The Sydney Roosters secured a convincing win against the St George Illawarra Dragons in their Anzac Day NRL clash, largely due to Sandon Smith's outstanding performance. Smith's impressive playmaking, including a crucial grubber kick, was highlighted by coach Trent Robinson as the best of his 36 NRL games.
The Roosters controlled the majority of possession, creating a significant advantage. Young halves Sandon Smith and Hugo Savala, despite early mistakes, impressed with their response. Savala recovered from a costly error to score his first NRL try.
The Dragons, on the other hand, struggled significantly. Coach Shane Flanagan attributed the loss to self-inflicted errors and praised the Roosters' performance. The Dragons' struggles are evident in the disparity between the number of tackles each team had to make, indicating the Roosters controlled most of the game.
The Roosters’ win comes amidst a fluctuating season. With the return of Sam Walker in six weeks, the future dynamics of the team are uncertain. However, Smith’s Anzac Day performance will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight.