Roosters utility Drew Hutchison believes that his side has the perfect platform to build their season on following their 54-26 thumping of the Dragons with a finals finish in sight.
The Tricolours travel to Newcastle this week to face the Knights and with their opponents desperately fighting to keep their season alive, Hutchison is aware of the danger that comes with the task.
Hutchison: "We'll Continue to Play Our Best Footy"
After their comprehensive victory, the 27-year-old cited the side's ability to break away from the closeness of the contest, highlighted by the go-forward from the engine room as the catalyst for victory.
Going up the M1 this Friday, it's exactly what the men from Bondi need to build on.
“It was 20-all and we could have made it one of those tough games where it’s back and forth," he said.
“But we rallied and played our best football when it mattered, and looking for this weekend we’re going to look to play our best and hopefully we can do that for the whole game.
“The guys we bring off the bench, Connor (Watson), Eggsy (Egan Butcher) and Lodgey (Matt Lodge), they were big and the impact they had especially in the middle - they tore them up and it was really good to see.
“Every weekend we go in wanting to win and expecting to win. It’s easy to say that we haven’t looked at the table – we’re aware of our position and every game is going to count.
Round 18 Highlights: Roosters vs Dragons
“So we’ve got to play every game and prepare like we would normally prepare. They’re a dangerous team across the park and they’ve got great forwards that are very experienced.
“That’s probably where the game is going to be won so as a team we’ve got to win that battle then worry about their danger men off the back of that.”
While the victory did mark the end of a four-match losing streak for Trent Robinson's men, it also saw the loss of Billy Smith and Sitili Tupouniua to long-term knee injuries, while enforcer Siosiua Taukeiaho was also sidelined.
Momirovski: "We Feel Comfortable Putting On Performances Like That"
But Hutchison says that, much like they did in season 2021, the Roosters must rise through adversity and prioritise their preparations ahead of this weekend.
“It was one of those games, it seems to happen to us a bit,” he said.
“A number of guys get injured and they seem to be significant injuries as well. It’s obviously sad and to see your teammates go down like that is pretty hard to take.
“But it’s one of those tines where we’ve got to play again this weekend. As sad as you want to be, we need to look forward and it’s an opportunity to take their spot and push forward for the rest of the year.
“We’ve been through it a few times. Although it is a shock to see your teammates go down, it’s one of those things as a Club we don’t panic and we know what we’ve got to do - that’s winning games, and the most important game is this Friday.
“It’s a cliché, but we’re going to take it one game at a time and we’ll prepare the best we can this weekend.”
In contrast, the side will also be looking to welcome back three key figures to the line up - halfback Luke Keary and front rowers Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Lindsay Collins.
Every weekend we go in wanting to win and expecting to win. It’s easy to say that we haven’t looked at the table – we’re aware of our position and every game is going to count.
Drew Hutchison Roosters Utility
According to Hutchison, the returning contingent will be as excited to be back on the field in the famous Red, White and Blue as their teammates - and Roosters Members - will be.
“We know the task we’ve got ahead of us and to have a player with that much experience and the quality that he brings to this team,” he said of Keary.
“It’s something we’re all excited about. I know he’s excited to get back and embrace the challenge that we have ahead of us.
“It’s like getting Luke Keary back, he (Waerea-Hargreaves) is one of the most experienced players in the competition and he’s been at this Club for such a long time.
“We know what he brings, and everyone’s excited to have him back and I bet you he’s even more excited to come back and play the rest of the year.”
