Cordner: 'Awesome' to be on Rabbitohs collision course

Sydney Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner grinned at the prospect of his side facing arch rivals South Sydney in the opening week of the Telstra Premiership finals.

"Awesome," Cordner said.

"I think that's what the fans want to see and game wants to see. It will be a good opportunity to play them in the semis."

The Roosters enforcer was oozing with confidence following their last encounter in round 22 when the Tricolours put in their best defensive display of the year to prevail 18-14.

But since that clash, both clubs felt the weight of back-to-back losses and Trent Robinson's men need to overcome cellar dwellers Parramatta on Saturday night to cement their place in the top four.

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South Sydney's 41-point win over the Wests Tigers on Thursday has lifted the Bunnies into second spot with a 147 point differential – two shy of the Roosters, who have the clash with Parramatta to leapfrog the Bunnies and book a home final.

Any slip up against the Eels though could see them drop as low as fourth and a possible showdown with the Storm in Melbourne.

"Not worried about [our form], it's obviously not ideal to lose two in a row this time of the year but the teams we have played have played awesome footy and haven't given us much chance," Cordner said.

"They've (Canberra and Brisbane) completed high and limited our opportunities. That's going to happen from now leading into the finals so it's good to get that out of the way and know what to expect.

"We're confident in the playing group and structures we've got that we can turn it around."

Cordner expected NSW teammate Latrell Mitchell to return to form with Luke Keary back at five-eighth and the finals beckoning for both players to bring their big-game experience.

Meanwhile, Roosters halfback Cooper Cronk agreed the side's attack had failed to click in recent weeks, but was not worried about their overall form.

The Bondi outfit have been kept to eight and 12 points respectively in the past fortnight after averaging 34 points per game in the month prior.

"Only read into it if it doesn't turn around, it's as simple as that," Cronk said.

"I've been comfortable with where we are at as a club and every player is comfortable. But finals football is how you're playing and do you have confidence in your football under pressure.

"We certainly believe we haven't played to our strengths the last two weeks but we know it's there, we just have to unearth it.

"I suppose that's good for the NRL, crowds and everyone [that the competition is wide open]. Unfortunately for the teams playing, it means you need to be on your game from here on out."