After a slow start to their NRL premiership defence the Sydney Roosters are peaking at exactly the right time, according to coach Trent Robinson.
The Roosters host fifth-placed Melbourne on Saturday in a mouth-watering encounter at Allianz Stadium.
Victory for Robinson’s men could potentially move them to top spot on the ladder above bitter rivals South Sydney who they host in the final round of the season next Thursday.
The Roosters have struggled all year to find form and consistency but four wins in as many games has catapulted them, almost unnoticed, towards the top end of the table just two weeks before the start of the finals.
Last week they reminded the rest of the competition of their talent with a 44-6 hammering of the Warriors in Auckland and Robinson said his players cannot wait to face a Melbourne side who brushed aside high-flying Penrith on Monday.
“We’ve gone back to basics with some solid footy and then have opened up in the last couple of weeks,” Robinson said.
“We knew it would be a tough back end of year with the draw. And it was a good job in New Zealand but now it’s the real test against Melbourne.”
Manly, Souths and Penrith have led the way at the top of the ladder for most of the year but have all been off the pace in recent weeks heading towards the business end of the season.
Robinson said the knowledge accrued from last year’s success had been invaluable to him and his players and three tough tests to end the season was the perfect preparation for the finals.
“It’s really good to have big games at the back end of the year to get some fine tuning in,” Robinson said.
“If you are a fair way ahead it’s good to manage the squad and rest some guys but from where we were at we needed to play some top-end footy.
“It was good to run into New Zealand over there and now good to face Melbourne.
“Physically the players are in a good shape and now they are primed and pretty excited about what lies ahead and ready to go.”
Melbourne have also struggled at times this year but on Monday were back to their imposing best against a Penrith side who have been very strong in their own backyard.
“They were outstanding in the way they put the game together and the way they finished it off,” Robinson said.
“They have impressive plays and structures and their big men are doing a good job.
“The boys are very excited about playing them.”
doubledutch
Roar Pro
great great game, one of the best of the season.
Scrubbit
Guest
Am I the only one who imagined hulk hogan asking cam smith what his gonna do when his 24 inch pythons run wild on him.
The truth
Guest
Wonder if they'll get more than 7000 there tonight? Probably not
Eden
Guest
I would be so happy if the chooks came through and won the minor premiership while souths and manly are too busy checking each other! Then go through to beat souths in the prelims and the gf against a non Sydney team
jamesb
Guest
This game is going to be a cracker! I can't wait.
Manly Man
Guest
Depends who's reffing really. If its shayne hayne or ashley Klein then the Rorters will win, if its Maxwell, checcin, cummings, Shortall, perenara or the guy that looks like gallen then storm.
MAX
Guest
This is not referee bashing. Jared probably drew the Storm game against weak opposition hence the stats may look alarming at first sight. W D L Storm 20 0 7 Easts 8 1 14 Easts are too powerful and some players just reaching peak condition. I hope Roger T-S ( the next best thing in RL) gets some real opportunities
Renegade
Guest
I think this has the potential to be the game season or it will certainly be a season defining game anyway. It will provide a very good gauge of where this competition is heading as we reach the finals.
djcooper
Roar Guru
Why isn't this game on free to air? It should be an absolute cracker tonight with both teams in good form and still having a lot to play for.
Morfs
Guest
Should be a cracking game. I'm skipping the start of a mate's 30th to watch this. Storm by 4.
Storm Boy
Guest
We got this Storm.
Johnnyball
Guest
Best game of the round Come on Storm!
Vivalasvegan
Guest
Hope so but can't see Storm getting there... Roosters will be too strong tonight...
Elma Dudd
Guest
Grand Final preview .