A Call for Change in the Anzac Day Fixture
League legend Mark Carroll has made a strong case for the National Rugby League (NRL) to replace St George Illawarra with the New Zealand Warriors in the Anzac Day fixture. His comments come after another one-sided contest between the Dragons and the Sydney Roosters, which saw the Tricolours win 62-16 at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Carroll, a former Manly player known for his toughness on the field, expressed his frustration with the current setup. He admitted he turned off the television during the game, as the Roosters dominated from start to finish. The result was yet another example of the Dragons’ struggles on Australia’s most significant day of remembrance.
The Roosters have been dominant in recent Anzac Day matches, winning the last three by a combined score of 168-52. In 2024, they won 60-18; in 2025, 46-18; and in the latest clash, 62-16. Over the past seven years, the Roosters have won six of the seven games played on April 25, with their only loss coming in 2022.
A Tradition in Question
Carroll argues that the Anzac Day match-up between the Dragons and the Roosters is not deeply rooted in rugby league tradition. The fixture only began in 2002, and he believes it is time for a change. He suggests that the NRL should consider replacing the Dragons with the Warriors, given that the “ANZAC” in the name stands for Australia and New Zealand.
In his weekly column for The Nightly, Spudd wrote: “It’s time we made a significant change to the day and pulled St George Illawarra’s invite following their humiliating loss to the Sydney Roosters. They simply don’t deserve to be there anymore. It’s embarrassing.”
He added that fans hoping for a competitive match would have been reaching for their remote controls well before the final whistle. “I know I did,” he said.
Fan Reactions and Club Turmoil
Dragons supporters are also growing frustrated with the club’s performance and its role in the Anzac Day fixture. Many believe the team no longer deserves to play on such a sacred day.
One fan wrote on a club forum: “I am for giving the privilege to other clubs for a while until we are capable of playing to the spirit of the occasion because lately we have made only mockery of the day, the club & jersey.”
Another fan commented: “Honestly I think the ANZAC Day game needs to be changed to a different opposition…3 years in a row and it’s been just absolute maulings. This used to be my most looked forward to game – now it’s the most dreaded.”
The Dragons have struggled this season, going winless in the first eight rounds. They will get a break in Round 9 and face the Knights in Round 10.
A New Direction?
Carroll’s call for change highlights the need for the NRL to rethink its approach to the Anzac Day fixtures. With the Dragons consistently underperforming, it may be time to give other teams the opportunity to honor the occasion in a more meaningful way.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the NRL will listen to the voices calling for a new direction in the storied tradition of Anzac Day rugby league.
