It was the NRLW grand final rematch. The Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons. The first half was as tight as you like. 6-all at the break.
In the end, however, it was the class and guile of halfback Raecene McGregor and the experience of Sammy Bremner that saw the Roosters run away with the contest.
The win sees the Roosters secure a finals spot with three successive wins to begin their campaign, as they look as good as ever to go back-to-back.
It would be the Dragons who scored the first ever try at the new refurbished Allianz Stadium.
Monalisa Soliola put the foot down on the left edge, and bustled her way over despite the attention of several defenders.
McGregor then laid on the first of her four try assists with a pinpoint kick for Leianne Tufuga, who kept her eyes on the ball, grabbed the ball and planted it down to score.
After some steely defence to deny the Dragons a second try, the Roosters would soon grab their second.
Talented utility Jocelyn Kelleher threw a dummy, hit the gap and was able to reach out and slam the ball down for the Roosters second try.
McGregor’s kicking game was on point and her second try assist was timed to perfection as a beautifully weighted grubber sat up nicely for halves partner Zahara Temara to score.
McGregor and Bremner then combined, as the half took the line on, found her fullback and Bremner did the rest, evading defenders at ease to coast away and score.
A Roosters young gun was then able to get her name on the scoresheet and McGregor was again involved, her fourth try assist.
Once again taking the line on, McGregor drew the defenders in and laid off a short pass for Otesa Pule to barge over with ease.
The salt in the wound came when the Roosters scored with 1 minute to go, a left side play that saw Kelleher grab her second.
The Dragons’ woes were compounded with the loss of Holli Wheeler who has suffered a possible collarbone injury.
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Raecene McGregor (SYD)
2. Jocelyn Kelleher (SYD)
1. Otesa Pule (SYD)
