Minor premierships are nice to have but Roosters hooker Reece Robson said the focus at Bondi was well and truly on the bigger prize – the Provan-Summons Trophy.
The edge-of-your-seat 12-6 win over the Panthers, who had beaten them in 12 of their previous 13 matches, pushed the Roosters into top spot on the ladder with three games to play.
Those games against Wests Tigers, Dolphins and Rabbitohs are all on home turf at Allianz Stadium, although the Bunnies will be the 'home' team in Round 27.
With a minimum of travel, and eight consecutive wins in the bag, Trent Robinson’s team is in pole position to take their first minor premiership since 2018.
“Obviously it puts us in a good position for the finals,” Robson told NRL.com.
“It kind of does get overshadowed because no-one really looks back and remembers who won the minor premiership, so it would be nice to take it.
Daly Cherry-Evans Try
“But our focus is winning the grand final.
“So if we get that (minor premiership) along the way that’d be great but the bigger achievement we’re after is taking the premiership.”
The Roosters' scramble defence was a feature against the Panthers at CommBank Stadium and will be the cornerstone of their push for a 16th premiership.
The last two of those were the back-to-back victories of 2018-2019, when Robson was starting his NRL journey with the Dragons before six years with the Cowboys, then joining the Roosters this year.
The Roosters survive the early onslaught
For four straight sets early in the first half and another three early in the second, the Panthers pounded the Roosters line but could not find a way through.
Robson played his part in topping the tackle count with 55 – the fourth time this season he has made 50 or more.
“You definitely grow in confidence of the back of those efforts and the trust just builds within the group,” he said.
“You do so much work on it at training but to see it come together against one of the best teams in the comp that puts so much trust in the boys around you.”
Working alongside a half like Daly Cherry-Evans, who scored both Roosters tries on Thursday night, also helps.
“Mate, what he’s done in the game is unreal. He is such a great player and I’m learning heaps from playing with him,” Robson said.
“His focus and calmness amongst the group keeps us on the straight and narrow with his game management and kicking game.
“His brilliance off the back of that – like he did tonight – is pretty great.”
To the Victor go the spoils
Cherry-Evans has announced 2026 will be his last in the NRL, after making his debut at Manly in 2011, before he heads to Hull FC in Super League.
The emphasis from his Roosters teammates will be to send him off on a high.
And Robson said they needed to keep their attitude and application at optimum levels for the final three games, regardless of where opposition teams are sitting on the table.
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“A lot of our consistency this year has come off us not worrying about who we are versing, and the biggest example of that was Penrith,” Robson said.
“We know if we do the right things for us we can beat anyone. That’s been our focus all year.
“If we’re not on, teams will beat us so it’s about getting our footy on. If we do that we’ll be right.”
