Roosters on a Roll in NRL
This time last year the Sydney Roosters were an embarrassment to fans. As much as I loved Freddy Fittler as coach things were not going well with him at the helm.
Now twelve months later Brian Smith has come in and turned the team around and has given them a chance of challenging for a title. Perhaps saying they could go from wooden spooners to the premiership in one season is wishful thinking but after they crushed the Parramatta Eels who knows.
Last night two teams in good form met at Parramatta stadium. The Eels have seen Jarryd Hayne in fine form just like last season when he took them to the grand final. But that there is the problem. You can’t rely on just one player.
The Roosters could mix up the playmaking through the use of Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce and Braith Anasta. They allowed the Roosters to run riot over Parramatta and as a result they bagged their fifth straight win in the NRL this season. Until the recent run of form they could not manage back-to-back wins.
Parramatta had gone into the match with three straight wins but now are struggling to break into the top eight.
The Roosters took control of the match early as tries were scored by Mitchell Aubusson in the sixth minute, Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the 12th minute and Anthony Minichiello after 21 minutes. All tries were converted to make it 18-0.
The Eels fought back to give themselves a chance by the half with the score 24-12.
The Roosters kept the Eels scoreless in the second half and piled on the points to win the game 48-12.
Next week they play St George Illawarra in what will be a true test of their premiership credentials. A win could just see them headed for the minor premiership.
As I said to a friend at work when the Roosters were struggling last season, “There is always next season”, and that season is here.
In other NRL scores this weekend the Bulldogs defeated Souths 32-12 on Friday night. The Penrith Panthers also on Friday defeated North Queensland 24-16, and Wests Tigers defeated Cronulla Sharks 24-22.
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