Source : the age
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As if the past 78 minutes hadn’t been painful enough for the Dragons, the Roosters manage to slip in one last try before full-time.
This time it’s Hugo Savala who slides across under the posts and gets the points.
With another successful conversion, that’s a total of 22 points for Sandon Smith in this match.
A complete masterclass from the young playmaker, along with skipper James Tedesco, who showed his worth today.
Full-time: Roosters 46, Dragons 18
Another try for Roosters skipper James Tedesco before full-time, and the home side nudge past the 40-point mark.
Tedesco takes on Valentine Holmes, Luciano Leilua and Sione Finau in the corner, and just manages to get the ball on the turf before going into touch.
Roosters 40, Dragons 18 with three minutes to go.
Finally, a bit of luck and the quick step of Tyrell Sloan, and the Dragons finally have another try.
Sloan manages to slip between Siua Wong and Naufahu Whyte after a pass back on the inside, but it’s too little too late for the Dragons.
Roosters 36, Dragons18 with five minutes to go
We’re into the final 10 minutes here at Allianz Stadium.
Don’t be surprised if the Roosters add another try or two to their tally before half-time – they’ve already got the win, now they’re just having fun.
The Dragons have had a few repeat sets, and plenty of opportunity in this second half, but they’ve spent so much time defending that they have no energy to do anything inventive when they finally get the ball.
Roosters 36, Dragons 12 with eight minutes to go
The Dragons have well and truly lost any kind of hold they had on this match.
Back-to-back penalties, and the Roosters decide to slow things down with a penalty kick to add another two points to their tally.
What’s scary is the rate at which the Roosters are adding points, and there’s still 19 minutes left in this match.
Roosters 36, Dragons 12 with 19 minutes to go
Yeah ok, the score is starting to get away from the Dragons now.
Sandon Smith makes up for his time in the sin bin with a grubber kick for James Tedesco as he is being taken to ground.
Well weighted, well-placed, and well-liked by Tedesco, who grounds the ball to take his team past the 30-point mark.
I can’t see the Dragons coming back from here. I’m going to say it, the effort from the Dragons has fallen flat tonight.
Roosters 34, Dragons 12 with 22 minutes to go.
It’s still a huge mountain to climb, but the Dragons have started to make a move.
Valentine Holmes and Kyle Flanagan team up down the left edge, and swerve their way through the Roosters edge defence to score while Sandon Smith is still in the bin.
St George definitely haven’t made the most of having an extra player on the field, but at least they have one try to show for it.
Roosters 28, Dragons 12 with 25 minutes to go
Blink and you’ll miss it.
With one less man on the field, the Roosters slice through the Dragons defence and score under the posts.
It’s Blake Steep who gets the points this time, after Clint Gutherson once against falls for the dummy.
Roosters 28, Dragons 6 with 29 minutes to go
The Roosters are disallowed a try after it’s ruled James Tedesco knocks the ball on, but they’re awarded a penalty for Lachlan Ilias’ late contact on Hugo Savala after he kicks the ball.
The Roosters decide to take the penalty kick and run down the clock, which is smart from them given Sandon Smith remains in the bin.
Roosters 22, Dragons 6 with 31 minutes to go
Uh oh, Sandon Smith’s golden day may have just come to an end…or at least a temporary pause.
Smith’s contact with the head of Lachlan Ilias earlier in a set is high and forceful, which means the young playmaker is off to the sin bin for 10 minutes.
The Dragons should come up with a try here, with an extra man on the field, but a cut-out pass from Clint Gutherson goes to ground and the Roosters get the ball.
