The NRL Finals have arrived for Roosters Fans for the first time since 2010 and what a way to kick off their first series in three seasons than up against the games best side over that time, Manly.
The first-placed Roosters are coming off the back of a fantastic win over the Rabbitohs last Friday night and will be keen to secure themselves a week off with a win this Saturday when they face a Manly side who last weekend suffered a shock-loss to the Panthers to see them finish in fourth and not third place.
However there is no easy-feeling in the stomachs of the boys from Bondi as Manly welcome back some handy players in the form of NSW and Australian representatives Brett Stewart and Anthony Watmough, plus young-gun Jordge Taufua for the Qualifying Final.
Tricolours boss Trent Robinson has named an extended squad for the clash, following the returns of superstar winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the always-reliable Mitchell Aubusson and one of the games most experienced forwards Luke O'Donnell.
Tuivasa-Sheck's return on the wing sees Shaun Kenny-Dowall shift back to the centres and Aidan Guerra - who filled in in the role last Friday night - back to the bench.
Aubusson's return to the backrow, alongside Sonny Bill Williams and Frank-Paul Nuuausala sees young-gun Dylan Napa also return to the bench alongside Guerra.
Former NSW and Australian forward O'Donnell has also been named on the six man bench alongside Guerra, Napa, Daniel Mortimer, Isaac Liu and Marty Kennedy.
The two sides have met on three occasions already this year, with a trial pre-season in Gosford and two NRL clashes all going the way of the Roosters.
However finals footy poses its own threat and whats come before doesnt matter for much when the business end of the season rolls around.
The match kicks off at 7.00pm, following an Elimination Final between the Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys, at Allianz Stadium.
The first-placed Roosters are coming off the back of a fantastic win over the Rabbitohs last Friday night and will be keen to secure themselves a week off with a win this Saturday when they face a Manly side who last weekend suffered a shock-loss to the Panthers to see them finish in fourth and not third place.
However there is no easy-feeling in the stomachs of the boys from Bondi as Manly welcome back some handy players in the form of NSW and Australian representatives Brett Stewart and Anthony Watmough, plus young-gun Jordge Taufua for the Qualifying Final.
Tricolours boss Trent Robinson has named an extended squad for the clash, following the returns of superstar winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the always-reliable Mitchell Aubusson and one of the games most experienced forwards Luke O'Donnell.
Tuivasa-Sheck's return on the wing sees Shaun Kenny-Dowall shift back to the centres and Aidan Guerra - who filled in in the role last Friday night - back to the bench.
Aubusson's return to the backrow, alongside Sonny Bill Williams and Frank-Paul Nuuausala sees young-gun Dylan Napa also return to the bench alongside Guerra.
Former NSW and Australian forward O'Donnell has also been named on the six man bench alongside Guerra, Napa, Daniel Mortimer, Isaac Liu and Marty Kennedy.
The two sides have met on three occasions already this year, with a trial pre-season in Gosford and two NRL clashes all going the way of the Roosters.
However finals footy poses its own threat and whats come before doesnt matter for much when the business end of the season rolls around.
The match kicks off at 7.00pm, following an Elimination Final between the Cronulla Sharks and North Queensland Cowboys, at Allianz Stadium.
