Sitting third on the ladder with seven wins from their past nine matches, the best attacking record by some distance (30.71 points per game, with second being 27.5) and the third-best defence (17.47 points per game), the Sydney Roosters have staked their place among the premiership heavyweights for 2024.
However, of some concern for the Tricolours is the fact that all six of their losses have come against clubs currently in the top eight, while only one of their 11 victories (Round 16 versus Canterbury) have come against top eight sides.
Of more concern is their inability to close out tight games. They’ve had seven matches decided by single-digit margins, with only one win (Newcastle in Round 6).
Dominic Young of the Roosters celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
If they really want to prove themselves as premiership contenders, they must defeat the Storm in Melbourne.
Even in recent seasons, the Roosters have struggled to win matches against the top sides. They won only three matches against sides that reached the finals in 2023, five in 2022 and five in 2021, losing seven, six and seven matches against top-eight teams in each of those years respectively.
Their individual records against the top clubs, namely Penrith and Melbourne, since winning the 2019 premiership also leave a lot to be desired.
Since the beginning of the 2020 season, the Roosters have lost nine out of ten matches against the Storm and all nine against the Panthers.
While they’ve experienced a number of incredibly injury-ravaged seasons in that time, they’ve also been left chasing a finals position instead of being among the pace-setters. In 2024, they’re in a position where they have set themselves up in the regular season.
But if they can’t beat strong opposition now, their chances of doing so in September look slim.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson talks with Sam Walker. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
When compared to the two teams ahead of them on the ladder, Melbourne and Penrith, those two sides know how to beat top teams and grind out victories.
The Storm have won four of their six matches against current top-eight teams and have won ten games by 12 points or less. The Panthers have won five of eight matches against current top-eight teams and have seven victories by 12 points or less.
There is a reason why those two clubs have been the benchmark for the past five years, they know how to get the job done.
This is the Roosters greatest opportunity to prove that they belong in the premiership conversation. To be a top side, you have to beat the top sides. If you can beat the top sides, you can win a premiership.
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