Talking Points | Round 17

JOSH MORRIS MOTIVATED FOR 300 AND BEYOND

Veteran centre Josh Morris celebrates a special milestone on Saturday night when he takes to the field for his 300th NRL match, a milestone that's been 14 years in the making. 

Morris made his NRL debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2007 and has enjoyed just about all the honours that the game has to offer over 299 games so far. 

“The last 50 games have probably been the most enjoyable, and I feel like I’m playing some of my best football as well," Morris said to the media earlier this week.

“I’m very excited to reach the milestone, it’s been fourteen years in the making.”

Josh has been in stellar form since joining the Sydney Roosters in Round 3 of the 2020 season, and adds yet another page to his rugby league career when he takes to the field for the 300th time against the Raiders. 

SBW IS BACK 

After weeks of speculation since returning to training with the Tricolours, Sonny Bill Williams was named in the Round 17 Team Announcement and has remained in the side since last night's Squad Update.

Sonny Bill officially joined the squad for training three weeks ago after spending two weeks in isolation. 

Now with some training and conditioning under his belt, he's ready to make his NRL return.

"It's been great to have him back in the group," Head Coach Trent Robinson said of Sonny Bill's return.

"It's exciting to get him out there and start playing, he's fitted seamlessly back into our group.

"He's a definite certainty, he's ready to go."

The last time that Sonny Bill Williams took to the field for the Sydney Roosters was against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 2014 Preliminary Final. 

This is his second stint with the Roosters after a successful two seasons in 2013 and 2014, which saw him win a Premiership and the Jack Gibson Medal with the Club. 

LUKE KEARY SET TO RE-IGNITE FLANAGAN PARTNERSHIP

After spending two matches on the sideline with a broken rib, Luke Keary is set to make his return to the line-up at five-eighth in Round 17. 

He will look to continue that chemistry with young halfback Kyle Flanagan, who he hasn't played alongside since Round 12. 

"We put him back in when he's ready to play and perform," Head Coach Trent Robinson said to the media. 

"I think the guys (Kyle Flanagan and Drew Hutchison) have done very well over the last couple of weeks, the way they've performed in that position. 

"Now it's up to Luke to get back in and play to his standard, which is very high."

A MOUTH-WATERING HEAD-TO-HEAD

It's no secret that the Roosters and Raiders have been involved in some classic encounters over the past two seasons, with all three of their 2019 battles coming down to the final possession to decide the victor. 

The last time we met the Raiders at GIO Stadium was in a bruising, but brilliant encounter on enemy soil that will be remembered well by Roosters fans. 

While every match is considered a completely different and new contest, that encounter will be fresh on the mind as we head back to Canberra on Saturday night in a match between the fourth and fifth placed teams on the NRL ladder. 

LUSSICK TAKES ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES

Now set to make his third NRL appearance in as many weeks, young hooker Freddy Lussick is set for his first career start as he continues to take advantage of his opportunities. 

Lussick played 10 minutes in his NRL debut against the Wests Tigers, which increased to a whopping 67 minutes in the Roosters big win over the Brisbane Broncos. 

Now named to make his first career start, there'll be keen and excited eyes from the Roosters community to see what Lussick can do against the Canberra Raiders.

He was officially named to start at hooker in yesterday's Squad Update.