How the Roosters became the NRL’s masters of winning close matches

IF you’re a Roosters fan who’s been aged years by the team’s host of close wins this season, the players know exactly how you feel.

IF you’re a Roosters fan who’s been aged years by their seemingly endless run of close matches in 2017, rest assured that the Tricolours themselves know exactly what you’re going through.

The Roosters have won 12 games this season by six points or less and have won their last four matches by a combined total of 12 points and adding up all these tight finishes has them 80 minutes away from a grand final appearance.

Every fan knows the feeling of watching your team when the score is close and the minutes count down.

The palms get sweaty, knees weak and arms get heavy and there might not be vomit on your sweater already but there’s a churning in your guts all the same.

Mitchell Aubusson (left) and Boyd Cordner of the Roosters celebrate try and match winner by Latrell Mitchell during the NRL qualifying final between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Friday, September 8, 2017. (AAP Image/Craig Golding) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

But the worst part, the absolute worst part, is how powerless you feel. For all the yelling and the screaming and the lucky jersey you wore to the game there’s nothing you can do to impact the result but look on in horror as your team either surrenders a lead that seemed assured or transforms a crushing defeat into an exhilarating victory.

Aidan Guerra has only felt that feeling once in recent weeks, during the 20-16 win over the Titans in Round 26, but he didn’t like it one damn bit.

“I definitely enjoy playing in them rather than watching them,” Guerra said.

“I was on the sidelines for the Titans game and mate, I did not enjoy that at all. It was stressful.

“When you’re watching it you’re not out there hearing the chat, you’re not feeling the momentum. You’re powerless. You’re just sitting their watching.

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“At least when you’re out there you’re a part of the talk that’s going in the right direction or the momentum that’s changing and you can feel it all, you’re a part of it.

“Sitting on the sidelines and watching as a fan — it’s tough, I give them credit.”

Daniel Tupou knows how it feels as well — he missed three matches in a row after injuring his groin during the loss to Manly in Round 22.

During that period the Roosters lost 16-13 to Melbourne, beat the Tigers 22-18 and edged the Sharks 16-14.

“The boys like playing close games, but it’s scary for the fans,” Tupou said.

“I don’t know what it is. They just like those big clutch moments.

“For a fan it would be hard to watch — I know the frustrations, I’ve been watching on the sidelines for the last few weeks and it’s been close.”

The Roosters have made a habit of winning tight matches this season.

After their latest escape, the 24-22 thriller against Brisbane a fortnight ago that secured a week off and a home preliminary final, Roosters coach Trent Robinson focused on the importance of individual efforts in key moments.

Robinson believes that while 80 minutes of quality football has eluded the Roosters this season, these efforts — be they somebody diving on a loose ball under fire a set or Latrell Mitchell’s run to glory to beat the Broncos — make the difference when it really matters.

Guerra is certain the close wins have forged something between the Roosters players, something that makes them willing to make those efforts and defy the fear that comes with fatigue.

But the grizzled back-rower knows they must strive for their very best against the Cowboys this week — it requires a complete and resilient effort to take down the North Queenslanders.

“We’ve got quality players, but those tight games have really built something between us.

“Although that’s got us to where we are, we’ve got keep that mentality going forward against the Cowboys.

“We want to walk off that field against the Cowboys knowing that we’ve played our best footy.”