Roosters looking to avoid fall to bottom of NRL pile

George Clarke |

The Roosters will look to turn around their flagging fortunes in their Anzac Day clash.
The Roosters will look to turn around their flagging fortunes in their Anzac Day clash.

A defeat against St George Illawarra would send the once high-flying Sydney Roosters tumbling to the foot of the NRL ladder for the first time in close to a decade.

But, even while acknowledging they need wins, coach Trent Robinson isn’t ramping up the expectation ahead of Friday’s Anzac Day clash with the Dragons.

The Roosters (2-5) have struggled to start the year and would fall below bottom-placed Parramatta, who receive two points for their bye, if they are unable to beat the Dragons at Allianz Stadium.

The 16th-placed Roosters haven’t occupied last spot this late into a season since their 2016 horror campaign. 

Trent
Trent Robinson wants his team to focus on the process. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)

“We know we need to pick up wins, but we haven’t really discussed that (ladder position) at all,” Robinson said. 

“It’s about how we want to play footy, and we think if we do that, then we’ll pick up wins. 

“So that hasn’t been discussed… but how we want to play has been discussed a fair bit.”

The Roosters are conceding close to 29 points per game and have lost all three of their home games this season by 18 points or more. 

England Test winger Dominic Young was dropped after several poor moments in defence, with Robinson shifting ex-Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase onto the wing and bringing Billy Smith into the centres. 

Blly
Billy Smith has been given his chance in the centres. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)

But Dragons coach Shane Flanagan is aware that the Anzac Day game – in which Saints were smashed 60-18 last year – could be just the occasion to spark the Roosters into life. 

“I know what team is going to come out, with James Tedesco and that club, the history of it, the importance of the day, I know what team will turn up,” Flanagan said.

Flanagan’s side have the chance to claim a third consecutive win for the first time since 2022.

And while the Dragons coach has been satisfied with his team’s 3-3 start, a win over the Roosters would reassure him the Red V are on the right track. 

Darons
The Dragons have had a bit to shout about in the last two weeks. (HANDOUT/NRL PHOTOS)

“We’re not going to put our hand up saying we’re a top-eight side, we’ve got to do it consistently,” Flanagan said. 

“Last year, we beat Melbourne in Melbourne but we didn’t back it up. 

“We’ve got two in a row but we need to put a good month of football together.

“Overall, one more win would probably give it a tick for the start of our season but we’ve got to continue, the job’s not done.” 

AAP