Roosters target first top-four scalp after improved run

Fresh off three straight wins after back-to-back losses against heavyweights Penrith and Melbourne, the Roosters are hoping for a first top-four scalp of the season when they take on the Eels on Thursday night.

Despite a horror injury toll, the Roosters have been one of the form sides of 2021. They sit just one win behind the fourth-placed Eels with a 12-6 record.

Aside from one shock loss to Brisbane, the rest of the club's losses have come against this year's top four with the Storm (twice), Panthers, Rabbitohs and Eels each getting the better of the Tricolours.

Their 0-5 record against their fellow heavyweights makes for sobering reading.

"Last time we played them at Bankwest [losing 31-18 in round nine] it was a really tough, physical game so we know the contest they're going to give us," Roosters forward Nat Butcher said.

"We've been happy with how we've been going these past couple of weeks, really starting to develop our footy and play our style but we haven't beaten a top-four team yet. That's something we're looking forward to on Thursday."

Utility Lachlan Lam also believed it was time the team nailed a big scalp as they head towards the business end of the season.

"I'm looking forward to that, that's something we're running after there," Lam said.

"Especially coming into the back end of the year, we want to take it to one of those sides there.

"The way we've been training and the steps we've been taking the last couple of weeks, I think we're definitely on the right path for that."

It will be a particularly big game for inspirational front-rower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who brings up his 250th game for the Roosters.

"It's one of the proudest milestones of my career," Waerea-Hargreaves said.

"I came here to this club as a 19-year-old not knowing what the future held for me and really proud and honoured to represent such a prestigious club.

"To be a leader of this club, a captain of this club, I'm really honoured and I can't thank the board, Nick [Politis] and Robbo [Trent Robinson] enough for believing in me. The least I can do is go out and honour them with a strong performance this weekend."

JWH was also proud of the way his team responded to adversity in their 28-8 win over the Knights in round 19, losing two outside backs in the first half with many players ending up filling in in unfamiliar positions.

"When you see guys get out there, for a guy like Nat to play in the middle then have to go out on the edge, [you] prepare all week to play in the middle then adversity hits on the run then you end up playing centre and you actually do a really good job of it and perform in that position, that's something that you can hold your head up high," he added.

"As a leader of the club you can look back and be really proud of these guys for sure."

Butcher said being adaptable was important for all players.

"It's something we speak about often in the pre-season, being adaptable," Butcher said.

"They're some of the greatest games we have in the year, games like on Friday against the Knights.

"Just being adaptable and doing your job for the team. I've fortunately played a lot of first grade in the back row now so I know my role, I know what to do and you just have to get on with it."