The Roosters get their shot at redemption on Monday Night Football this week, as they prepare for a rematch against the top of the table Melbourne Storm. The Storm went home with the two competition points in Round 7 of this season as the game was decided by the boot of Cooper Cronk, who slotted a field goal ignoring a charging Tuivasa-Sheck.
Regardless of the result though, it was another classic match. The Roosters and Storm have a history of tight encounters. Last year for example, the Roosters mounted a comeback at home to win convincingly as part of their run to the Minor Premiership.
Now as they prepare to meet for their second meeting this year, there is no doubt that both teams will be expecting a tough battle. With the Roosters only just getting the better record against Melbourne at Allianz Stadium, there will be no room for slouching in this contest.
Key Match-Ups
HALFBACK: It is no secret that Mitchell Pearce has been playing great football this year. Coming off a blistering finish to the 2014 season, Pearce has picked up right where he left off in 2015, earning a State of Origin spot against the Maroons and Storm halfback Cooper Cronk. The Kangaroos playmaker is the man to beat, and what better time to shine against Cronk than now.
NUMBER 8: Jared and Jesse sounds like a sitcom on daytime telly, but in reality it is the intense forward battle we have to look forward to on Monday. Jesse Bromwich is having another great season for Melbourne, but he is up against big Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who shines and relishes this kind of physical battle. These big boppers no doubt give their team enormous go forward, it might even be what decides the games result.
The Verdict
It’s Round 12 of the Telstra Premiership and the Roosters are sitting on a 50% winning record, they are coming off a bye week and they’ve won their last two games, sitting 5th on the NRL ladder. There is no doubt that the boys will have their work cut out for them against the top of the table Melbourne Storm, but we know the Roosters will be up for the challenge. With nine players expected to back up from State of Origin duty on Wednesday, an all star match awaits with plenty of promise to be one of the games of the season.
