Sydney Roosters
League
High drama as Storm kick on
Michael Carayannis 9:52pm Could two innocuous incidents end James Maloney and Cooper Cronk's State of Origin dreams?
Sydney Roosters v Melbourne Storm
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Saturday 7.30pm (AEST)
Hat-trick challenge for Roosters almost there as Storm surge into view
Michael Carayannis The Roosters have one more challenge to overcome, it just happens to be a wounded Melbourne side, after identifying an intense three game period to test their premiership worth.
Sonny Bill fights in Benji, Cooper corner
BRAD WALTER Sonny Bill Williams has leapt to the defence of fellow Kiwi superstar Benji Marshall and out-of-favour Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper and predicted the pair would prove their critics wrong.
Friend turns foe: O'Donnell fires up at Tamou
STEVE MASCORD James Tamou said he was mystified by his running battle with former teammate Luke O'Donnell as Mitchell Pearce did for NSW's pre-Origin confidence what Greg Inglis did for Queensland the previous evening.
Roosters grind out win in Townsville
STEVE MASCORD It was an early test for Sydney Roosters and a pre-Origin exam for Mitchell Pearce. Despite stern opposition from Johnathan Thurston's North Queensland and unseasonable Townsville rain they both passed with honours.
North Queensland Cowboys v Sydney Roosters
1300Smiles Stadium, Townsville, Saturday 7.30pm (AEST)
Maloney not hanging Origin hopes on Thurston duel
ADRIAN PROSZENKO James Maloney isn't sure if this Saturday's duel with Johnathan Thurston is his final audition for the NSW five-eighth jersey.
Waerea-Hargreaves faces big ban
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' poor record at the NRL judiciary is set to count against him, with the Sydney Roosters enforcer facing up to seven weeks on the sidelines after being charged with a reckless high tackle.
Rugby League
Mate against mate as Waerea-Hargreaves shown the door
GLENN JACKSON Manly prop George Rose admitted he ''had a few words'' with his former teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after the Sydney Roosters forward became the first player to be sent off this season.
Tricolours show true colours to surge into calculations
GLENN JACKSON Let it now be official. Sydney Roosters have a serious scalp. Having won on Monday night against Manly under trying circumstances - at Brookvale Oval, and without a player for the final 11 minutes - the Roosters must be respected.
Roosters revelling in opportunity to show their premiership credentials
James Macsmith Sydney Roosters know what the critics are saying - that their path to the top four has been forged by beating up on the NRL's lesser lights - and that Monday's clash with Manly is a chance to silence those claims.
League
Symonds making the most of his chances at Sea Eagles
Michael Carayannis With his flaming red hair, Tom Symonds might struggle to keep a desired low profile around the eastern suburbs as he prepares to face his junior club for the first time on Monday night.
Outclassed Panthers find positives in defeat
DOMINIC BOSSI There wasn't much for Penrith to cheer about after their 24-point thumping by the Roosters, but coach Ivan Cleary did find some solace in the fact there won't be any new entrants to their casualty ward.
Video hits keep rolling for revived Jennings
GLENN JACKSON In video sessions at Sydney Roosters this year, players have asked Trent Robinson to rewind the tape so they could watch Michael Jennings run again. On Sunday, he showed that value to his new team, but also his old one Penrith, whose own supporters will not be rushing to watch video of his two-try performance any time soon.
Jennings leaves Cleary little to crow about after rout
GLENN JACKSON First, Sonny Bill Williams scored two tries against the Bulldogs; on Sunday, Michael Jennings decided to get in on the act, frustrating his former supporters by showing Penrith what they were missing in the Roosters' 30-6 win at Allianz Stadium.
Big Mose itching for crack at old mates
MICHAEL CHAMMAS Mose Masoe holds no grudges over being forced out of the Sydney Roosters and has even admitted he wasn't playing well enough to remain at the club.
League
Jennings in a good space to face his old mates
Michael Carayannis Michael Jennings had long dreamt about being a one-club man with Penrith – but now when you speak with the speedy centre you sense his split with the Panthers was perhaps a blessing in disguise.
Maloney has name pencilled in for Blues
GLENN JACKSON James Maloney might not have been able to cement a State of Origin jumper during last weekend's City-Country match, but his NSW selection is almost assured after another impressive display in front of a sell-out crowd at Allianz Stadium.
Roosters on song but Storm still No.1: Robinson
ADRIAN PROSZENKO Trent Robinson reckons his side is travelling better than he expected so early in his coaching tenure - but believes Melbourne have their match for now.
Roosters the biggest show in town as NRL turns on a day of theatre
ADRIAN PROSZENKO This is what happens when the NRL gets it right. The right venue for the right game. And what a game.
Rookie coach's true colours shine in red, white and blue
RICHARD HINDS Thoughtfully and expansively, Trent Robinson has been discussing football, and life, in a way that makes them seem one and the same. Without pretension, he blends an appreciation of French culture with a love of brutal defence. Thus, somehow, he makes truffles and tackles seem wholly compatible.
Dragons wary of focusing too much on SBW
Adam Pengilly HIS every move on and off the field has captured the rugby league public's imagination, but St George Illawarra players have denied they will focus their efforts on shackling Sonny Bill Williams in the Anzac Day blockbuster.
League
Williams races clock for Anzac Day clash
Michael Carayannis Provided Sonny Bill Williams awakes with little pain in his knee on Tuesday, he is expected to be fit for his first Anzac Day match for Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on Thursday.
League
Jennings cock-a-hoop with club change and subsequent form revival
Daniel Lane City Origin centre Michael Jennings credited the treatment he has enjoyed at Sydney Roosters - especially after last year's winter of discontent at Penrith - as a compelling motivation for him to perform.
Hard to keep up with Sonny 'n' share show
Michael Carayannis Not only has Sonny Bill Williams mesmerised the opposition since returning to the NRL, he has captivated his own teammates.
Maloney picks Pearce as reason for spark
GLENN JACKSON Sydney Roosters five-eighth James Maloney says his halfback Mitchell Pearce is making him look good. So the obvious question is whether he thinks his teammate can do similarly for NSW this year.
