‘We can dominate the competition’: The one stat the Roosters must address if they want to win the comp

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has fired a warning shot to his rivals, declaring his side can win the premiership this year as long as they clean up one thing.

The Roosters have the talent to go all the way this season, but they must fix up their discipline to ensure they don’t lose players heading into the finals. Picture: Grant Trouville

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has declared his side can “dominate the competition” if they sort out their ill-discipline.

The Rooters have been penalised more than any other side this season, with a number of stars missing games through suspension.

No team has played a more attractive style of footy in 2024 than the Roosters who lead the league for points scored, but their discipline could come back to haunt them if they don’t address it, with the Tricolours conceding 7.3 penalties per game.

They’ve had to deal with lengthy suspensions to Spencer Leniu (eight games), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (four), Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (four) and Junior Pauga (four), with a top-two finish on the cards if they can sort out their discipline.

Dom Young was sent off and suspended for a high tackle against the Bulldogs earlier this year. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“If we can improve that – with where we’re already sitting – then I feel like we can dominate the competition,” Robinson said.

“That’s on us to take lessons out of that. We’ll play our style, but if we can improve our discipline (then we’ll be even better).

“There have been some lessons where that hasn’t been the case and we’ve been punished (with long bans for) ‘Su’ (Suaalii), Jared and different ones at different times.

“But in game, if we improve our discipline then we feel like we can continue to improve in this competition.”

There is good news with Suaalii set to return against the Storm on Saturday for the first time since he was sent off on his State of Origin debut for a high shot on Reece Walsh.

Robinson praised the physical work and mental adjustments that his rugby-bound centre had made.

“There are no guarantees (he won’t get it wrong again) but he’s gone through that process and he’s ready to go,” the premiership-winning coach said.

“He’s been involved in the camp, but it’s time for him to play again and it’s time for him to get the boots back on and get back out there for the Roosters.

“He’s trained really well, he’s been really confident and I think he handled it really well, but it’s time to play.”

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii finally returns after serving a lengthy ban for an ugly shot in the Origin opener. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

While Suaalii returns this weekend, the Roosters will be without their enforcer for the next month after Waerea-Hargreaves was slapped with a four-match ban following an unsuccessful night at the judiciary.

The veteran tried to have a high tackle charge downgraded but lost and had his three-game ban bumped up following an incident in his milestone match against the Dragons.

“We went there because we didn’t feel like it was a grade 2, but they didn’t agree so it went from that three weeks to four weeks,” Robinson said.

“I think it’s a long period for that, but we can’t hit guys in the head, so if we don’t hit guys in the head then we don’t get penalties and suspensions.

“You can have your thoughts, but the thing for us is that if we improve our discipline then we’ll win more games, so let’s do that.”