Replay: High-flying Roosters take out minor premiership in SG Ball (NSWRL Junior Reps )

The Sydney Roosters put the crown on their minor premiership with a 40 to 6 rout of rivals St George at Netsrata Jubilee Stadium. WATCH THE REPLAY.

The Sydney Roosters put the crown on their minor premiership with a 40 to 6 rout of rivals St George at Netsrata Jubilee Stadium.

Easts wingers Xavier Chatfield-Mooka and Aaron Dimovitch both scored first-half tries with five-eighth Ethan Strange scoring a double in between.

Dragons utility Tyree Bowman gave the hosts some hope by scoring just before halftime to make it 18 to 6.

WATCH THE REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Roosters trounced the Dragons by 40 to 6. Picture: Damian Shaw

That hope, however, was short lived as the Tricolours ran riot in the second period.

Strange landed his third in the 50th minute, before Jye Boyle barged over five minutes later.

Touted dummy half Tyler Moriarty finished off the victory with back-to-back tries including a cracking breakaway effort.

Roosters coach Mark Russell said his side set up to play as if it was a post-season match ahead of a week off in the first round of the finals.

“It was a hard game to come and play because St George are a very physical and tough football side,” he said.

“We came here and matched their physicality. We wanted to set a standard for semi finals football and I think we did that.

“The whole club has been really good. We’ve got all three grades getting the week off this week so we will go away and put something together on the drawing board and come together and make sure we are all ready to go.”

The Dragons finish the season in 14th spot, only ahead of the bottom-placed Victoria Thunderbolts.

High-flying Roosters take on Dragons in final round of SG Ball Cup

Roosters rising star Tyler Moriarty is an example of the Tricolours’ Central Coast pathway bearing fruits with the Terrigal Sharks junior tearing it up in the SG Ball Cup.

The Roosters head into the final round of season in the enviable position of already knowing they will get a rest in the first week of the finals.

The table-topping Chooks, with Moriarty in the no.9, will take on St George at 3.30pm on Saturday at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah with the match live streamed exclusively on The Daily Telegraph website.

Moriarty, 19, came into the Roosters program as an under-15s rep with Central Coast before transferring to the Sydney Roosters last year where he helped the club reach the second week of the finals.

Earlier this year, Moriarty moved into a Kingsford unit owned by the Roosters where he lives alongside some of the club’s other out-of-towners, including SG Ball teammates Xavier Va‘a and Josh Wong.

Moriarty said having the opportunity to move into Sydney’s eastern suburbs has helped him focus on improving his game and he said the club, including legendary chairman Nick Politis, have made him feel like a part of the family.

“Moving into Sydney has been really good,” he said.

“Nick Politis set it all up with Mitch Aubo [Aubusson] and Friendy [Jake Friend]. They really looked after us and they’re getting us around HQ and getting us used to Roosters culture.

Hooker Tyler Moriarty came through the Central Coast Roosters program.

“It was difficult on the Central Coast because we would catch the bus down to training, now I am training at HQ twice a week, doing weights with the NRL strength and conditioners and working with Friendy and Aubo.

“About two weeks ago Nick Politis and the board came through the units and had dinner with us. It was the first time having all the boys living with us and they really made us feel like a part of the club.”

Moriarty said he is trying to model his game on the legendary Cameron Smith and the rookie rake also told The Daily Telegraph how he’s constantly picking the brain of Roosters great Jake Friend.

“I have been able to come in and do things with Friendy each week,” Moriarty said.

“Each week we go through the game and he explains how he would have approached certain situations.

“He has also highlighted the importance of starting games strong because it sets you up for a complete performance.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis.

“I’ve looked up to Cam Smith for a long time. He could be the best player on the pitch and you wouldn’t even notice he was playing. He set everything up, he directed his team around and he always picked out the right pass option.”

Smith led the revolution which saw dummy halves become integral in a side’s kicking game and that is an area Moriarty said he has been investing time into.

“I am a run-it first kinda no.9,” he said.

“If there is an opportunity to jump out and run, I’ll pin my ears back and go for it.

“My kicking game is the one thing I have been practicing over the last few months. It’s important to look to get it down in the corner and set up a good kick chase to pin them down there.”

The Dragons go into the match with nothing to play for except a bit of pride after being walloped 76-0 against the Knights in round 8.

The Roosters, on the other hand, sit two points clear of Newcastle and Penrith, who square off in Maitland on Saturday, but Moriarty said his side will just be looking to put in a 70-minute performance, rather than worrying about claiming the minor premiership.

“As a team we are really defensively based,” he said.

“We would rather win 4-0 and have a complete game than 40-24 where we switch off in periods because against the stronger teams they will pick you apart in those moments.

“We’re building well week on week, playing a more complete game and understanding each other better.”

While the Roosters hooker will be one to keep an eye on, he has highlighted a few other up-and-coming Chooks for fans to look forward to seeing in action.

Tyler Moriarty believes teammate Salesi Foketi is one to watch. Pictures: Julian Andrews

“Centre Robert Toia is from Queensland and he is a year young,” Moriarty said.

“He is a freak and really strong up top. He has good feet, he is strong for us on defence and has a strong carry.

“Josh Wong and Xavier Va’a give us strength through the middle. They dominate the go forward and are strong in defence.

“Also Salesi Foketi who may be off the bench or start at lock. He is a year young, he is another strong defender, he gives us a lot of energy that we thrive off in defence. He also has good ball skills and back in New Zealand he played as a halfback.”