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St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters NRL Betting Tips - Dragons to fire up for ANZAC Day clash

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Fri 24 Apr 2026 09:55
In Round 8 of the NRL, the St George Illawarra Dragons face the Sydney Roosters in the annual ANZAC Day clash. With Dean Young stepping in as interim coach following Shane Flanagan's departure, significant changes have been made, including promoting young gun Kade Reed to halfback. The Dragons center their hopes on a strong defensive showing against a Rooster side known for slow starts, yet formidable finishes. Betting tips favor the Dragons to cover the +8.5 first-half line and foresee a low-scoring affair under 52.5 total points.
Andrew Hendrie 24 Apr 2026
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  • Dean Young steps in as interim coach for Dragons
  • Roosters have started slow this season, relying on second-half comebacks
  • Dragons cover +8.5 first-half line, expect under 52.5 total points
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Dragons Roosters NRL
Dragons & Roosters clash on ANZAC Day (Photo by Getty Images)


St George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters Preview


Shane Flanagan paid the price after 11 straight defeats for the Dragons and Dean Young takes over on an interim basis. 

The change, coupled with the ANZAC Day occasion, can see them stay close enough to the Roosters in the opening half and cover the first half +8.5 line.
  • Roosters have failed to cover a -8.5 line in all six first halves this season, losing five
  • Dragons have covered a +8.5 line in six of their seven first halves this season
  • Dragons have seen Under 52.5 points in six of their seven games this season
  • Valentine Holmes has missed 33 tackles this season, including 10 last week - allowing four tries to Latrell
  • Hugo Savala scored a double at left centre for the Roosters last week vs Knights & scored on ANZAC Day last season
  • Angus Crichton has scored two tries in his last four games vs Dragons

Dragons vs Roosters Head To Head

The Roosters have won five of the last six ANZAC Day encounters, while the Dragons have won just two of their last 15 meetings with the Chooks overall.

The Roosters were dominant 46-18 winners in this game last year.

St George Illawarra Dragons Form - A New Era Begins

Shane Flanagan simply had to go. Eleven defeats on the spin and just some simply awful and uninspiring footy, especially in attack. 

The Dragons for the most part aren't being blown off the park, but a change was certainly needed - whether Dean Young is the man to take them forward remains to be seen, but it can't get any worse.

The Dragons lost their seventh match in a row to start the season with last week's 30-12 defeat to the Rabbitohs, failing to score a point in the second half as Jaydn Su'A was sent off with 10 minutes remaining.

Valentine Holmes remains in terrible form, missing a staggering 10 tackles and being primarily responsible for Latrell running riot with four tries down his right edge.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team News

Kade Reed gets his chance, perhaps earlier than expected, for a first grade debut at halfback, pushing Kyle Flanagan to the bench.

Moses Suli returns in the centres, so Mat Feagai goes to the wing and David Fale drops out with a hamstring injury.

Ryan Couchman makes a timely return from suspension to replace Jaydn Su'A, who has been banned for three games for his high shot on Cameron Murray last week.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team List

1. Tyrell Sloan 
2. Setu Tu 
3. Moses Suli 
4. Valentine Holmes 
5. Mathew Feagai 
6. Daniel Atkinson 
7. Kade Reed 
8. Emre Guler 
9. Damien Cook 
10. Toby Couchman 
11. Luciano Leilua 
12. Ryan Couchman 
13. Hamish Stewart

Interchange 
14. Josh Kerr 
15. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 
16. Blake Lawrie 
17. Jacob Halangahu

Reserves 
18. Kyle Flanagan 
19. Christian Tuipulotu 
20. Hayden Buchanan 
21. Hame Sele 
22. Ryan Hutchinson

Sydney Roosters Form - Far From Perfect

The Roosters come into this contest with four wins from their last five game and sitting pretty in fifth spot on the ladder. However, it's been far from perfect.

Trent Robinson will want to fix his side's slow start to games, which is becoming a worrying trend and not sustainable for long-term success.

The Chooks have managed to dig themselves out of trouble in their last two games against the Sharks and Knights, where they trailed by 12 points at half-time in each.

The Roosters kept their opposition scoreless in the second half of both of those games - they can be rock solid defensively, they just need the motivation from the get-go.

Sydney Roosters Team News

Only the one change to the 19-man squad from last week, with Billy Smith inching closer to a return from injury.

Sydney Roosters Team List

1. James Tedesco 
2. Daniel Tupou 
3. Hugo Savala 
4. Robert Toia 
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 
6. Daly Cherry-Evans 
7. Sam Walker 
8. Naufahu Whyte 
9. Reece Robson 
10. Lindsay Collins 
11. Angus Crichton 
12. Siua Wong 
13. Victor Radley 

Interchange
14. Connor Watson 
15. Spencer Leniu 
16. Nat Butcher 
17. Salesi Foketi 

Reserves
18. Cody Ramsey 
19. Billy Smith 
20. Benaiah Ioelu 
21. Egan Butcher 
22. Tommy Talau

Verdict

The Dragons are tipped to cover a +8.5 start in the first half in a game that sees Under 52.5 total points. Savala & Crichton backed to cross.


Best Bet1: Dragons +8.5 1st Half Line @17/20 at Hollywood bets - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Under 52.5 Total Points @9/10 at bet365 - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Hugo Savala Anytime Tryscorer @6/5 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Angus Crichton 1st, 2nd or 3rd Tryscorer @13/2 at Hollywood bets - 1 Unit
Dragons +8.5
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Hugo Savala
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Angus Crichton
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