Allianz Stadium: A fuming Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley said it was a “s–t decision” to send him to the sin-bin for a third straight week after a tackle he described as nothing more than a head clash.
Radley and Sydney Roosters fans were relieved his latest ten-minute timeout did not cost them victory against St George Illawarra.
The Roosters triumphed 27-26 courtesy of a Luke Keary field-goal, but Radley was placed on report for a tackle on Michael Molo in the 65th minute.
Radley could not believe he had been penalised let alone placed on report.
“I was losing my mind there in the sheds [while in the sin bin],” Radley said after the game.
“It was a head clash. I don’t know who made that decision. It’s a shit decision.
Victor Radley is sent to the sin bin on Anzac Day.Credit: Getty
“We shouldn’t have been in that position, but we were. Keary nailed it in the end, and we hung on with some good defence.
“It was a head clash. For me to get 10 in the bin for that … I don’t know.”
Skipper James Tedesco was convinced Radley had been binned because of his reputation.
“If that was anyone else,” Tedesco said to referee Adam Gee, only for Gee to cut him off and say: “Don’t go down that path.”
Keary said the players were “shell-shocked” when Radley was sent to the bin.
“But the boys did well, Teddy got us all together, you could see everyone look at each other and [know] we just needed to get through the next 10 minutes, and we’d come out the other end,” Keary said.
The 40,191 fans who packed Allianz Stadium would have walked away proud of both teams.
The Dragons trailed 26-12 early in the second half before a few minutes of magic by Tyrell Sloan got them back to within four points.
And when Tautau Moga injured his shoulder scoring a hat-trick of tries, the Dragons were level and another epic was taking place.
Sloan was excellent when he skipped through some Roosters defenders to set up Tautau Moga’s second try, then a few minutes later scored his own when pushing up in support of Moses Suli.
He almost had another try, only to toe the ball a little too far in front of him and watch it roll dead.
Coach Anthony Griffin’s job has been on the line for some weeks, but how could you seriously sack him on that effort. The Bulldogs and Wests Tigers await the Dragons in the coming weeks.
The Roosters celebrate during their win over the Dragons.Credit: Getty
The Roosters lost their own representative veteran winger Daniel Tupou to a hamstring injury.
The home side looked in cruise control and sharp in attack.
They moved Joey Manu to five-eighth and dumped Sam Walker, but Phil Gould certainly supported the move and said during the Nine commentary: “It’s the best they have looked in attack all season.”
Manu was happy to roam both sides of the field and scored a try himself.
Angus Crichton made a successful return to the game after taking time to look after his mental health. He punched out 64 minutes on the right edge.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis talks to Victor Radley after the match.Credit: Getty
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves produced his best try assist when he threw a no-look pass to Radley to score in the first half. The giant prop had his hands on his knees to start the play, then caught the ball, looked Moses Mbye dead in the eye the whole time before passing to Radley who was able to split the defence.
There was a disappointing moment late in the game when a streaker stormed the pitch with his shirt off, stood in the middle before security arrived, but not before putting his arm around Zac Lomax.
Stream the NRL Premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
