The remarkable statistics driving the Roosters’ redemption story from the cellar to a top-two finish

IT’S the remarkable statistic driving the Roosters’ redemption story from the cellar to a top-two finish this season.

IT’S the remarkable statistic driving the Roosters’ redemption story from the cellar to a top two finish this season.

In a disastrous 2016 season, the Tricolours lost eight games by six points or less to claim 15th position.

Flash forward 12 months and the Roosters have won 10 matches by six points or less following their two-point win over Cronulla.

The turnaround has the Roosters placed in second position with one round remaining against the Gold Coast on Saturday.

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According to prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, the Roosters’ impressive form reversal is inspiring them to win this year’s premiership.

“I think for the boys that were there last year that is definitely motivation,” Waerea-Hargreaves told The Daily Telegraph.

“We still have last year in the back of our minds. Those are the tight games that you win and you make the top eight or you lose and you miss out.

“We are sitting OK now and it has been a good season, but there is a long way to go.”

If the Roosters beat the Titans on Saturday, they will finish in the top two and secure a home final in the first week of the finals.

Waerea-Hargreaves isn’t counting his chooks just yet. (Matt King/Getty Images)

Waerea-Hargreaves is happy with the Tricolours’ season to date, but says there is unfinished business heading into September.

“For us we know we haven’t even reached our pinnacle or our straps,” he said. “We are still looking for that performance and we are still motivated.

“We see how much work the coaching and support staff put into it and as players you want to give back to them.

“It was super disappointing last year, but coming in at the start of pre-season and seeing how hard the boys were working was so exciting.

“You understand every team works hard, but it just felt different. It was a really good place to be around and everyone looked forward to coming into training and working extremely hard.”

Thanks to endless hours in the gym and on the paddock, the Roosters are back at the top of the ladder.

Newcastle-bound utility Connor Watson says atmosphere at the club has lifted tenfold this season.

“It is a massively different feel to last year,” Watson said. “This time last year I was more worried about where I was going on a holiday.

“But this year has been really exciting and I feel like we are in a great spot heading into this weekend and the semi-finals.”

Watson credits the Roosters’ success to the coaching Trent Robinson, who he says should be mentioned as a coach of the year nominee.

“He definitely deserves to be in that discussion,” he said. “We’ve had a massive turnaround from where we were last year.

“Robbo is a great coach and he won a premiership in his first year as a coach (2013) and he has done some great things. But the way he has turned this club around from how we were last year to this year is amazing.”