LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Sydney Roosters are facing a crucial phase in their NRL season, currently positioned eighth on the ladder.
Following a disappointing defeat against the Parramatta Eels, the Roosters are not ideally set to take on the Melbourne Storm in the upcoming week, yet that is the challenge ahead.
Compounding their difficulties, the Roosters will have to compete without one of their star players.
Sam Walker, who suffered a concussion during the match against the Eels, will miss the pivotal clash with the Storm. He is now subjected to the NRL's mandatory 11-day stand-down policy, excluding him from any games next week.
With Walker sidelined, NSW Blues utility Connor Watson was initially set to fill the gap in the halves alongside Hugo Savala, but Roosters coach Trent Robinson has determined this will not be the strategy against the Storm.
Instead, Robinson plans to introduce Sandon Smith into the halves, having brought him up from the NSW Cup to ensure he is match-ready.