Sydney Roosters half Drew Hutchison has praised his teammates' competitiveness during the side's Round 2 win over the Wests Tigers, while front rower Lindsay Collins reiterated his confidence in the squad's depth after his classy performance on the weekend.
Facing the media on a wet Tuesday afternoon, both Hutchison and Collins cited the desire for the squad as a whole to continue their upward trajectory rather than rest on their laurels after the Tricolours' two impressive wins to start the season.
"There were plenty of good performances, we knew we were capable of a performance like that but it's just good to come to work. We'll be ready for next week," said Hutchison.
"The field was actually pretty good considering the rain they had during the week. The try (conceded) wasn't ideal, it was a pretty soft try that we let in and we'll be looking to sort that u, and the little things around that area."
"It's positive but there's a long way to go and a lot to work on," Collins added regarding the 40-6 win.
Everyone who puts on the jersey buys in.
Lindsay Collins Roosters Front Rower
"We're just focusing on that and what we need to do there, just little in-house things that we know. I won't divulge on that but if you're not thinking of things to work on in Round 2, there's something wrong there.
"It's good we've got stuff to work on, it builds us for the rest of the year on setting up our foundation.
Playing as a utility from the interchange bench as opposed to his preferred role in the halves, Hutchison reiterated his desire to play first-grade in any capacity and lauded the seamless transition from a number of younger players involved in Sunday's win. His front rower echoed his sentiments, highlighting the quality of depth in the squad.
"I suppose it's a part of being on this team - if you want to play first-grade you've got to be prepared to play anywhere," Hutchison said of his newfound role.
"It's all about putting your best foot forward, hopefully the coach puts you in and it's up to you to perform.
In The Sheds with Fletcher Baker
"Fletch (debutant Fletcher Baker) is a really good story. He's a good bloke and everyone was pleased for him to get a game, and then he got a try so it was good to see."
"It shows the depth we have in our Club," Collins said of the youngsters' performances.
"There are blokes like Daniel Suluka-Fifita who is going really well at the moment, we've got Fletch (Fletcher Baker) who didn't look out of place there either and it just shows the depth at our Club.
"Everyone who puts on the jersey buys in."
Collins produced what was one of the highlights of the match, bursting through the defence before looping an inside pass to debutant Fletcher Baker, who touched down under the posts much to the delight of his teammates.
Despite Collins seemingly destined for the tryline for a four-pointer of his own, the hulking prop admitted that he actually thought otherwise.
"I didn't think I could get there," Collins admitted.
Round 3 Media - Drew Hutchison
"I had the fullback in front of me, the ref in front of me and David Nofoaluma coming from the outside of me. I heard Fletch screaming and had a glance over and just threw it.
"I had a bit of a gasp when I did, but he caught it and scored. It was awesome for him, especially on debut and it was good to be a part of a memory that will probably have for the rest of his life.
With two try assists to his name for the match, throwing the last pass for Brett Morris' hat-trick, Collins says he still isn't quite ready to move into the halves just yet.
"Nah, we'll leave that to Kez (Luke Keary)," he laughed.
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