Three stats to fix: Roosters

The Roosters are being tipped by many to challenge for the title in 2023 but after bowing out of the finals quickly last season, there's plenty of groundwork to do to get there.

NRL.com identifies three areas the Roosters can improve as they look to play finals football again this season. 

Discipline

The Roosters averaged third worst for most errors and most penalties conceded in 2022 in an area they must fix if they're to challenge for the title this season. 

Their average of 11 handling errors per game had them sitting just better than Cronulla and South Sydney, who both struggled with completion rates come last year's finals. 

Both disciplinary areas were raised again in the Pre-season Challenge loss to the Sea Eagles with Trent Robinson's side coming up with 16 errors and conceding eight penalties. 

Robinson said the team must "get back to basics" in the opening rounds of the 2023 season before they can build and expand their play.

Tightening up the middle channel

The Roosters conceded 14 tries through the centre of the field last year in a number that isn't many compared to teams that missed the finals but is a lot more than some of the teams that finished above them on the ladder.

Melbourne had their worst defensive season since 2014 but only three tries conceded came through the centre of the paddock while Parramatta (6), Cronulla (9), Penrith (11), South Sydney and North Queensland (12) were better. 

Coaches can identify reasons why edges are caught short or beaten on the outside but won't tolerate barge over carries with the Roosters sure to focusing on this in 2023.

Yardage with the boot

A final area the Tricolours have declined in recent years is total kick metres with their average dipping since the retirement of Cooper Cronk. 

The Roosters averaged just ahead of Souths with 475 kick metres on average per game, ranking them 15th for the season. 

While a team may not require long-kicks as much as other sides to get out of jail or make metres, it's an area the Roosters have ranked higher than other clubs during their dominance in 2018 and 2019.

Nevertheless, the likes of grand finalists Parramatta (566 metres) and premiers Penrith (541.6 metres) finishing in the top three last year indicates it's an area playmakers Luke Keary and Sam Walker can improve on.