Round 9: Chooks fly into Brisbane to take on bucking Broncos
After one of the most dominant ANZAC Day victories in their history, the Roosters will be looking to reinforce that they are premiership contenders in 2024 when they take on a Broncos side that is finally healthy and back in form.
The 60-18 win over the Dragons was about as clinical as they come, with Sam Walker putting on a clinic in his first game back from concussion by scoring a try and picking up two try assists. Every member of the Roosters backs scored a try in the rout, while gallant efforts by Connor Watson and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves laid a platform through the middle.
The Broncos meanwhile picked up a third consecutive win, overcoming injuries and debilitating cramps to beat the Tigers 34-10. Reece Walsh has his standard performance of two tries and just under 200 metres, while Adam Reynolds and Payne Haas were back to their best after lengthy injury layoffs. And of course, who can forget the incredible five minute stint where Xavier Willison played fullback.
This match shapes up as a clash of unstoppable forces, with both sides boasting one of the highest powered attacks in the league. The Roosters point scoring feast over the Dragons has elevated them to an average of 27 points a game, the exact same mark as the Broncos. The two sides immovable objects are pretty good too - the Broncos conceding 19 points per game as opposed to the Roosters 18.
Boosting the Broncos is the timely return of Ezra Mam and Selwyn Cobbo, although Cobbo is still in some doubt as he nursed a shoulder issue. The Roosters have lost Michael Jennings with a nasty tricep injury, but it's a straight swap for the returning Daniel Tupou. More concerning is the possible absence of Victor Radley, who has been placed in the reserves.
Of course, much of the media attention will be surrounding the fallout from the Roosters' Round 1 win, regardless of the fact Spencer Leniu is still serving his suspension for the racist remarks directed towards Mam. But to focus solely on that one narrative will take away the so many great abilities of these teams and the players that make them. Good footy is good footy, and we don't need any creative writing lessons to prove that.
Last meeting: Round 1 2024 - Roosters 20 Broncos 10
Who to watch: One of the big advantages in the Roosters Round 1 win was that Brendan Piakura's concussion in the opening phases meant that Pat Carrigan was moved to an edge rather than playing lock. The Maroons star had 164 running metres that day, still an incredible effort, but in the 7 matches since has averaged 194 metres per game. With his running mate Payne Haas having a match back into his legs post-knee surgery, expect Carrigan to punish the Roosters middles both with his running and his passing.
Similarly, another reason Round 1 went the way it did was the relative anonymity of Ezra Mam who threw an intercept which led to a Joey Manu try, and couldn't trouble the scorekeepers of his own despite continually engaging the line. Since then he has come into form however, with 4 tries and just as many try assists in the 6 matches he's played since. Having missed last week with a hand injury, the Broncos will be hoping he goes straight back into the form he was showing.
The man of the match in the Roosters Round 1 win was by far James Tedesco, with the NSW and Australia captain running for over 200 metres, picking up a try assist and breaking 8 tackles. But he hasn't run for over 200 metres since that game and averaging just 4 and a half tackle breaks. The Roosters will need Tedesco back at his absolute best if they want victory in this one.
It's also going to be a big match for both of the Roosters half. Luke Keary announced on Monday that the 2024 season will be his last, and he will certainly be pushing himself to make every match special from here on out. Meanwhile Sam Walker is returning to the club he unceremoniously dumped as a 17 year old, and a matchup that has been a very happy one across his young career to date.
The favourite: The return of Mam and Cobbo, coupled with their tremendous form, has seen the Broncos made the favourites in this one.
My tip: The Roosters may have taken Round 1, but it feels like they're playing a vastly different Broncos side in this one. Broncos by 8
