NRL 2020: Roosters’ win over Dragons marred by ‘ugly acts’

NRL greats and fans have teed off over some ugly moments which have marred the Sydney Roosters’ win over the St George Illawarra Dragons.

A try for the Roosters’ Mitch Aubusson in his 300th game.

The Sydney Roosters have claimed yet another win to make the St George Illawarra Dragons’ uphill battle to make the finals even harder.

With just seven games left and the other 14 teams still to play, the Dragons have just four wins and sit two games outside of the top eight after Thursday night’s 24-16 defeat.

Fox League commentators admit the club are getting towards the point of needing to win every game to make the finals this season.

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But in a game with plenty of feeling with the Roosters wearing their ANZAC jerseys and The Last Post played before the game to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine, several ugly incidents marred the game.

The Roosters scored through a soft dummy half try from Joseph Manu a minute into the game before 300 gamer Mitchell Aubusson scored in the 13th minute and it looked like it could be one way traffic for the defending premiers.

But Roosters skipper Jake Friend could be in trouble, hitting Adam Clune high after the Dragons’ halfback kicked in the eighth minute.

Then in the 20th minute, when the Dragons hit back through Zac Lomax, Roosters winger Ryan Hall twisted late while holding the centre’s leg.

Lomax‘s left knee, which was heavily strapped, was twisted with the breakthrough performer wincing in pain.

Zac Lomax was in pain as his leg was twisted.

Channel 7 sports journalist Chris Garry called it a “dog act”, adding “No need for the twist. Should be suspended.” while SMH sports writer Sam Phillips added “Geeeee that was ugly from Ryan Hall.”

Lomax was alright in the end, taking the kick from the sideline for the try and not leaving the field but debate raged online whether it should be looked at by the match review committee.

“You can see Hall here twist his leg,” Braith Anasta said on Fox League. “I’m sure it wasn’t intentional but Lomax wasn’t happy about it.”

Lomax shrugged the incident off, beating his teammate Matt Dufty to the ball to score the next try and send the sides to the break at 10-all.

The Roosters scored early in the second through Sitili Tupouniua before two late tries sealed the result.

It was Luke Keary’s 75th minute try that returned the favour and got former NRL greats hot under the collar.

As Keary was set to run straight through, Dragons lock Jackson Ford appeared to trip the Roosters half, who landed on his face.

Luke Keary was tripped as he went for the second last try.

He stood up holding his ribs after the incident.

Anasta said: “You can’t do that. It’s not good from Ford, Keary was injured that’s not good at all. He’s in some big trouble.”

On Channel 9, Phil Gould was calling for a send off.

Andrew Johns said “that is dangerous”, with Gould adding ”That‘s nearly the send off offence”.

“That‘s the send off one, that’s the one that used to be a send off, you can’t do that,” he said. “This is the one where he can’t get to him with his hands and he’s kicked out with his legs.”

The Dragons scored late to have a consolation try, with the result making a finals charge more difficult.