Hall, Kelly run riot as Roosters overpower Dragons

Powerhouse forward Amber Hall and classy centre Isabelle Kelly had a field day at the Dragons' expense on Sunday afternoon as they helped the Roosters to a 28-6 victory at WIN Stadium. 

Hall, a two-time NRLW premiership winner and former Kiwi Ferns international, looked 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 with two tries and 11 tackle breaks to her name, while skipper Kelly – who shifted from the halves back to her more customary centre spot prior to kick-off as replacement for the injured Jessica Sergis – stood out with a busy outing that included a double of her own and 287 run metres. 

While the final scoreline told the story of a dominant Roosters performance, the opening half hour was anything but a walk in the park for John Strange's side.

The Dragons were first to score through Indigenous All Stars winger Kimberley Hunt, who went over out wide following a Raecence McGregor break. 

But after Hall's first on 22 minutes put the visitors in front, thanks to Jocelyn Kelleher's ensuing conversion, the Dragons fell apart badly in the shadows of half time to end up down 18-6 at the break. 

First a crisp left-side shift resulted in Kelly strolling over, before Sam Bremner broke the line and linked with winger Jayme Fressard who did the rest. 

Three minutes into the second period Hall was at it again from close range, this time taking multiple defenders with her as she powered over for her second and the Roosters' fourth try of the day. 

Facing an 18-point deficit with 15 to play, the Dragons' task then got a whole lot harder when McGregor left the field following a head knock. 

A try from prolific fullback Teagan Berry – her 17th in her past 15 games – gave the Dragons a sniff late on, but a wayward conversion from Tyla King left the gap at three scores, before Kelly put the result beyond doubt with her second minutes later. 

In a beaten side Berry was again outstanding, coming up with some big defensive plays and contributing three line breaks and 186 run metres with ball in hand, to go with her try. 

In addition to the defeat, the Dragons suffered three injury concerns, with McGregor joined by centre Bobbi Law and King in leaving the field for a head injury assessment.