3 hours ago
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Second half under way
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Here we go.
I was prepared to write something like...The Dragons have emerged with a new-found energy blah blah blah.
Instead, I have to write that the Dragons have handed the ball over in the first set of the half, AND, the Roosters score as a result.
The only saving grace is that the try for Robert Toia (oh yeah, that was who scored) has been taken away for an obstruction.
It doesn’t, however, erase the fact that the Dragons have started this half in the worst possible way.
Roosters 34, Dragons 4 with 39 minutes to go
The stats at half-time
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Dragons drag their feet off the field at half-time
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Finally, Grant Atkins blows the whistle for half-time.
Time to take a breath.
The Roosters players are high-fiving and patting each other on the back. Meanwhile, it’s hands on hips and boots being dragged along the turf for the Dragons.
It will be about minimising the damage and salvaging some pride for the Dragons in the second half.
Half-time: Roosters 34, Dragons 4
Reed kicks corner post in frustration as Nawaqanitawase scores a double
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As Mark Nawaqanitawase goes across for his second try of the afternoon, Kade Reed sends the corner post flying with a kick.
That, dear readers, is frustration after he slipped off the tackle of Nawaqanitawase.
The Roosters go past 30 points with half-time less than a minute away.
Roosters 34, Dragons 4 after 39 minutes
Atkinson sent to the bin as Roosters extend their tally
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The Dragons are their own worst enemy right now.
Playmaker Daniel Atkinson is sent to the bin for a professional foul.
Already Atkinson had given away a set restart for slowing down the play-the-ball, but now referee Grant Atkins sends him to the bin after he plays at the arm of Sam Walker at dummy half.
It’s a controversial call from Atkins, with Atkinson arguing that he was making a tackle rather than playing at the arm, but Atkins sends him to the bin anyway.
The Dragons get lucky as Daniel Tupou loses the ball in the next set, but two minutes later Robert Toia crosses to add another to the tally.
Roosters 28, Dragons 4 after 34 minutes
Leilua back from the bin
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Luciano Leilus is back on the field, and now the Dragons get a penalty for a high tackle on Blake Lawrie.
Are we about to see momentum shift in the Dragons favour?
Roosters 22, Dragons 4 after 27 minutes
Dragons on the board after Reed manufactures try for Tu
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Kade Reed is everywhere, and he plays his part in getting the Dragons their first try of the afternoon.
And, it’s while they have one less man on the field.
What a response from the Dragons, with Setu Tu managing to trudge across the line and score despite Sam Walker and Daniel Tupou trying to spoil his fun.
Valentine Holmes misses the conversion and the difference in 18.
Roosters 22, Dragons 4 after 25 minutes
Walker scores a double
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Well, I said they would get worse, and they just did.
Sam Walker scores his second try of the afternoon from a kick-off set after James Tedesco once again goes up the guts and completely splits the Dragons defence.
At this rate, the Tricolours will score at least another two tries before the Dragons get Luciano Leilua back from the sin bin.
Roosters 22, Dragons 0 after 21 minutes
Leilua sent to the bin
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If you thought things were bad for the Dragons, they’ve just got a lot worse.
Luciano Leilua is sent to the bin for high contact on Sam Walker after he kicked on the last.
In the words of referee Grant Atkins: “It’s high contact, it’s moderate force, you’re on report and you’re in the bin.”
Mark Nawaqanitawase goes across to score in the next set.
Roosters 16, Dragons 0 after 19 minutes
Wong scores after Feagai error
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Oh no...this is where it starts to unravel.
One try very quickly turns into two, with Mathew Feagai losing the ball just metres in front of the Dragons line.
Robert Tois is there to clean up the mess, and he passes out Siua Wong to score.
This has been a very unfortunate three minutes for the Dragons.
Roosters 12, Dragons 0 after 12 minutes
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