Sydney Roosters have shaken off the distraction of Shaun Kenny-Dowall’s arrest to score an emphatic 24-0 win over the Warriors on Sunday.
Kenny-Dowall was stood down for the match after he was arrested on Saturday and charged with a string of offences including the common assault and stalking of his former partner Jessica Peris.
Blake Ferguson overcame a knee cap injury to continue his rampaging form with a try and three line breaks as the Roosters blew the Warriors off the park in the first half in front of 16,301 at Allianz Stadium.
The Roosters maintained third spot on the NRL ladder as they notched their fifth straight victory while the Warriors dropped out of the top four and had their three-game winning streak brought to a halt.
Brendan Elliot, who replaced Kenny-Dowall on the right wing, had a few nervous moments under the high ball early but otherwise looked assured in his fourth top grade game.
The Warriors had their chances in the first half but their woeful ball control ultimately cost them as they completed just eight of 16 sets in the opening 40 minutes.
They got over the line early through Solomone Kata but Chad Townsend was ruled to have knocked it on and from there it was all the Roosters.
Aidan Guerra dived on a deft kick by hooker Jake Friend and four minutes later Ferguson steamrolled over Kata and Townsend close to the line.
The Roosters went into the break up 18-0 after Roger Tuivasa-Sheck outleapt Sam Tomkins, the man he will replace in the Warriors No.1 jersey next year.
The Roosters burst out of the sheds in the second half with Michael Jennings breaking the line and sending Maloney over within their second set.
Roosters front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves scored an important points victory over Warriors and New Zealand Test prop Ben Matulino, running for 103 metres, making 23 tackles and showing good aggression, as he battles to win back his Kiwi jumper.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Did it take three attempts? What about seven? What about thirteen? The Des Hasler era is up and running at the Gold Coast Titans…
The Titans won their first game of the season against the Warriors - and the home fans had more to be upset about than…
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looked to have scored. However, a tiny bobble in the previous play-the-ball proved costly.
Dylan Walker nearly got away with it too! A successful Titans Captain's Challenge put them in prime position to score late in the first…
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck earnt plenty of cheers from the home fans after this big shot on Gold Coast's Klese Haas in the first half.
Zac Lomax has added further to his Origin case with another strong performance in the Dragons' stunning 30-12 boilover win over the Warriors in…
