With one win between seventh on the ladder and 11th, the heat is rising on the five sides in that logjam.
The Dragons have won just one of their past four and sit in 11th while the Roosters slipped to ninth on the back of a disappointing loss to Wests Tigers.
The Roosters will be sweating on the availability of their Origin reps Angus Crichton, Rob Toia, Lindsay Collins, Spencer Leniu and Connor Watson, all of whom will no doubt be keen to back up to try and help their side to a crucial win.
When the two sides clashed on Anzac Day it was the Roosters doing a job on the Red V in a 46-18 triumph and the boys from Bondi will go in as warm favourites to repeat the dose at Kogarah.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 19 -
home Team
Dragons
12th Position
away Team
Roosters
10th Position
Venue: Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Dragons: Maroons star Val Holmes has been named to back up from Origin Three so Corey Allan goes to 18th man. Back-rowers Luciano Leilua (quad) and Hamish Stewart (concussion) are back on deck so Michael Molo reverts to the bench and Viliami Fifita and Loko Pasifiki Tonga drop out.
Roosters: Gun halfback Sam Walker makes his long-awaited return to the NRL after a thumb injury delayed his comeback after he had recovered from an ACL injury. Centre Billy Smith (knee) and lock Victor Radley (concussion) also return in a further boost for the Bondi boys. Origin reps Rob Toia, Connor Watson, Lindsay Collins, Angus Crichton and Spencer Leniu have all been named to back up following the decider.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 19 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton GuthersonFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Tyrell SloanWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses SuliCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Valentine HolmesCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Sione FinauWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-TogiaFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Hugo Savala
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre GulerProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien CookHooker for Roosters is number 9 Connor Watson
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Angus Crichton
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Salesi Foketi
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De BelinLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob LiddleInterchange for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Hamish StewartInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Zach Dockar-Clay
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Blake LawrieInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Blake Steep
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Michael MoloInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Corey AllanReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Dragons have won four of their past five games at home.
- The Roosters have won 12 of their past 14 games against the Dragons.
- The Dragons have conceded 134 points in their past four games.
- Roosters fullback James Tedesco has scored nine tries in his last six games against the Dragons.
- Dragons second-rower Jaydn Su’A will make his 150th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
