If there is a blueprint for us to follow when it comes to a rival club, we could do a lot worse than emulate the Sydney Roosters.
Here is a heavyweight club that has lost a heap of key players, including their two captains and their chief playmaker, but still manage to find a way to perform and perform at a high level.
Just look at what they did to the Dragons on Anzac Day without Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend, Luke Keary, Siosiua Taukeiaho and for a big chunk of the game, James Tedesco.
We need to take a leaf out of their book, find some consistency and get off this frustrating roller-coaster we've been on for the first seven games of the season. That is the mindset of the group right now. I'm sick of it, the boys are sick of it and I'm sure our fans are sick of our inconsistencies as well.
The feeling out of the Penrith game was mixed for me. We hung in there well and the effort was there but the bottom line is we still got beaten by 18 points in the end. It has now got to the stage of the season where we have to find that little bit extra to get some wins on the board.
The next three or four weeks on the road after this Roosters clash are going to be pivotal to our season. The good thing is we are starting to get some troops back so we need to find some rhythm with our attack.
That's the part of our game that is not where it needs to be. Our emphasis and a lot of our energy has been focused on defence and our attack has suffered a little because of it but this week, we have been addressing that.
We recognise we need to mix it up, play a bit more footy and chance our arm and basically move the footy more. The Roosters are among the best wrestlers in the competition so a more conservative approach will probably just play into their hands. I'm confident the change will work for us.
As for their dangers, well, they have strike right across the park as they showed when they dominated the Dragons. Plenty has been said and written already about young halfback Sam Walker. I watch virtually every game every week so I've seen a fair bit of him. He's a very confident kid with a ton of ability.
The thing about him that stands out for me is he has no fear at all. He's not afraid to make an error. When he does, he just instantly forgets about it and keeps trying things, keeps coming at you and when you relax on him, he makes you pay.
He has a long passing game, a short passing game, he's light on his feet and he continually threatens. Like I said, a great talent. Like every other team that comes up against the Roosters, we'll be looking to play some footy at him and target him that way.
It's a huge game for us this one and whether Tedesco plays or doesn't play, they'll be a massive challenge for us. We'll be up for it, I'm sure.
