All eyes were on the Dragons after Anthony Griffin’s sacking mid-week and they have responded by shooting out to a 14-6 lead over the Roosters.
Powerhouse centre Moses Suli, who shifted back to his preferred left centre under interim coach Ryan Carr, out-lept Joseph Suaali’i to catch a bomb and run 95 metres to score.
“They have flipped a switch… Dragons off to a flyer,” Fox League commentator Andrew Voss said after the Dragons’ lively start.
MATCH CENTRE: Dragons vs Roosters live score, stats, video
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It took just five minutes for the Dragons to go over again as skipper Ben Hunt, who was back at halfback and went through a gaping hole in the Roosters’ defence.
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.
A furiours Roosters coach Trent Robinson was seen in the coaches box during a concerning first half. It’s the third week in a row the Chooks haven’t scored a point before half time.
Former Rooster Cooper Cronk said at half time they looked “in all sorts” and are “struggling to find any rhythm on both sides (of the ball).”
But whatever was said in the sheds worked because 10 minutes into the second half, James Tedesco scored the Roosters’ first — even if it was an odd-looking try.
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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