The Sydney Roosters Jersey Flegg team are gearing up for their biggest game of the 2023 season and Captain Phoenix Steinwede believes his team has what it takes to obtain the Club’s fourth Under 21’s title.
For consecutive years the Tricolours have finished the regular season at the top of the competition ladder, but after falling short in the 2022 finals series, Steinwede and his team are determined to complete their “unfinished business”.
“We came into the finals last year with our tails up, then had a couple of losses and everyone was stressing,” he reflected.
“We’ve taken that past experience into this year, knowing that finals is a big learning curve because it’s an entirely different ball game.
“It takes a lot to be leading the competition, but if there’s anything that last year taught us it’s that everyone is hungrier and working so much harder once it gets to finals.”
The Central Coast junior says the Jersey Flegg title would mean so much to his team, serving as a reward for the hours of dedication and sacrifice the squad have put in throughout the season.
“We’ve definitely had a really good season and the stats show that, but we know how much hard work we have had to put in to get certain results,” Steinwede said.
“Our coaching staff have really been nailing it into us about what it takes to be on top of the competition and those losses this season were more or less a big reality check for us.
“We’ve had to knuckle down and work twice as hard.
"Looking back now they’ve probably been a blessing in disguise.”
Sunday’s decider marks the fourth encounter between Roosters and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs this season, with the latter claiming two victories.
Steinwede knows the Grand Final will be another challenging match, but says his team are embracing the Club’s never-say-die mentality.
“We’re really taking on that Roosters DNA and attitude, it’s important that we embrace all the challenges and work together as a team.
“We will be ready to put our best foot forward on Sunday.”
Purchase your tickets to Sunday’s Grand Final at CommBank Stadium here! If you can’t make it to Parramatta, be sure to tune into the live stream on NSWRL TV.
