikaele Ravalawa Jack Bird Ben Hunt Francis Molo Andrew McCullough Josh Kerr Tariq Sims Jaydn Su’A Jack de Belin Talatau Amone Blake Lawrie Josh Mcguire George Burgess Tautau Moga Jackson Ford Aaron Woods Tyrell Sloan Cody Ramsey Tyrell Fuimaono Jayden Sullivan	James Tedesco Daniel Tupou Paul Momirovski Joseph Manu Joseph Suaalii Sam Walker Luke Keary Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Sam Verrills Lindsay Collins Angus Crichton Sitili Tupouniua Victor Radley Drew Hutchison Fletcher Baker Nat Butcher Siosiua Taukeiaho Lachlan Lam Daniel Suluka-Fifita Kevin Naiqama Naufahu Whyte Adam Keighran Renouf Atoni Ben Marschke
Ramsey back. No surprises with the no changes. Apart from Kerr everyone pulled their weight last game. Lomax didn't have a good game in defence of goal kicking but the worst came out of it after his little "thing" with Frizell. Maybe he was rattled.	I don't follow this club carefully. As long as they are losing, I'm happy. Even when they win, they only have about 10 supporters. But I see they have brought Momirovski back to mark Suli.

 

[GCRV]

Woods or Fuimaono ahead of Kerr is a no-brainer from what I can see but maybe the coach knows something about Kerr I don't.

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters Round 7 team lists​

St George Illawarra Dragons​	Sydney Rorters​
Moses Mbye Mathew Feagai Moses Suli Zac Lomax Mikaele Ravalawa Jack Bird Ben Hunt Francis Molo Andrew McCullough Josh Kerr Tariq Sims Jaydn Su’A Jack de Belin Talatau Amone Blake Lawrie Josh Mcguire George Burgess Tautau Moga Jackson Ford Aaron Woods Tyrell Sloan Cody Ramsey Tyrell Fuimaono Jayden Sullivan	James Tedesco Daniel Tupou Paul Momirovski Joseph Manu Joseph Suaalii Sam Walker Luke Keary Jared Waerea-Hargreaves Sam Verrills Lindsay Collins Angus Crichton Sitili Tupouniua Victor Radley Drew Hutchison Fletcher Baker Nat Butcher Siosiua Taukeiaho Lachlan Lam Daniel Suluka-Fifita Kevin Naiqama Naufahu Whyte Adam Keighran Renouf Atoni Ben Marschke
Ramsey back. No surprises with the no changes. Apart from Kerr everyone pulled their weight last game. Lomax didn't have a good game in defence of goal kicking but the worst came out of it after his little "thing" with Frizell. Maybe he was rattled.	I don't follow this club carefully. As long as they are losing, I'm happy. Even when they win, they only have about 10 supporters. But I see they have brought Momirovski back to mark Suli.

Personally I think this is a formidable team if, as it seems everyone agrees, Woods or Fuimaono were in front of Kerr. Sloan as well but I don't think the coach will change that until a bads loss. And Ramsey might be first choice in front of Sloan.

 

[RedV01]

Personally I think this is a formidable team if, as it seems everyone agrees, Woods or Fuimaono were in front of Kerr. Sloan as well but I don't think the coach will change that until a bads loss. And Ramsey might be first choice in front of Sloan.

Don't forget about Jack Gosiewski!

 

[Eric]

Team confirmed:

1. Moses Mbye
2. Mathew Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jack Bird
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Tariq Sims
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin
14. Talatau Amone
15. Aaron Woods
16. Josh Mcguire
17. George Burgess
18. Tyrell Fuimaono
19. Tautau Moga

---

Finally Josh Kerr is gone. I hope he learns to run as hard and fast as he can whether opposition defenders are standing in front of him not. Jackson Ford also off the extended bench.

No surprise Mbye is still fullback. I guess he'll be there until a few more losses if not the entire season. I thought the coach might go with Ramsey if he was still unhappy with Sloan but no.

 

[RedV01]

Team confirmed:

1. Moses Mbye
2. Mathew Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jack Bird
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Tariq Sims
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin
14. Talatau Amone
15. Aaron Woods
16. Josh Mcguire
17. George Burgess
18. Tyrell Fuimaono
19. Tautau Moga

---

Finally Josh Kerr is gone. I hope he learns to run as hard and fast as he can whether opposition defenders are standing in front of him not. Jackson Ford also off the extended bench.

No surprise Mbye is still fullback. I guess he'll be there until a few more losses if not the entire season. I thought the coach might go with Ramsey if he was still unhappy with Sloan but no.

