United we stand a chance to play finals, divided we fall into oblivion.
It’s a Roosters spin on a favourite phrase of politicians and philosophers, and 17 rounds into the 2003 NRL season it’s the motivation for a late-season charge to a seventh straight finals series.
Sitting 12th with a 7-8 record, the Roosters find themselves in an almost identical position to last year when they were 10th with a 7-9 record after 17 rounds.
The Roosters then embarked on an eight-game winning streak between Round 18-25 to finish in sixth place, before bowing out at the hands the Rabbitohs in a spiteful elimination final.
Heading into Sunday’s clash with old rivals Manly side at 4 Pines Park, the Roosters know they are fast running out of chances to find their best form and kick-start a top-eight charge.
“We’re realists so we understand where we are at, important game for us, we really want to get the win going into the bye,” five-eighth Luke Keary said on Tuesday.
“We were in a similar position last year with a similar group but we stuck at it and we turned it around at the back end of the year.
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“I believe in these players, I believe in the coaching staff… there’s not one part of me that doesn’t believe that we’ll start to turn this ship around.
“We’re united as a group, we’re strong and we’ll get through this.”
Working against the Roosters in their bid to climb the ladder is a crowded casualty ward that now includes Angus Crichton and Sitili Tupouniua after last weekend, the two star forwards joining the likes of Brandon Smith and Sam Walker on the sidelines.
Far from using the injury list as an excuse, Keary says it doesn’t even get mentioned at Roosters HQ, with belief still strong that they can be a force come September.
“Every team has their own injury problems, we are no different,” Keary said.
“Every team has to deal with it at some stage during the season and we’re going through it now, we’ll be fine.
“I believe in these players, I believe in the coaching staff, and there’s not one part of me that doesn’t believe that we’ll start to turn this ship around and play the footy that we know how to play.
“You just go back and keep working harder and try to shift the energy a bit.”
Energy is a trait that Kiwi Smith and livewire playmaker Walker are renowned for bringing to the table and Keary hopes their return can provide a spark.
Smith has been sidelined since Round 12 with a thumb injury and Walker hasn’t been seen at NRL level since Round 7, first dropped to NSW Cup and then suffering a knee injury.
The winning moment: Keary
Both are line for a return in Round 20 when the Roosters host the Storm at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a match that could define their season.
“Hopefully Brandon and Sammy come back in and they’re refreshed and revitalised and give us a bit of energy,” Keary said.
“They are both really good attacking players so hopefully they can add something there for us.
“We can’t control that outcome but we can work really hard, we can stay together as a group, we can keep supporting each other, we can do all the right things on and off the field
“I have seen it a few times, you can turn this stuff around pretty quickly or if you do the wrong stuff it can go south pretty quickly too.”
United they stand, ready to start their charge at Brookie on Sunday.
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