Netstrata Jubilee Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 12 NRL game between St. George Illawarra Dragons and Sydney Roosters. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Sydney Roosters game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday May 19, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Where: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters Odds
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters Preview
Four weeks is a long time in rugby league and the fortunes of these clubs have nosedived since Luke Keary’s field goal staved off a stirring St George Illawarra comeback on Anzac Day, Sydney Roosters prevailing 27-26.
After a dismal 42-22 loss to North Queensland extended the Dragons’ losing streak to six matches, the joint venture stopped delaying the inevitable and punted coach Anthony Griffin – albeit handling it atrociously. Assistant Ryan Carr will take the reins as interim coach.
Carr has immediately recalled contentiously dropped duo Zac Lomax and Jacob Liddle, while Ben Hunt returns to halfback and Jayden Sullivan to the bench. Moses Mbye drops out.
The Roosters beat the Warriors 14-0 on a five-day turnaround from Anzac Day, but since then the heavyweights have crashed to awful defeats to the Cowboys (20-6) in Magic Round and Panthers (48-4).
A harsh media spotlight is shining on the Roosters – and underperforming stars Brandon Smith and Joseph Suaalii, in particular – while James Tedesco is struggling to find his best and Joey Manu suffered an ankle injury at Penrith.
With Sam Walker unavailable, Drew Hutchison comes into the halves for Manu. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been named despite exiting with a pec injury last week, while Egan Butcher is back from concussion.
The Roosters have won nine of their last 10 against the Saints, with their last four wins in the rivalry producing match totals of 44-plus points.
The sacked-coach factor often provides a galvanising effect and I’d expect an improved, emotion-charged showing from the Dragons, who have covered eight of their last 10 at Kogarah. With the Roosters travelling so poorly – and scoring just 15.7 points per game – this should be a tight and tense affair.
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Head To Head Bet
We're tipping Sydney Roosters to win at $1.46 odds.
First Try Scorer
First Try Scorer: James Tedesco at $12.
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs Sydney Roosters 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 11. Jack Bird 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Michael Molo 14. Jayden Sullivan 15. Toby Couchman 16. Ben Murdoch-Masila 17. Josh Kerr 18. Francis Molo 19. Moses Mbye 20. Jaiyden Hunt 21. Zane Musgrove 22. Max Feagai
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Corey Allan 3. Joseph Suaalii 4. Billy Smith 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Drew Hutchison 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Egan Butcher 12. Sitili Tupouniua 13. Victor Radley 14. Jake Turpin 15. Nat Butcher 16. Angus Crichton 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Sandon Smith 19. Fletcher Baker 20. Nathan Brown 21. Junior Pauga 22. Terrell May