Incremental improvements. Better than nothing.

 

[Chris M]

Team confirmed:

1. Moses Mbye
2. Mathew Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jack Bird
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Tariq Sims
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin
14. Talatau Amone
15. Aaron Woods
16. Josh Mcguire
17. George Burgess
18. Tyrell Fuimaono
19. Tautau Moga

---

Finally Josh Kerr is gone. I hope he learns to run as hard and fast as he can whether opposition defenders are standing in front of him not. Jackson Ford also off the extended bench.

No surprise Mbye is still fullback. I guess he'll be there until a few more losses if not the entire season. I thought the coach might go with Ramsey if he was still unhappy with Sloan but no.

Woods in for Kerr is definately a big improvement. Could also get away with Bird at 5/8. He's not bad in that position it's just Amone has so much more ability in that position. But Mbye at fullback. I don't think the team can get away with that.

 

[GCRV]

Team confirmed:

1. Moses Mbye
2. Mathew Feagai
3. Moses Suli
4. Zac Lomax
5. Mikaele Ravalawa
6. Jack Bird
7. Ben Hunt
8. Francis Molo
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Blake Lawrie
11. Tariq Sims
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin
14. Talatau Amone
15. Aaron Woods
16. Josh Mcguire
17. George Burgess
18. Tyrell Fuimaono
19. Tautau Moga

---

Finally Josh Kerr is gone. I hope he learns to run as hard and fast as he can whether opposition defenders are standing in front of him not. Jackson Ford also off the extended bench.

No surprise Mbye is still fullback. I guess he'll be there until a few more losses if not the entire season. I thought the coach might go with Ramsey if he was still unhappy with Sloan but no.

Another problem with this, if this is in fact the starting 13, is Lawrie starting again. He's been tried and tried as a starting prop and failed almost every time. Off the bench however, coming on after the bigger opposition forwards are tired, Lawrie does quite well.

 

[jodragon40]

MONDAY APRIL 25

St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters at Sydney Cricket Ground, 4.00pm AEDT​

Last week’s Dragons team: 1. Moses Mbye 2. Mathew Feagai 3. Moses Suli 4. Zac Lomax 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Jack Bird 7. Ben Hunt 8. Francis Molo 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Josh Kerr 11. Tariq Sims 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Jack de Belin 14. Talatau Amone 15. Blake Lawrie 16. Josh McGuire 17. George Burgess

Team Tips: The Dragons are set to keep faith with the same 17 for Anzac Day after notching their first win since Round 1 against the Knights. Anthony Griffin is unlikely to recall Tyrell Sloan for such a big clash against the Roosters, but veteran Aaron Woods could nab a spot on the bench.

---

I'm going to back Josh McGuire starting at prop and Fuimaono on the bench. I'd also prefer Woods in the 17 before Kerr.

Starting with Lawrie and Molo is a concern I would like to see Woods or Mcguire Starting instead of Lawrie. Otherwise it's not too far off our best available 17 barring Sloan . We finally have that 4 prop rotation that I have been waiting for all season. We need to match that enforcer Hargreaves with Mcguire I'd suggest. Should be a bottler of a game and I will be there. Hopefully we can match them in the forward exchanges in the first 20 minutes. Im worried about Bird at 5/8 against Walker but in saying that Walkers defensive stats are not great so let's hope Bird gets the better of him early because as he tires Walker will take him on. Completion rate will determine whether we can hold our own today.

 

[jodragon40]

Woods or Fuimaono ahead of Kerr is a no-brainer from what I can see but maybe the coach knows something about Kerr I don't.

Kerr has had his chance in my opinion he won't be in the 17

 

[RedV01]

Kerr has had his chance in my opinion he won't be in the 17

Ever again? I think that's probably the case barring an injury crisis.

 

[RedV01]

Starting with Lawrie and Molo is a concern I would like to see Woods or Mcguire Starting instead of Lawrie. Otherwise it's not too far off our best available 17 barring Sloan . We finally have that 4 prop rotation that I have been waiting for all season. We need to match that enforcer Hargreaves with Mcguire I'd suggest. Should be a bottler of a game and I will be there. Hopefully we can match them in the forward exchanges in the first 20 minutes. Im worried about Bird at 5/8 against Walker but in saying that Walkers defensive stats are not great so let's hope Bird gets the better of him early because as he tires Walker will take him on. Completion rate will determine whether we can hold our own today.

