It’s sudden death time for Altona Roosters in Victorian Rugby League first grade.
The Roosters face the rare predicament of a finals-free season unless they can pull off upset victories in the remaining two games.
One of the most successful clubs in the VRL, the Roosters could be facing a winter without a semi-final appearance, starting the last two rounds as underdogs.
Altona faces defending premiers Sunbury Tigers on Saturday, followed by a meeting with the rapidly improving Doveton Steelers in the final round.
“We definitely have to win the next two games to make the four and hope other results go our way,” Roosters president Brandon Taonoa said.
“Sunbury will be a tough game and Doveton are finding form at the right time of the season. The boys know they’re must-win games.”
The Roosters went into last weekend in fourth spot on the ladder, only to tumble to sixth after a 52-20 drubbing from the Werribee Bears at Haines Drive Reserve on Saturday. It was one of the most disappointing performances of the year for the Roosters, who were collectively insecure with the ball, wild with their passes and lax defensively.
Taonoa left nothing to the imagination in his description of events.
“We got thrashed,” he said. “We made a lot of mistakes and they capitalised on them. It was just disappointing.”
The Roosters hope to be at full strength for their do-or-die date with Sunbury on the road at Langama Park. They had seven players missing the Werribee game for a variety of reasons and they should make a return.
On a positive note, youngsters Jamayne Taunoa-Brown and Ben Nakubuwai are taking good individual form into the game, while Keni Blair, returning from injury, is better for the run against the Bears.
