The St George Illawarra Dragons have started 2009 with a bang, showing plenty of enthusiasm and sublime skills to totally overwhelm the Roosters in Perth.
Winning to the tune of 54-6 the Dragons line was only beaten once, their side looking to have the mongrel that was promised with their new recruits this year and each player seeming keen to earn their spot under the eyes of Wayne Bennett.
The Dragons scored 2 tries very early on and always had the jump on the Roosters, the Bondi boys looking extremely stretched fitness wise and reacted with frustration late in the piece with Braith Anasta coming to grips with Wendell Sailor in a scuffle.
Ahead 30-6 midway through the pre-season trial, the Saints were in cruise control. Their touchdowns coming through Chase Stanley, Beau Scott, Brett Morris and Michael Lett.
Matt Cooper was in vintage form and looks set to start 2009 fresh, with no injuries niggling him at present. Coops was dynamic early on, putting on his trade-mark in and away to setup the first try.
The Roosters seemed underdone and lacked focus, kicking out on the full from the restart after the early try against them.
Chase Stanley was in for more points in the second term, with new captain Dean Young getting a touchdown of his own and Beau Scott another to add to his tally.
It could have been worse for the Roosters, with Darius Boyd denied a try off a Wendell Sailor grubber but finally scoring for his new club late in the piece.
Lett crossed again in the final minutes to add some extra gloss to the Dragons’ scoreline. Coach Wayne Bennett was happy with the showing, stating that injuries were his main concern. Bennett also complemented the NRL on the new dual referee system, saying his players loved the new setup.
The Dragons will certainly be one team to benefit from the faster play, their lightning play the balls and quick-fire hands will be much more potent under the new NRL 2009 rules.