Two proud clubs will fight it out at the SCG on Thursday night in a bid to keep their top-eight hopes alive after rollercoaster 2023 campaigns.
The Roosters sit four points outside the top eight going into Round 23 and would need to win at least four of their final five matches to give themselves any hope of continuing their six-year finals streak.
Trent Robinson's side were well-beaten by the Broncos last start and will be up against a Sea Eagles outfit who got the job done in Daly Cherry-Evans' 300th NRL match to make it three wins in their last four games.
Both these sides only met a month ago with the match coming down to the wire for an 18-16 victory to the Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park.
Another repeat result would all but spell the end of the Roosters' finals hopes and the Sea Eagles would love nothing more than to be the team that piles on the pain for the Eastern Suburbs club.
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Team news
Roosters: A late switch an hour before kick-off with Drew Hutchison starting at halfback and Sandon Smith going to the bench. After failing a head injury assessment against the Broncos, forward Egan Butcher will miss the match. Youngster Siua Wong comes in for his fourth game of the season and first as a starter.
Sea Eagles: The Sea Eagles are 1-17 with no late changes. Ben Trbojevic (hamstring) is back on deck but Christian Tuipulotu (knee) is set to miss at least two weeks. Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega comes in on the wing for his fifth game of the season. Trbojevic's return sees Sean Keppie drop out of the squad. Prop Matt Lodge will play despite missing training this week due to illness.
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Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won six of their past nine games against the Sea Eagles.
- Daly Cherry-Evans has scored four tries in his last four games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters have won three of their past four games at the SCG.
- The Sea Eagles are aiming for home and away wins against the Roosters for the first time since 2017.
- Sea Eagles hooker Lachlan Croker will play his 100th game for the club.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored five tries in his past three games at the SCG
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Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.