Matchday Details
Saturday, 25 April 2026 – 4:00pm AEST – Allianz Stadium, Sydney
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Grant Atkins| Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
St George Illawarra Dragons: 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 (c), 10. Toby Couchman, 11. Luciano Leilua, 12. Ryan Couchman, 13. Hamish Stewart, 14. Josh Kerr, 15. Loko Pasifiki Tonga, 16. Blake Lawrie, 17. Jacob Halangahu, 18. Kyle Flanagan, 19. Christian Tuipulotu, 20. Hayden Buchanan, 21. Hame Sele, 22. Ryan Hutchinson
Sydney Roosters: 1. James Tedesco (c), 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, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Salesi Foketi, 18. Cody Ramsey, 19. Billy Smith, 20. Benaiah Ioelu, 21. Egan Butcher, 22. Tommy Talau
Match Preview
There are few events in the NRL quite as special as the traditional ANZAC Day match between the Dragons and Roosters, however this year’s match is unlike any that has come before it.
The Roosters have quietly snuck up to equal-second on the ladder after overhauling double-digit deficits in their past two matches, while the Dragons have lost all seven games to sit comfortably last and have the worst attack and third-worst defence to show for it. They also enter the match with a new coach in Dean Young after Shane Flanagan was sacked on Monday morning.
Young has begun his tenure as interim coach with a host of changes, the most notable being the debut of 20-year-old Wests Wollongong junior Kade Reed at halfback. Reed has come through the Illawarra Steelers pathways, all the way from Harold Matthews Cup in 2022, and takes the place of Kyle Flanagan, who has been dropped to the extended bench. Jaydn Su’A is suspended for three matches after being sent off for a high tackle on Cameron Murray in the Dragons’ loss to South Sydney on Saturday night, with his place in the back row being taken by Ryan Couchman, returning from a suspension of his own. Moses Suli returns to the side at centre, pushing Matthew Feagai to the wing and David Fale out of the side. Hamish Stewart has been named to start at lock with Josh Kerr dropping to the bench.
It’s much more settled at Bondi, with Roosters coach Trent Robinson naming an unchanged 17 to the one that defeated Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. Hugo Savala has been rewarded for a pair of strong performances at left centre by retaining that position, with Billy Smith selected on the bench as he looks to return from a knee complaint.
Nothing has gone right for the Dragons so far in season 2026. A sacked coach, a club record losing run, the worst attacking record and the third-worst defensive record in the competition headline their issues, however they have problems all across the field.
The Roosters have been well below their best so far this season, yet still sit just two points off the top of the ladder. They have won three straight, yet have trailed at half-time in each of those games. Their discipline has let them down in first halves, yet has helped them to win in second halves.
It’s a battle of youth for opposing halfbacks as Sam Walker takes on debutant Reed. Reed has been instrumental in helping the Dragons’ NSW Cup side to the top four, scoring two tries and assisting five in his past three games. Reed is in a similar position to where Walker was in 2021, as a rookie coming in under enormous pressure. On that occasion, the then-18-year-old, playing his fourth first grade game, spearheaded a dominant Roosters win to take the Ashton-Collier Medal. If the Dragons are to win, they will be relying on debutant Reed to put in a similar performance.
Among the best for the Dragons, in an otherwise disappointing start to the season, has been young forwards Toby Couchman and Hamish Stewart, as well as the returning Ryan Couchman. Coming up against similar young guns at the Roosters in Naufahu Whyte and Siua Wong, their job will be tough but they’ll be confident they can lay the platform for the Dragons to spring a stunning upset.
The Roosters have dominated this match-up in recent years, winning 13 of the past 15. The Roosters have also won six of the past seven ANZAC Cup matches, with the Dragons’ last win coming in 2022. The Roosters have won the past four matches between the two teams by an average scoreline of 45-18.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Roosters by 12
Bold call: The Dragons to put in an improved performance but they’ll fall short.
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