Roosters are still confident they have the roster to make finals
ROOSTERS centre Blake Ferguson says his team, now with all representative stars on deck, is ready to challenge Parramatta for the most unlikely finals run of 2016.
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ROOSTERS centre Blake Ferguson says his team, now with all representative stars on deck, is ready to challenge Parramatta for the most unlikely finals run of 2016.
While everyone has been doing the math on an Eels fairytale this week, the Roosters are quietly preparing to begin their own September surge which requires 10 wins from their remaining 15 matches.
Apart from being buoyed by the return of Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hagreaves, the Tricolours also boast a promising run over the coming month which, starting in Monday Night Football, goes Gold Coast, Canterbury, bye, then Wests Tigers.
Asked if the Roosters still considered themselves a finals hope, Ferguson said: “We do, and we’re working towards that.
“Obviously we’ve still got a long way to go but every week, if we keep winning, is a step towards the goal we have here in our team.
“We still have a lot of confidence.”
Roosters young gun Jackson Hastings agreed, adding: “We’re not arriving at training each day and saying to one other, ‘hey, can’t wait to play finals footy’.
“But this club is so successful, has such a rich history. Playing finals is almost expected.
“And as it stands now, we’re only two wins outside the eight. So we just need to go up to the Gold Coast Monday night and get the job done.”
Certainly the Roosters are no stranger to storming home.
Last year, after accruing only six points over the opening eight rounds, the boys from Bondi Junction still claimed the minor premiership. This year, however, they have only four points a week further on.
“But while it hasn’t been the ideal start, there’s still plenty of belief here,’’ captain Jake Friend said. “And now, having all the boys back and fit, it’s awesome.
“There is a real buzz around the joint.
“Just their presence of a guy like Pearcey in the training runs, on the field; it definitely makes a lot of difference for the boys.”
Earlier this week, The Daily Telegraph commissioned the TAB to provide a projected finish for the 2016 NRL regular season. It put the Roosters 11th on 24 points, two wins outside the eight.
Ironically, the bookies also have the Eels, who are set to be stripped of the dozen points already accrued, on 24 points after the regular season is done.
Yet despite having endured their worst start to a season since 1966, when the club failed to win a game, Roosters players insist the return of three key Test and Origin stars has them primed for a similar run to the embattled Eels — who must win 12 of their next 15 matches to make the playoffs.
Originally published as Roosters are still confident they have the roster to make finals
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