Only way is up for NRLW’s Roosters: Isabelle Kelly
Jasper Bruce |
Isabelle Kelly says it’s hard to envisage her Sydney Roosters playing any worse against Canberra than they did in last week’s loss to Gold Coast.
The Roosters made 16 errors, at one point trailed by 26 points and lost Jayme Fressard to the sin-bin for sparking an all-in melee during a 26-6 hiding from the Titans last Sunday.
It marked the side’s equal second-biggest loss in NRLW history.
“I think everything that could go wrong basically did go wrong,” said captain Kelly.
“It was disappointing and I know that we’re really feeling that at the moment and we’re a little bit embarrassed with the product we put out.”
Traditionally one of the NRLW’s heavyweight sides, the Roosters now sit inside the top four on for-and-against only.
They cannot afford a repeat of last week’s performance with only a month remaining in the regular season.
Captain Kelly says at least the only way is up when the Roosters host the Raiders this Sunday.
“I honestly don’t think we could play as badly as what we did on the weekend,” she said.
“I think leading into this game against Canberra it’s a big focus internally on what went wrong and what we can build on.”
Kelly left the field for a head injury assessment early in last week’s game after being hit high by Taliah Fuimaono, who has since accepted a two-match ban.
The 27-year-old is expected to line up at Allianz Stadium, though the Roosters have lost Fressard to a two-game suspension of her own.
“I have a bit of a sore jaw, but I passed my HIA so I’m fine,” Kelly said.
Elsewhere, the high-flying Titans are hoping to break free of the logjam in the middle of the ladder and become the first team to defeat Cronulla this season.
“The Sharks are obviously undefeated,” said coach Karyn Murphy.
“But importantly for us, and I thought we did that well last week, we’re really refocusing on our side and what we can do well and being confident in that.
“The challenge now will be doing that for the remainder of the season.”
AAP