- Roosters and Dragons squared off at Allianz Stadium
- Passion was clearly evident inside the first few minutes
NRL enforcers David Klemmer and Victor Radley are both famed for never taking a backward step on the footy field – and their energy was on full display on Anzac Day.
Klemmer, having secured a recently move to the St George Illawarra Dragons from the Wests Tigers, was fired up from the outset.
The veteran prop was involved in a confrontation with Radley inside the first five minutes at Allianz Stadium as tensions threatened to boil over.
So much so, the pair almost ended up in the crowd as they attempted to sort out their differences.
Once referee Todd Smith calmed down players from both sides, it was the Sandon Smith show.
The five-eighth was everywhere in the first stanza, scoring two tries, and later set up a four-pointer for James Tedesco as the hosts shot out to a 34-12 lead at the hour mark.
Meanwhile, Wests Tigers players have accepted Lachlan Galvin may be booed by his own home fans at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday when the young gun returns from a week in exile.
Galvin, 19, will play in the halves against Cronulla, having been dropped to reserve grade the day after the club announced he had declined to review their contract offer for 2027 and beyond.
NRL enforcers David Klemmer and Victor Radley are both famed for never taking a backward step on the footy field – and their energy was on full display on Anzac Day (pictured)
At one stage, tensions between the pair threatened to boil over and spill into the crowd (pictured)
Coach Benji Marshall consulted senior players as he made the decision to axe Galvin, with co-captain Api Koroisau publicly questioning whether Galvin subscribed to the Tigers’ ‘team-first’ mentality.
But after losing to wooden spoon favourites Parramatta in Galvin’s absence on Easter Monday, Marshall recalled the teenager.
Brent Naden insisted there was no tension at training since the Tigers reintegrated the teenager, who was subject to social media ridicule from teammates after knocking back the lucrative contract offer.
‘It is the same old, just laughing, joking around with him, asking about his school homework,’ the winger joked.
‘He’s always had my trust. He’s back in the team this week and we are looking forward to playing with him.’
Naden added Galvin will look to concentrate more on securing the Tigers’ fourth win from eight NRL games than the possibility of booing.
‘It is what it is,’ he said.
‘The crowd’s there to make an atmosphere, but I’m pretty sure Lachie’s main focus is to get the win and play some good football.’
