Gosford Hit Out Draws Trials To A Close

The Sydney Roosters have drawn the curtain on their 2023 trials, with their second hit out ending with a 28-16 scoreline at Industree Group Stadium.

A second half resurgance lit up a balmy evening on the NSW Central Coast, with the Roosters showing spirit to bounce back from a slow start to the night.

The 10,744 fans got their first look at the likes of James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou - who donned the City Jersey for the first time in 2023 - as well as a number of new combinations with Sam Walker and Luke Keary absent on Game Day.

Joseph Suaalii also saw limited minutes after leaving the park early in his stint.

The trial saw the squad blow out plenty of cobwebs after a slow start in the first half set the tone for much of the contest.

A hat-trick to winger Reuben Garrick saw Manly kick ahead to a 20-0 lead at half time, with the Roosters failing to capitalise on a number of opportunities in the opposition red zone.

Ill discipline and errors plagued the performance, with the side failing to mount any kind of threat in attack despite enjoying decent field position.

The second stanza saw Coach Trent Robinson pull a number of his NRL regulars from the park, with a young Roosters outfit given plenty of game time to push their case for a place in the Round 1 line up.

The likes of Brandon Smith, Matt Lodge and Lindsay Collins eventually re-entered proceedings in the second half, which saw the Tricolours steady the ship and stem the flow of points.

The change in momentum was fruitful for the new-look side, with Nat Butcher charging over for a trademark four pointer with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Collins followed soon after in similar fashion, charging across from close range after neat lead up play from Smith out of dummy half.

Tuipulotu Katoa then raced away in the very next set after Drew Hutchison found space down a short side.

A late penalty goal was the only further trouble to the scorers, with attention now turning to a Round 1 clash with the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium in just over two weeks.

Roosters Members and supporters can now prepare themselves for the new season by securing their seats to every Allianz Stadium home game, with tickets available now on Ticketek.