He might not have reproduced the last-minute heroics of last year's Anzac Day clash, but St George Illawarra halfback Mathew Head again made the plays that counted to sink the Sydney Roosters 22-12 at Aussie Stadium.

With intermittent rain making the ball and the surface slippery, Head's pin-point kicking game proved the difference in just his second top-grade match back from a knee injury.

In the corresponding clash last year Head was also the hero, setting up the match-winning try with an audacious kick ahead before nailing the conversion from the sideline to steal victory in the dying moments.

Dragons coach Nathan Brown said the return of Head after 10 months out took pressure off playmaker Trent Barrett.

"I think they complement each other really well," Brown said.

"(Head) was playing in a dinner suit out there today, he's far from being (fully) fit."

Brown reiterated his belief that Head is as important to the joint venture outfit as Andrew Johns is to Newcastle.

"To us he is because he is very clever, he puts the ball into the hands of the right people at the right time."

The classy No.7 deflected the praise onto his teammates despite playing the decisive role in the last two Anzac Day clashes.

"It was a good day last year but it means nothing to this year," he said.

"It didn't go too bad today but the most pleasing thing for the team is we won."

The Dragons looked sharp from the outset and clocked up 10 points in as many minutes by successfully targeting right winger Sam Perrett.

A late replacement for injured fullback Anthony Minichiello, Perrett had a diabolical first half, with Wes Naiqama the main beneficiary, scoring two tries through kicks behind the overwhelmed winger.

When they didn't score they often got repeat sets, with Roosters coach Ricky Stuart forced to swap him with centre Chris Flannery to get him out of the firing line.

"Brownie gave us a tip (Perrett) is a bit slow to turn (in returning kicks) ... when we got into that area we put the kick through," Head said.

The win may have come at a cost, however, with Kangaroos hopeful Jason Ryles sustaining a suspected broken right hand just 13 minutes into his comeback match.

It was the first game back for Ryles since breaking the same hand in round four.

While the Dragons seemed to always have the measure of the Roosters, the tri-colours never gave in, with Stuart labelling the performance of his understrength team as 'very courageous.

"I'm very proud of some of the footy they played," Stuart said.

"They were disappointed, the boys in the change rooms, it shows how confident they were of winning the match."

Naiqama limped off late with an ankle injury, but not before being placed on report for a high shot on Perrett in the 50th minute.

And in an incident likely to be scrutinised by the match review committee, Shaun Timmins caught Braith Anasta with a late high shot in the 22nd minute.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP