LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Roosters possess the attacking skill to triumph against any opponent, yet representative hooker Connor Watson emphasizes the need for defensive consistency if they are to contend for a finals spot and ultimately a championship.
The renowned Bondi Wall has been pivotal to the club's achievements since Trent Robinson took the helm in 2013. Notably, the Roosters have allowed 500 points against them only once during this period, which occurred during the challenging 2016 season.
They have qualified for the finals each year except for 2016, but presently, the team sits in ninth place, having conceded a concerning 451 points- the seventh-highest in the NRL this season.
This includes a difficult stretch during which they allowed 119 points over four matches starting from round 18. However, they managed to stabilize their defense in last week's match against Manly, conceding only one try in tough weather conditions-the fewest points permitted in a game since round 9, 2023.
As the Roosters, currently in ninth, prepare to face the Dolphins-who are two points ahead with a significantly better point differential-this upcoming game in Brisbane feels akin to a finals clash in August.
"We'd obviously like to be entrenched in the eight and playing for the top four," Watson stated.
"But the reality is we need to keep winning to make the finals. For us with a young side, it's really exciting for everyone to have these important games coming up for us to show what we're really capable of."