Player ratings for St George Illawarra’s 24-8 Anzac Day win over Sydney Roosters
FIND out who starred, who struggled and who got the job done in the Anzac Day clash between the Roosters and the Dragons in our player ratings.
Dragons
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THE Dragons have put together a tough and composed performance to hold off the Roosters and claim victory on Anzac Day with a strong 24-8 win.
Here’s who starred in struggled in the high-quality fixture.
DRAGONS
1. Matt Dufty — 5
Was well-contained, but threw a fine pass for Macdonald’s second try, even though it shouldn’t have been given.
2. Nene Macdonald — 7
One good finish, one bad finish, but two tries. Throw in a heap of work and it was a good performance.
3. Euan Aitken — 5
Didn’t get the clean ball he would have liked, but held Mitchell in check.
4. Tim Lafai — 4
Some strong carries, but his hands let him down more than once.
5. Jason Nightingale — 8
Perhaps the best player on the park in the opening 40. Didn’t get on the scoresheet but excelled everywhere else.
6. Gareth Widdop — 7
Marvellous touch off the boot for Macdonald’s first try and a terrific pass for Sims. His combination with Hunt is a joy to watch.
7. Ben Hunt — 8
Close to his best game for the Dragons. When he trusts his running game, all things are possible.
8. James Graham — 6
Didn’t get the big minutes, but worked hard when he was on.
9. Cameron McInnes — 6
Didn’t quite get the attacking opportunities he would have liked but rattled the ivories whenever he tackled.
10. Paul Vaughan — 6
Carried the ball well early and late, but didn’t dominate like he has in other matches this season.
11. Tyson Frizell — 7
Powerful on both sides of the ball. His combination with Hunt is still getting there, but he’s a mountain for this team.
12. Tariq Sims — 8
Our pick for man of the match, just shading Hunt. He has never played better. Went after Cooper Cronk in attack and defence every single time.
13. Jack de Belin — 6
The heart and soul of the forward pack. Reckons he’s made for Origin and he might just be right.
14. Jeremy Latimore — 6
An underrated contributor off the bench every single week.
15. Kurt Mann — 5
Had a couple of nice touches in his new role in the middle.
16. Leeson Ah Mau — 6
The veteran has become one of the best bench players in the comp and today was no exception.
17. Jacob Host — 2
Didn’t see much game time.
Total: 102
ROOSTERS
1. James Tedesco — 7
Ran, ran and ran some more. The attack isn’t quite there for the Roosters, but it’s not a lack of effort on Tedesco’s part.
2. Joseph Manu — 5
Couldn’t get involved.
3. Latrell Mitchell — 6
Looks good when he gets it, but doesn’t get it enough. Is that on him or the players inside?
4. Mitchell Aubusson — 5
Solid enough, as ever.
5. Blake Ferguson — 6
Carried the ball well, as he is wont to do. Dropped a ball for a Dragons try, as he is wont to do.
6. Luke Keary — 6
Lacked the final touch to break through the Red V. His combination with Cronk looks terrific at times but fades in and out of matches.
7. Cooper Cronk — 6
Kicked well, as he has all year, but is clearly frustrated by the rough edges on this Roosters team.
8. Zane Tetevano — 5
Runs hard and hits harder, but his hands let him down at crucial moments.
9. Jake Friend — 5
Tackled well but his service wasn’t the best.
10. Dylan Napa — 5
Was whole hearted in the opening stages but made little impact afterwards.
11. Boyd Cordner — 6
Still struggling to come back from knee surgery. Ran well and tackled stoutly, but his miss on Hunt near halftime was a crucial one.
12. Ryan Matterson — 6
Toiled hard, but not as much grunt with the ball as he would have liked.
13. Isaac Liu — 6
Solid enough, but not near his form of late last year.
14. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves — 7
His best game in some time. Helped the Roosters win the middle when he came on and was close to his team’s best.
15. Sio Suia Taukeiaho — 7
A good return from a knee injury. Should return to the starting side soon.
16. Nat Butcher — 4
Didn’t get a whole lot of game time but ripped in when he did.
17. Victor Radley — 6
Always looks likely, in attack and defence. The calls from fans for him to replace Friend won’t go away.
Roosters: 98