I reckon if as you say, our forwards hold their own or even get the better of the Rorters forwards in the first 20min, Walker might be in for a hard day.

 

[Morgan]

Starting with Lawrie and Molo is a concern I would like to see Woods or Mcguire Starting instead of Lawrie. Otherwise it's not too far off our best available 17 barring Sloan . We finally have that 4 prop rotation that I have been waiting for all season. We need to match that enforcer Hargreaves with Mcguire I'd suggest. Should be a bottler of a game and I will be there. Hopefully we can match them in the forward exchanges in the first 20 minutes. Im worried about Bird at 5/8 against Walker but in saying that Walkers defensive stats are not great so let's hope Bird gets the better of him early because as he tires Walker will take him on. Completion rate will determine whether we can hold our own today.

I think McGuire starting at prop would work as well. Why wouldn't you start Molo? A starting pair of McGuire and Molo or McGuire and Woods would work in my opinion. Not sure about Molo and Woods. Both generally make good metres through the middle but neither go looking for work in defence as McGuire and Lawrie do.

Kerr has had his chance in my opinion he won't be in the 17

Agree. I can't think of anyone who has been given so many opportunities but never really capitalised on any.

 

[jodragon40]

Just announced Lawrie off the bench and Woods, starting with Burgess and Mcguire Sims also on bench

 

[Eric]

A few points from the game.

• Burgess didn't seem to have much impact. I wonder whether McGuire prop and Fuimaono on the bench is a better option.
• Are our forwards unfit? What was with the not moving up in defence in the second half?
• I think that's the best game I've seen Lawrie play. Not a step backward was his moto.
• I can see why Woods was dropped. He was good in attack. Charging forward and a few offloads but in defence sometimes he hangs out an arm and lets opposition ball runners go straight past.
• I read in the live game chat, "Amone remembered that he can run but can't tackle." I think this is pretty accurate. He needs a few training sessions with JDB, Su'A and Suli. Take turns running at him and coaching him. But it was good to see him playing to his strength and running.
• What is going on at the club with the last play options? First the NRLW and now this. Running on the last, mixing things up is good but should kick most of the time and run rarely, not vice-versa.
• Feagai is so good when he gets involved but needs to go looking for more work.

That's all I've got for now.

 

[RedV01]

A few points from the game.

• Burgess didn't seem to have much impact. I wonder whether McGuire prop and Fuimaono on the bench is a better option.
• Are our forwards unfit? What was with the not moving up in defence in the second half?
• I think that's the best game I've seen Lawrie play. Not a step backward was his moto.
• I can see why Woods was dropped. He was good in attack. Charging forward and a few offloads but in defence sometimes he hangs out an arm and lets opposition ball runners go straight past.
• I read in the live game chat, "Amone remembered that he can run but can't tackle." I think this is pretty accurate. He needs a few training sessions with JDB, Su'A and Suli. Take turns running at him and coaching him. But it was good to see him playing to his strength and running.
• What is going on at the club with the last play options? First the NRLW and now this. Running on the last, mixing things up is good but should kick most of the time and run rarely, not vice-versa.
• Feagai is so good when he gets involved but needs to go looking for more work.

That's all I've got for now.

It seems as though the coach has told the team only Hunt is allowed to kick. That would be idiotic but that's how it seems.

 

[GCRV]

A few points from the game.

• Burgess didn't seem to have much impact. I wonder whether McGuire prop and Fuimaono on the bench is a better option.
• Are our forwards unfit? What was with the not moving up in defence in the second half?
• I think that's the best game I've seen Lawrie play. Not a step backward was his moto.
• I can see why Woods was dropped. He was good in attack. Charging forward and a few offloads but in defence sometimes he hangs out an arm and lets opposition ball runners go straight past.
• I read in the live game chat, "Amone remembered that he can run but can't tackle." I think this is pretty accurate. He needs a few training sessions with JDB, Su'A and Suli. Take turns running at him and coaching him. But it was good to see him playing to his strength and running.
• What is going on at the club with the last play options? First the NRLW and now this. Running on the last, mixing things up is good but should kick most of the time and run rarely, not vice-versa.
• Feagai is so good when he gets involved but needs to go looking for more work.

That's all I've got for now.

• I haven't checked the numbers but I think the difference between Tedesco and Mbye is "frightening".

 

[Eric]

• I haven't checked the numbers but I think the difference between Tedesco and Mbye is "frightening".

Yep. I'm glad the coach was willing to make unforced changes to a winning team with Kerr. Now I think he needs to do the same thing with Mbye.