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 match between the Dragons and the Sydney Roosters, which saw the Roosters win 62-16 at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Carroll, a former Manly player known for his toughness on the field, expressed his frustration during the game, turning off the television as the Roosters dominated the match. He highlighted the growing concern that the Anzac Day clash is losing its significance due to the Dragons’ lack of competitiveness.
Over the past few years, the Roosters have consistently outperformed the Dragons, winning the last three Anzac Day games by a combined score of 168-52. This includes victories of 60-18 in 2024, 46-18 in 2025, and the latest 62-16 defeat. The Roosters have won six of the last seven matches played between the two clubs on April 25, with their only loss occurring in 2022.
In his weekly column for The Nightly, Carroll criticized the current state of the Anzac Day fixture, arguing that the Dragons no longer deserve to be part of it. He 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 noted that the Dragons struggled significantly during the match, with fans likely reaching for their remotes before the game ended. Carroll also pointed out that the Anzac Day fixture between the two teams is not deeply rooted in rugby league tradition, having only started in 2002. He suggested that the NRL should consider alternative opposition for the Roosters to make the game more competitive.
Carroll proposed that the New Zealand Warriors could be a better fit for the Anzac Day fixture, given that the “ANZAC” in the name stands for New Zealand. He stated: “No club has a God-given right to participate year after year. Seeing as though the NZ in ANZAC stands for New Zealand, would it not make more sense to have the Warriors play (the Roosters)?”
Fan Reactions and Club Turmoil
Dragons fans have been vocal about their frustrations with the club’s performance, especially in relation to the Anzac Day fixture. Many believe that the team is not living up to the spirit of the occasion. One fan commented 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 added: “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, remaining winless in the first eight rounds of the season. They will receive a bye in Round 9 and will face the Knights in Round 10.
With the ongoing debate over the Anzac Day fixture and the Dragons’ performance, the NRL may need to reconsider its approach to ensure the tradition remains meaningful and competitive.
