Roosters ready to shift gears for NRL GF

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson is adamant his team have another gear to shift into for their NRL grand final against Melbourne.

The Roosters will meet the Storm in next Sunday’s title fight at ANZ Stadium after holding out South Sydney to one try in a tense 12-4 preliminary final win on Saturday night.

And Robinson insists the Storm – who are gunning to become the first team to go back-to-back in the NRL era – hold no fear for them next week.

“Teams don’t change too much at this time of the year,” Robinson said.

“You’ve had to have put it on the park all year, and that’s how you deliver. You deliver the style of play that you’ve worked on all year and I think we know what to expect from the Storm.”

However Robinson believes his team can find another level after committing 13 errors in a scrappy effort against the Rabbitohs.

He said the onus is on him to ensure it happens on the big stage.

“There’s a cog or two more to go for us. We haven’t stopped improving all year. And we’ve got a week left for improvement,’ he said.

“So a big part of this week will be allowing us to be proud of what we’re doing, but make sure we go another step for next week. I know we’ve got that left in us.”

Suspended pair Latrell Mitchell and Dylan Napa are certain to be inserted back into the team, with Paul Momorovski and Lindsay Collins likely to be the casualties.

Mitchell’s goalkicking will be a particularly welcome return after back-up pair Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Blake Ferguson missed four shots on goal between them.

Robinson said Napa, despite missing their past three matches for his controversial dangerous contact charge, is primed for his recall.

“He worked hard and looks fit. He looks strong. We’ve seen him in the gym a lot. Every time we walk in there he’s in the gym and working hard,” Robinson said.

“It was tough for him, but he was getting ready for next Sunday. It’s all he could do and he hasn’t stood by waiting and twiddling his thumbs. He’s worked hard and made the most of it.”

Robinson also believed co-captain Jake Friend will have no case to answer for from the match review committee after being penalised for a lifting tackle on Greg Inglis in the first half.

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