The Roosters (2-4) enter Friday's annual fixture on the slide compared to the surging St George Illawarra (3-3).
Blasted away on the weekend in a 40-12 loss that clicked Penrith back into gear, hard-hitting Roosters forward Radley knows his team have work to do.
"Our defence hasn't been good enough," he said on Monday.
"It doesn't mean it's not great, just means we feel the last 20 minutes haven't been up to standard.
"We need to improve; we're moving in the right direction, believe in what we're doing and in our defence.
"It's just head down, go after it again and stick solid to what we're doing."
Radley didn't play in last year's 60-18 Anzac Day hiding of the Dragons but remembers it well.
"From the kick-off ... Jared (Waerea-Hargreaves) ran as hard as he could and it set the tone," he said.
"It's the best game on our calendar, for sure, the proudest day to be an Australian. The day means so much and to have the chance to play on this day, it's extra special.
"Nothing compared to what they did, but to play a tough brand of footy is our way of showing respect."
"It's going to be a tough brand of footy, no matter how either side is going."
The Dragons' 20-18 defeat of Manly on the weekend was their second consecutive win and partly offset the frustration of a duo of one-point losses earlier in the season.
Anzac Day first-timers Lachlan Ilias and Damien Cook have arrived from South Sydney well aware of the occasion.
"I've watched this my whole life. To finally play in one, it's pretty cool," Ilias said.
"New team this year, we're all pretty excited."
Cook began his NRL career at the Dragons in 2013.
"It's going to be a special one," Cook said.
"I've watched this game most years. It's a real honour to play in one.
"Every year is different, but it's irrelevant where anyone is sitting on the ladder."
13°C