Powerful forward Amber Hall and elegant centre Isabelle Kelly had a great day at the Dragons’ expense on Sunday afternoon, helping the Roosters to a 28-6 victory at WIN Stadium.

Hall, a two-time NRLW Championship winner and former Kiwi Ferns international, was back to her best in her third game of the year after missing all but the opening round of the 2023 season with a foot injury.

She finished the game with two tries and 11 tackle breaks, while captain Kelly – who had moved from the halfway line back to her more usual position in the centre before kick-off as a replacement for the injured Jessica Sergis – shone with an active performance that included a double of her own and 287 running metres.

While the final score reflected the story of a dominant performance by the Roosters, the first half hour was anything but a walk in the park for John Strange’s team.

The Dragons scored the first goal through Indigenous All Stars winger Kimberley Hunt, who headed down the wing after a breakthrough by Raecence McGregor.

But after Hall had put the visitors ahead with a first goal in the 22nd minute thanks to Jocelyn Kelleher’s subsequent bonus, the Dragons collapsed visibly in the shadow of the half-time break and were 18-6 behind at half-time.

First, a crisp shift to the left saw Kelly stroll across before Sam Bremner broke the line and linked up with winger Jayme Fressard, who did the rest.

Three minutes into the second half, Hall tried again from close range, this time taking several defenders with her to score her second try and the Roosters’ fourth of the day.

Trailing by 18 points and with 15 rounds to play, the Dragons’ task became much more difficult when McGregor left the field after a headbutt.

A try from goal-scoring full-back Teagan Berry – her 17th in the last 15 games – gave the Dragons a chance just before the end, but a failed conversion attempt from Tyla King reduced the gap to three points before Kelly sealed the result with her second try a few minutes later.

In an inferior team, Berry was once again outstanding, showing some great defensive moves and contributing three line breaks and 186 running metres with ball in hand, in addition to her try.

In addition to the defeat, the Dragons had three injury concerns: In addition to McGregor, center Bobbi Law and King also had to leave the field to have their head injuries examined.

Game Snapshot

• This result continues the Roosters’ dominance against the Red V. They have now won five of their last six games against the Dragons.
• Amber Hall had her strongest performance of the year with two tries and eleven tackle breaks.
• Dragons fullback Teagan Berry scored a try for the fifth consecutive game, equalling Jessica Sergis’ NRLW record for most consecutive games with a try, and has now scored 17 four-pointers in her last 15 appearances.

• Both teams fielded a debutant in the game: Tavarna Papalii made her first appearance for the Roosters and Alice Gregory made her debut on the wing for St. George Illawarra.
• Dragons centre Bobbi Law was ruled out in the 31st minute after leaving the field due to an injury problem, while midfielders Raecene McGregor and Tyla King also had to finish the game on the sidelines due to head injuries.
• Dragons winger Kimberley Hunt has now scored nine tries in her last eight games.

Gameplay

It’s hard to believe that Sam Bremner wasn’t even planning on playing in 2024 before she agreed to a last-minute request from the Roosters to step in after Corban Baxter was ruled out for the season. The experienced No. 1 powered her way through the line and then had the presence of mind to send her winger Jayme Fressard back inside just before halftime to score a crucial try.

What they said

Dragon

Roosters