Roosters miss their chances against a gallant New Zealand Warriors outfit

This match was certainly one that got away. The Roosters had several opportunities to finish off the Warriors on Sunday night, but blew it, 23-12.

This match was certainly one that got away.

The Roosters had several opportunities to finish off a gallant New Zealand Warriors on Sunday night, but in the end blew it, 23-12.

It was a massive wake-up call for the team and, while this loss is not the end of the world, it casts doubt on the team's ability to finish off matches.

The game was there for the taking but key players failed to deliver when needed.

The match started with the Warriors playing almost a perfect first 30 minutes. However, once the Roosters claimed the ball and stopped gifting the opposition penalties, Sonny Bill Williams single-handedly gave the Roosters a 12-10 half-time lead.

In the second half, the Roosters had more chances than Kevin Rudd to finish things off.

When things aren't going your way, they seem to go from bad to worse.

Then came the moment that will be discussed around the eastern suburbs for some time.

Roosters centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall bombed a certain try, which would have put the Roosters in the lead and possibly win the match.

That was when we should have got up and left.

The Warriors scored and sealed a the win by 11 points.

It was a disappointing given that a win would have entrenched the Roosters in third place on the NRL ladder, five points ahead of Manly.

The Roosters now take on the Bulldogs.

They are coming off five straight wins and will be out for revenge after they were annihilated 38-0 by the Roosters earlier in the year.

On paper this would have been one of the games of the season.

Last year's grand finalists against a team in the top four with high profile stars. But, yet again, both teams will be affected by the second State of Origin match.

We have the premier rugby league competition being diluted because the best players are away playing representative fixtures.

How is this fair to the Roosters to have both of their playmakers and strike centre missing for such an important game? Why is it fair for the Bulldogs to be missing their strike centre and in-form five-eighth?

There are a lot of issues which need addressing in our code. Surely this is high up on the agenda.

Easts to win.