From the coop: Roosters riding a soggy victory over Tigers into NRL clash with Melbourne Storm

IT seems like an eternity that you could confidently walk into work and face opposition supporters. But will our winning ways continue this weekend?

Jake Friend passes during Sydney Roosters training at Kippax Lake Oval, Moore Park. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Hip hip hooray. The Roosters won a game. It seems like an eternity that you could confidently walk into work on a Monday morning and face opposition supporters. It has been tough doing this of late, copping a barrage of sledging from supporters of teams above the Roosters on the ladder. And let’s face it, there are many.

What a game it was against the Wests Tigers. The match was played in monsoonal conditions, in what was one of the worst afternoons for football ever seen at Moore Park.

Full credit to both the players and the fans that braved these conditions. The queues for beer and pies were non-existent, and while the statistics will show one of the lowest NRL crowds on record, it will not tell you how bad it was at the ground.

It was ironic that the Roosters, who have the worst completion rate in the NRL, were almost faultless with their ball control. In fact they played as though there was no rain at all, with some slick ball movement and classy tries.

With the season hanging by a thread, it is now a huge clash against the Melbourne Storm at Allianz. The team from south of the border have taken all before them so far this season.

Blake Ferguson during Sydney Roosters training at Kippax Lake Oval, Moore Park. Picture: Gregg Porteous

They have posed many problems for the Roosters in recent times, with their spoiling and at times negative tactics frustrating the Chooks. They will try all sorts of grubby tactics to slow the Roosters down.

As always it will come down to the man with the whistle, and how much the Storm are allowed to get away with. If a fast game is promoted, the Roosters have a chance of causing an upset. If the Storm get their own way, as they do more often than not, it could be a long cold Saturday night.

The task has been made even more difficult with a long list of players unavailable either through injury or suspension. Star forward Boyd Cordner continues to have rotten luck and could be out for an extended period. The Roosters’ team doctors will not feel guilty when they receive their pay cheque each week. The casualty list at the club has been something we haven’t seen for a long time.

The Roosters need to overcome all of this adversity and keep their season alive. If they play like they did against the Tigers anything is possible.

Easts to win.