Sydney Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner has declared his side more inspired this year than in 2018 as they seek rare back-to-back NRL premierships.
It’s the question which has raged all year – how can coach Trent Robinson keep his side motivated after reaching the summit last year?
The Roosters have been the form team of the competition all year, and the premiership favourites for most of it.
However keeping the fire inside their bellies burning is easier said than done.
Not since the Allan Langer and Kevin Walter-led Brisbane in 1992-93 has a side gone back-to-back in a united competition.
During the 1980s it was a common occurrence with Canberra (89-90), Canterbury (84-85) and Parramatta (81-83) all lifting the trophy on consecutive grand final days.
But since then many have tried and failed – and it’s an opportunity the Roosters don’t want to let slip through their fingers.
“I think it’s easier this year with the motivation to be honest,” Cordner said.
“We’ve worked so hard all year to put ourselves in this position, so we’re here now and we want to make the most of it, we want to take every opportunity.
“The fire is definitely stronger than ever.”
Standing between the Roosters and a slice of history is Canberra, who haven’t tasted premiership success or been to a grand final since 1994.
Central to the Green Machine’s success this year has been their ability to strip the ball – in particular hooker Josh Hodgson who has become the game’s leading exponent of the art.
During their preliminary final win he came up with two game-changing plays in which he de-possessed the opposition – taking the ball from Ethan Lowe in the lead up to Jarrod Croker’s opening try before pulling off a try-saving steal on Cody Walker.
“It’s starting to be a trend now, possession is a big trend in games, it’s everything,” Cordner said.
“The Raiders are the best at it in the comp and we got done a couple of times on the weekend (in their preliminary final win over Melbourne).
“We’re going to have to be better in the grand final. It’s an awareness thing.”
