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The Roar

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TURNER: Roosters stumble but still on track for back-to-back titles

15th September, 2014
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Mitchell Pearce celebrates for the Roosters. (AAP Image/Action Photographics, Grant Trouville)
Expert
15th September, 2014
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Losing to a late Penrith field goal was a setback, but in my mind the Sydney Roosters are still the team to beat for the 2014 NRL title.

That unexpected loss to an incredibly resilient Panthers outfit will serve as the perfect wakeup call for the Roosters, who probably didn’t pay the opposition the respect it deserved.

After the full time siren, I watched the Roosters’ body language closely. The players were filthy on themselves and I’m sure their coach has already had plenty to say about a loss that really should have been a win.

They’ve got the Cowboys this Friday night and I am confident the ‘real’ Roosters will aim up in attack and defence.

We are likely to see Jake Friend return to the team and that’s a huge plus as he has been a standout performer all season. He will be assisted by Aidan Guerra, returning from suspension, and another key performer for the Bondi Junction boys.

There is a third bonus for the Roosters as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves was fortunate to beat a high tackle report from the Penrith game. Many thought he would be missing after his heavy hit on Brent Kite.

Statistically, there is not a lot of difference between the Roosters and Cowboys this year. They are ranked first and second in tries scored, and second and third in tries conceded.

The game looks tailor-made for a solo effort from Michael Jennings, maybe the ominously quiet Sonny Bill Williams or perhaps North Queensland’s little champion, Johnathan Thurston, will weave his magic on the big stage.

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I’m eagerly awaiting what could easily turn out to be the best game of the season, providing the Cowboys can ignore the demons that have tormented them at Allianz Stadium in recent seasons.

In the end I’m tipping the defending premiers to find their finals mojo and win by six.

The Bulldogs have charged past the Melbourne Storm to line up a finals meeting with the out-of-sorts Manly Sea Eagles. I tipped them to spring an upset and I am confident they can keep their momentum going.

I thought the Dogs’ effort to beat Melbourne in Melbourne was the best performance of any team on week one of the finals. Their forwards were magnificent in the opening 30 minutes and definitely laid the foundations.

In the end, Canterbury’s early dominance and ball control got them the win. They completed most of their sets in a stirring return to their top form.

Stylish young centre Tim Lafai had a fabulous game as did James Graham. What an amazing player! You don’t see props chasing down tearaway backs to save tries very often but James is making a habit of it.

I’d also like to slip in a huge wrap for the Bulldogs’ fullback Sam Perrett. He has been under enormous pressure ever since Ben Barba left for Brisbane but he has let nobody down. He rarely gets a mention in the media but has been very much a part of the Bulldogs’ season.

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Under strength Manly got hammered by Souths last Friday night but scored four late tries to make the scoreboard a little more respectable. You’ve got to wonder if the club’s perennial off-field dramas are finally taking a toll.

This was not a trademark Manly performance. There were some key people missing but too many of their big names looked lethargic for three quarters of the game, and the Rabbitohs had a picnic.

If they don’t improve markedly this Saturday their season could end with another ugly scoreline.

And finally, congratulations to my old club Penrith on their fabulous win over the Roosters.

Coach Ivan Cleary is doing a magnificent job and even if his men exit from the title race in their next outing, he has done enough to be crowned Dally M Coach of the Year.

It’s exciting to see their brilliant young players putting their stamp on the premiership along with some seasoned campaigners steered so cleverly by the undisputed buy of the season, Jamie Soward.

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