Roosters thump Dragons 34-10 in Anzac Day clash at Allianz Stadium Roosters maintain their momentum by beating Dragons on ANZAC Day. THEY were tipped pre-season to be NRL pretenders. By round three came mutterings the Sydney Roosters could push for a top-eight spot after tough early-season wins over New Zealand and Brisbane. After round six, the Roosters had whacked last year's runners-up Canterbury 38-0 and many suddenly felt them top-four contenders. Now, after a thumping 34-10 win over St George Illawarra, don't be fooled - this Roosters side can win the premiership. They have everything. Raw power, size, skilful back-row, creative halves and speed out wide. Yesterday was a six-tries-to-two Anzac Day mismatch. "It was awesome," said prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. MATCH CENTRE: Roosters v Dragons Michael Jennings scored a double for the Roosters. On Sydney radio yesterday, former NSW and Test centre Ryan Girdler said: "This is the most impressed I've been with a footy side all year, and I've been to a lot of games this year." The Roosters first half yesterday was footy at its best. Speed, toughness and mobility. Waerea-Hargreaves was bullocking upfront. Sonny Bill Williams had some nice touches while Michael Jennings was electric at times. James Maloney continues to be brilliant at his new club. He is powering head-first toward a NSW State of Origin jumper alongside Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce. Boyd Cordner was another stand-out. He is one tough kid. Steve Price says the Dragons are better than they showed on ANZAC Day. "They have quality all over the park," said Dragons skipper Ben Creagh. Their big boys rolled over us - that really hurt us. Creagh said the Roosters and Storm were the two best sides his team had confronted this year. It was a horrible day for Saints to announce a new deal for coach Steve Price. The Dragons had won three straight going into yesterday but couldn't match the Roosters in any facet. Asked if he was trying to play-down the growing hype, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said: "I know people are getting excited. I am not trying to pull it back but we want to be the best team we can be. We want to play better and we have to get better. Every NRL side would now fear playing the Roosters. "I didn't expect the atmosphere to be that crazy," said Williams. It was awesome to be part of it. Roosters during the Last Post. It was a brilliant opening 40 minutes from the Roosters, opening up a 22-4 half-time lead. St George Illawarra though produced the perfect start, a try in just the fifth minute. Halfback Nathan Fien bombed cross-field before a host of players from both sides leapt for the ball. Dragons centre Matt Cooper clearly touched the ball but it appeared to go backwards off his hands. Saints winger Jason Nightingale was on the spot, as always, to pounce on the ball and score. Departing five-eighth Jamie Soward missed the conversion but his side led 4-0. The Dragons were on an early roll but the Roosters composed themselves and, on the back of two successive penalties, went on the attack. Trent Robinson says Roosters handled shock of conceding early well. Moments later, Roosters back-rower Boyd Cordner sent Mitch Aubusson crashing over for a tough try. From a simple spot, five-eighth James Maloney, usually deadly accurate, sprayed the conversion. And just three minutes later, the Roosters were at it again. Maloney pushed a lovely ball to Aubusson who fired an equally impressive pass in traffic to a run-away centre Michael Jennings. Jennings showed amazing speed in the open. He came and went past Nightingale with ease. He is sizzling at full speed. James Maloney. Maloney converted this time for a 10-4 lead. Just three minutes later, the Roosters were over yet again. Sonny Bill Williams threw a truly magic pass on the inside to halfback Mitchell Pearce, who drew Nightingale before sending veteran fullback Anthony Minichiello surging over under the posts. GALLERY: Anzac Day double header It sent the massive crowd into raptures. Maloney converted and suddenly the Roosters had skipped away to a 16-4 lead. The home side hadn't finished yet. Big Marty Kennedy belted on to a ball at first receiver and pushed through some soft Dragons defence to score besides the posts. It was unacceptable defence from Saints. From close range, Maloney converted to give his side an 18-point lead at the break. The Roosters sealed their big win with a 51st minute try to winger Daniel Tupou off a bomb from Maloney. Jennings then went on to sexure a double. Panthers general manager Phil Gould must shudder each time the flying centre crosses. SYDNEY ROOSTERS 34 (M Jennings 2 M Aubusson M Kennedy A Minichiello D Tupou tries J Maloney 5 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 10 (M Cooper J Nightingale tries J Soward goal) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Shayne Hayne, Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 40,752.