NRL Round 8 preview: Roosters v Dragons betting tips

Best bets for Roosters v Dragons

NRL Round 8: Roosters v Dragons preview

The ANZAC Day blockbuster returns to Allianz Stadium with the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons set to clash in a high-stakes showdown for Round 8 of the 2025 NRL season.

The Dragons are building momentum after back-to-back wins, while the Roosters are desperate to snap a run of poor form and restore some pride on one of the game’s most emotional days.

The Dragons are beginning to defy pre-season predictions, with three wins from their last four and a confident edge to their play.

Shane Flanagan’s side showed real resilience in last week’s tight win over Manly and now face a Roosters team that’s leaking points and struggling to stay in games for 80 minutes.

The Tricolours have dropped five of their last six matches and looked flat in their 40-12 loss to Penrith in Round 7.

Clint Gutherson has slotted in seamlessly at fullback, adding structure and class to the Dragons’ attack. Tyrell Sloan is finding the line with regularity and Valentine Holmes has brought a level of polish to the edge defence.

Meanwhile, the Roosters continue to search for answers, with Hugo Savala and Sandon Smith lacking fluency in the halves and their forward pack struggling to dominate, yet they come in as $1.73 favourites with top online bookmakers.

Roosters v Dragons Rd 8 team news

Sydney Roosters

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Sandon Smith
7. Hugo Savala
8. Spencer Leniu
9. Connor Watson
10. Naufahu Whyte
11. Angus Crichton
12. Siua Wong
13. Victor Radley
14. Zach Dockar-Clay
15. Salesi Foketi
16. Blake Steep
17. Egan Butcher

Billy Smith and Angus Crichton return to the starting 13 for the Roosters, Spencer Leniu starts for the injured Nat Butcher, and Egan Butcher returns from a long-term layoff via the bench. Dom Young drops out.

St George Illawarra Dragons

1. Clinton Gutherson
2. Tyrell Sloan
3. Moses Suli
4. Valentine Holmes
5. Sione Finau
6. Kyle Flanagan
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Toby Couchman
9. Damien Cook
10. David Klemmer
11. Luciano Leilua
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack De Belin
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Blake Lawrie
16. Emre Guler
17. Dylan Egan

Sione Finau replaces the injured Mat Feagai on the wing for St George. Emre Guler returns from suspension on the bench, and the rest of the team remains unchanged from last week’s win.

Roosters v Dragons ANZAC Day betting predictions

The Red V are playing with confidence and are a genuine chance of toppling a Roosters outfit that’s down on form. With Gutherson controlling the backfield and the Dragons sharper on the edges, they should be able to control possession and force errors from a Sydney side ranked bottom three in run metres and opposition 20m tackles. With the Dragons paying $2.10 for the win at BetOnline, this is a real value play.

Billy Smith has crossed in four of his last five games and is one of the few consistent attacking threats in the Roosters’ backline. He’ll be up against an inexperienced edge defence and looks set to get plenty of early ball from the halves. In a game expected to have points, Smith is a strong chance to cross again at $2.60 odds with BetOnline.

Clint Gutherson has been elite in recent weeks, helping turn the Dragons’ season around with big defensive plays, line assists, and try involvements. If the Dragons win this, expect Gutho’s fingerprints all over it. At $7.50 with BetOnline, he represents outstanding value for best-on-ground honours in a marquee clash.

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