The Roosters have roared back into semi final contention, scoring seven unanswered tries in the second half to run out convincing 40-10 winners over the Melbourne Storm.
Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase was the star for the visitors racing in four second half tries to put the competition on notice, after a dramatic fall from grace last weekend following their loss against Parramatta which looked to have extinguished their premiership chances.
While Melbourne were understrength, it was still a diabolical second half from a normally resolute and gritty Melbourne side. However given their position on the ladder, Craig Bellamy's men can move on as they remain second on the NRL ladder with one round to go.
Melbourne rested a number of stars heading into the game, however with coach Craig Bellamy coaching his 600th game there was still plenty to play for in front of their home fans.
It was indeed the home side who started the celebrations when Shawn Blore ran a strong line to score the first try of the night, following a great pass from Ryan Papenhuyzen.
The game continued to be a real arm wrestle between both forward packs, but the Rooster ill discipline continued to let Melbourne off the hook.
The home side then extended their lead when returning winger William Warbrick leapt high for a kick and batted the ball back for Grant Anderson to score and give the Storm a 10-0 lead at halftime.
The Roosters needed to score next to keep their season alive and they turned to a familiar combination in skipper James Tedesco and Mark Nawaqanitawase, with Nawaqanitawase managing to touch down in the corner with inches to play with. Sandon Smith converted from out wide and it was game on at 10-6 to the home side.
The Tricolours then had back-to-back tries, as Egan Butcher opened up the Storm defensive line to find Siua Wong in support to give the visitors the lead for the first time in the match.
The Roosters then piled on the points with three consecutive tries to Nawaqanitawase, who was well served by his inside men in James Tedesco and Robert Toia who provided some slick hands to give the former Wallaby a night to remember.
Both Toia and Tedesco were also rewarded with two late tries for themselves to give the Roosters an enormous win and simultaneously end the season of their rivals Manly Warringah who now need to turn around an enormous for and against to be any hope of finals this season.
In the final round of the season it is still must win for the Roosters who will face their bitter rivals South Sydney in a blockbuster at Allianz Stadium next Friday. All eyes will be on Melbourne on Thursday night as they play their rivals Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium with Craig Bellamy indicating that they will pick their best side pre-match.