There are signs the Sydney Roosters can win an NRL premiership, but coach Trent Robinson needs to see more defensive resilience to convince him they are genuine contenders.
The Tri-colours sit second on the ladder despite being beaten 36-18 by Manly on Sunday.
They’ll need to be at their best to challenge league leaders Melbourne in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash, a game which will be crucial in shaping the minor premiership.
“I’m seeing reasons why we’ll win the comp and I’m seeing reasons why we won’t at the moment. I’m really happy with where we’re at,” Robinson told Fox Sports’ NRL 360.
“(Sunday) wasn’t what we wanted but in some years you get a bit of a gut feeling about things you like.
“I’m seeing it repeatedly. I’m not seeing it in glimpses I’m seeing it a fair bit.”
The Roosters have had a dramatic turnaround this year after finishing 15th in 2016.
Robinson said last year was important in rebuilding the club, which he could see would improve sharply in 2017.
“The bits that I’m not seeing enough of is some defensive resilience at different times,” Robinson said.
“We need to get that before the end of the year.”
Robinson labelled the Roosters as weak in the aftermath of the loss to the Sea Eagles, a deliberate strategy to send a message to his players.
“You’ve got to be honest about your performance,” he said.
“It’s not that people needed to know that, we needed to know that.”
While the Roosters task against the Storm won’t be any easier after confirmation winger Daniel Tupou could be out for the season with a groin injury, they are likely to get back skipper Boyd Cordner (knee).
Forward Sio Siua Taukeiaho is also a chance to play after being cleared of having a broken finger.
The Fatman
Guest
Roosters to run rampant with a COCK-a-DOODLE-DO all over the rest of the NRL. Until they meet the FOX and his friends.
Albo
Guest
The Roosters will be much stronger this week , especially defensively , with the return of Friend and Cordner and the move of Aubusson to the centres. I still like the Chooks as the team with the best chance of upsetting the Storm on their day.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I can't believe the Roosters are 3.20 odds against the Storm. They've only lost Tupou to injury and will be itching to get back on the park after their flogging at the hands of Manly. Storm just had an energy sapping game up at North Qld so they'll be travel weary.
AGordon
Guest
The Roosters weren't beaten by Manly, they were flogged. In fairness, Manly probably played as well as they could but Easts could not score a point for more than 40 minutes while having 36 put on it? Their defence went from poor to brittle in the second half and when they needed him most, Mitchell Pearce went MIA - sound familiar. The Storm have a lock on the premiership if this is the best the second placed side can do in such an important game,
Oingo Boingo
Guest
I'm not convinced the Roosters can win the comp , they have the undesirable ability to lose or almost lose games from what would appear to be an unlosable position. This weekend will be a big indication of where they are at , if the Storm wipe the floor with them, like Manly did, I'll be convinced they won't be there on the 1st of October. If they give the Storm a touch up , I'll be buying tickets for the GF.