The Dragons were solid last week against Roopena in a tight contest, and if form is any indication they should win.

Whilst they do have many exciting youngsters it is still their senior players that bind them together, which was evident last week in the second half.

The likes of Maitland, Manfield, Harlend, Sawford, Winders and Brad Smith are all seasoned campaigners.

Injuries to Smith, Winders and now Everett will be of a concern but the Dragons just keep on winning.

Nowak up forward supplies a focal point and has the ability to kick a bag, young ruckman Ben English is a mobile big man and will get better and better.

Rumour has it the Dragons will be adding another good player to their list in the not so distant future.

The Dragons have been excellent in rebounding from their back lines into the forward line with good link up and pace this is a real strength and testament to their overall team play.

Whilst coach Sawford is never a happy coach until the job is done, at this stage of the season he would be less grumpy than usual.

Last year’s premiers Central are now four zip down and it would be a brave man or woman to suggest this weekend they will not be five zip down.

They did lose by seven goals last week but there were some positives, they had 23 scoring shots on goal and in patches put some good football together.

They were without Stewart, Sims, Kite and Matt Stanton, not to mention the long-term injury to Collison.

In the past the Roosters could afford a slow start to the season because they had quality players starting late or coming in.

This season is different - only Collison to return from injury - there is no one else so what you see is more than likely what you get.

For the sake of repeating myself they still have many quality footballers and the nucleus of a good side, but unlike other years they will need all hands on deck to win games and this is not happening.

The consistent unavailability of quality footballers whether injured or working is hurting them.

But rest assured these two clubs go back a long way and are traditional rivals over many years and the sight of a green and gold jumper could be just the tonic for the Roosters to get their season back on track.