Game day guide: Indigenous Round v Roosters

Author: Dragons.com.au dragons.com.au
Timestamp: Tue 16 May 2023, 05:59 PM

The St George Illawarra Dragons will meet the Sydney Roosters on Friday, May 19th at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah. This is your game day guide.

Indigenous Round

One of the NRL’s most important annual celebrations Indigenous Round takes centre stage this weekend.

Indigenous All Stars representatives Tyrell Sloan, Jack Bird, and Josh Kerr have all been named in the Dragons’ side for this week as they look to continue the club’s strong legacy of Indigenous players.

Jamie Soward was a key member of the Dragons’ 2010 premiership-winning squad whilst Nathan Blacklock, Anthony Mundine, and Amos Roberts are among other Indigenous greats to have left their mark on the club.

Both sides will be wearing specially-designed Indigenous jerseys when they face off at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium – the home of the Bidjigal and Bediagal Peoples – on Friday.

Key timings:

Gates open: 5.00pm
NRL kick-off v Roosters: 6.00pm
Where: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
Watch: Kayo and Foxtel

Dragons to don special jersey

The Dragons’ jersey will feature Zoe Raymond’s artwork ‘Stand Your Ground’ which depicts the truth-telling account of the Biddea’gal and Dharawal peoples battles against colonists in the early 1800s, led by supreme Aboriginal warrior Pemulwuy.

Zoe’s jersey artwork features a silhouette of Pemulwuy, watching over country, and a trail of spears that replicate the 12-year fight he led against the colonist.

The different communities that make up the St George Illawarra region are represented through the circles.

The U shapes with spears that line the top of the design represent the Dragons players, who stand their ground in and outside of the field and protect the country and the people today; showing the way for our future generations and being the warriors of now

Carr steps in

Ryan Carr was promoted to interim coach earlier this week after the Dragons announced they were parting ways with Anthony Griffin.

The 34-year-old was a talented player coming through the grades with the Wests Tigers and South Sydney Rabbitohs before transitioning into coaching.

He coached the Featherstone Rovers to a Grand Final in the English second division in 2019 before making his way back to Australia to flank Brad Arthur at Parramatta and eventually link up with the Dragons prior to this season.

Lomax, Liddle return

Zac Lomax and Jacob Liddle have both been named to start for interim coach Ryan Carr after the pair missed out on selection for the past two clashes.

Lomax replaces Max Feagai in the centres whilst Liddle’s return to the hooking role results in a spine shift with Ben Hunt returning into the halves, Jayden Sullivan reverting to the interchange, and Moses Mbye among the reserves.

Lomax and Liddle both played crucial roles in the Dragons’ come-from-behind, KOE NSW Cup win over the Knights on Sunday.

Manu unavailable for visitors

The Roosters have been dealt a difficult blow with New Zealand international Joseph Manu ruled out of this weekend’s clash with an ankle injury.

Sam Walker is also unavailable due to injury paving the way for Drew Hutchison to make his return to the side at halfback.

Egan Butcher returns from a head knock to partner Sitili Tupouniua in the second row with Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher both named on the bench and Fletcher Baker among the reserves.

Brandon Smith has been named to start at hooker after shifting back to the interchange prior to kick-off last week.

Last time they met…

When the Dragons face the Roosters on Friday, just 24 days will have passed since the last time they met on ANZAC Day at Allianz Stadium.

The Roosters jumped out to a 26-12 lead early in the second half before a Tyrell Sloan-led fightback resulted in a trio of Dragons tries in just eight minutes to ignite the momentous clash.

Tautau Moga finished with a well-deserved hat-trick but a Luke Keary field goal proved the difference with the Tricolours holding on for a 27-26 win.