A new-look Roosters side have impressed in their opening Pre-Season Challenge trial match, defeating the Melbourne Storm 32-24 in Geelong.
In an entertaining affair, both sides fielded young teams full of exciting talent and new recruits looking to push their case ahead of the new season.
That's not to say there wasn't some serious star power on the field.
The second forty minutes saw Roosters Members and supporters get their first look at Brandon Smith in his new colours, who impressed in his maiden outing.
Jumping out of dummy half just 13 minutes into his 28 minute stint, Smith provided a taste of what's to come by firing a cut-out ball to put Victor Radley over under the posts.
It was enough to wet the appetite of even the most pragmatic fans.
Brandon Smith makes an impact
However, it was the young guns who stole the show in the opening stanza.
The boys from Bondi controlled 58% of possession, completing at over 80% to take a firm grip of the game by the change of ends.
The Roosters were unlucky not to open the scoring, with Vuate Karawalevu having a try scrubbed out by the bunker early on.
Lebanon international crashes over
Instead it was Tyran Wishart racing away for the first try after Melbourne hooker Bronson Garlic punched a hole through the middle of the park.
Lebanon international Elie El-Zakham hit back for the Roosters to level the scores 12 minutes later, capping off an impressive opening twenty minutes from the new recruit.
The young Roosters outfit had the lead just moments later, with dynamic hooker Tyler Moriarty darting over after a late offload from Terrell May.
Elementary for Moriarty
Moriarty was one of plenty of young talents who impressed when given their chance in the opening stages, with the likes of Academy products Siua Wong and Xavier Va'a also pushing their credentials in the Red, White and Blue.
Melbourne were fortuitous to hit back after the Roosters failed to clean up a grubber kick in their own in goal, however the six point lead was restored when William Fakatoumafi pounced on a pinpoint Jake Turpin kick to score for the Tricolours.
Turpin all class as kick finds Fakatoumafi on the full
The second half saw the likes of Radley, Matt Lodge and Sam Walker enter the fray - alongside Brandon Smith - for their first taste of football this year.
The injection of established NRL talent changed the complexion of the game, with the Roosters taking total control of the contest.
Jaxson Paulo gets his first for the Tricolours
New recruit Jaxson Paulo got the scoring back underway, after Walker produced a trademark cut out pass to put the winger away for a tidy four pointer.
The game was firmly in the control of the visitors when Radley and Smith combined soon after.
Two counter-attacking Melbourne tries set up a grandstand finish, however the Roosters showed their class with some brilliant goal line defence in the closing stages.
An intercept try to Junior Pauga closed out the game, with the young centre racing 90 metres to score.
The Roosters will now move on to face Manly in next week's Double Header at Industree Group Stadium on the Central Coast, which doubles as the side's final hit out before the new season.
Roosters Members and supporters can secure their seat by clicking here.
