Roosters keep faith with youth

Sydney Roosters (100/1 Grand Final Winner with bet365) coach Brian Smith believes his young squad can repay the faith shown in them and still reach the NRL play-offs.

The Roosters find themselves 13th in the 16-team table but with the division so tight, they are just four points outside the top-eight.

After four straight defeats, the 42-28 win over Wests Tigers on Sunday was a massive result for the Sydney outfit and something they can build on.

The Roosters team that took to the field at the Leichhardt Oval had just three players older than 25, highlighting their philosophy of looking to youth.

Smith has belief in the young players but admits experienced duo Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichiello have helped them in a big way, especially against the seventh-placed Tigers.

The coach added: “For our younger blokes to be confident given we’ve lost four in a row I reckon that’s a real credit to them. As far as the end goal to make the playoffs…we need to get on our bikes.”

The Roosters will look to build on their impressive away win when they return to the Allianz Stadium next Sunday to take on Manly Sea Eagles (Monday Match Betting – Manly 8/15, Tie 20/1, Melbourne Storm 6/4).