Roosters the biggest show in town as NRL turns on a day of theatre Roosters 34 Dragons 10 Sonny Bill Williams gets away a miracle pass to set up Minichiello's try. This is what happens when the NRL gets it right. The right venue for the right game. And what a game. In the short time he has been in the gig, Dave Smith has dealt with drugs dramas and stinging criticism, not all of it constructive. However, events like this one, his first Anzac Day clash at the helm, make it all worthwhile. Everyone played their part in this. A sell-out crowd of 40,752, the highest for the traditional fixture and the most the Roosters have attracted to Allianz Stadium. The Diggers, who enjoyed or were part of a moving pre-game ceremony. And two great rivals, even if one was outplayed. Martin Kennedy scores for the Roosters. "It was an incredibly moving day, a chance to honour those who have given their lives for this country, a chance to celebrate the way of life they fought to protect and a reminder of how much rugby league is about coming together as a community," Smith said. The day is a real tribute to the players, the clubs and the fans and the way they embrace the ANZAC spirit. Throughout it all, the really important message is that we must never forget the sacrifices of our military personnel. There was great theatre about all of this. Roosters forward Mitchell Aubusson was one of a quartet off-contract players shopped as a package deal to the Dragons. Having only just recommitted to his incumbent club, he carved up the one he rejected. Within the space of three minutes, he scored a try and then set up another. There were many other contributors. Three years ago Jake Friend was working in a sandwich shop. On Thursday he celebrated his 100th game, proof that you can go from scallywag to superstar. Ditto Michael Jennings, who scored two tries, showing a spark missing from his days at the Wolves or the Panthers. The Roosters defend tough and are even tougher to defend against. You focus on Sonny Bill Williams and then Boyd Cordner burns you. Man up on Jennings and then Daniel Tupou is away. Every one of the players from the Bondi Junction outfit is a line break or try just waiting to happen. What are you to do? It's a question the Dragons must have been asking themselves the many times they huddled behind their goalposts. When the Dragons scored first, they were the first team to have done so against the Chooks all year. It also raised hopes that another upset was on. They were soon snuffed out. The home side responded with six unanswered meat pies of their own. The visitors earned a consolation, but if one play summed up the day it was one just beforehand; Josh Morris streaks down field, steps the fullback and seems destined to score. Instead, his progress is halted by James Maloney, who came from the clouds. Nothing really went right for the joint-venture outfit. NSW hopeful Trent Merrin was put on report for a 65th-minute lifting tackle on Sam Moa. Dragons coach Steve Price survived his rookie season only for speculation to surface that he would be punted for a rookie coach. In the most difficult of circumstances, he has handled himself with dignity, but the ink had barely dried on his new contract and more questions are being asked. Earlier in the week, Dave Smith talked about rugby league winning the premiership. The Roosters have their eyes on one as well. 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.