Dragons go down on Anzac Day

The intensity was up early with Tyrell Sloan throwing Billy Smith over the sideline in the opening set of the game off the back of a Hugo Savala break prompting both sides to come together in fiery fashion.

The hosts’ strong start continued with Daniel Tupou finding space down the left flank in their second set and hitting a supporting Smith with a flick on the inside.

Smith converted his own try to make it 6-0 a little over four minutes into the contest.

The visitors’ goal-line defence was tested again moments later but it resulted in a try the other way with Valentine Holmes producing a crunching tackle on Savala to jolt the ball free.

Finau picked the loose Steeden up and streaked 80 metres downfield untouched to nab his maiden NRL four-pointer with Holmes knocking over the extras to tie things up.

Finau found himself in the thick of things again soon after skying to defuse an attacking Roosters kick in-goal and relieve his side of some pressure.

The Roosters found a response through Mark Nawaqanitawase however with the winger diving over in the right corner after the ball hit the turf off a piece of broken play to make it 12-6.

Damien Cook left the field just shy of the half-hour mark for a HIA – which he ultimately passed – seeing Jacob Liddle injected into the action.

Nawaqanitawase went in search of a second moments later picking the ball up from inside his own 10-metre zone and racing off only to be chased down by Gutherson and Holmes.

The Dragons were whistled for being offside off it however with Sandon Smith slotting a penalty goal to extend the hosts’ lead beyond a converted try.

The Roosters’ strong opening forty persisted with Smith finding a second in fortuitous fashion off a ricocheted pass to make it 20-6 headed into the break.

A Cook break through the centre of the field saw the Dragons earn some rare attacking field position with Sandon Smith sin binned off it for a swinging arm which caught Lachlan Ilias high.

Next points came as the hosts opted to have a shot at another penalty goal as their advantage grew out to 22-6.

Things went from bad to worse for the Red V the following set with Blake Steep surging into space from inside his own half and over off a Zach Dockar-Clay offload to make the lead an imposing one.

The Dragons were able to get something out of the 13-on-12 period with Gutherson taking in a Luciano Leilua offload and crafting an around-the-corner pass to Holmes who motored into space and found a supporting Kyle Flanagan on the inside to score.

Smith made an impact upon returning to lay a try on for Tedesco then added another penalty goal to make it 36-12.

Sloan found a third try for the visitors after a late Toby Couchman offload made its way to the Dragons winger who had ventured in-field looking for an opportunity.

Tedesco and Savala both notched tries for the hosts as the minutes ticked away to make it 46-18.