A WORRYING trend has emerged for Altona Roosters in the opening three games of their Victorian Rugby League first grade premiership defence.
The Roosters have been slow out of the blocks and are chancing their arm playing from behind on the scoreboard.
Last year’s finals series was filled with stunning comebacks, and there were second half comebacks in their opening two matches this year.
But on Saturday the Roosters’ luck ran out. They paid for a lacklustre start with a 40-24 loss to the North West Wolves at AJ Davis Reserve in Niddrie.
Roosters second rower and newly appointed Victorian state captain Ben James can’t explain why his side waits until the second half to show up.
“The start of our games is an issue,” he told the Weekly. “It’s something that we have to sort out.” The Roosters won last year’s premiership from the bottom half of the finals.
This season appears to be panning out similarly with any number of teams showing early promise. “We beat Werribee two weeks ago; Werribee beat the Wolves and they beat us; so it’s a good, close, tight comp,’’ James said.
He senses the Roosters have a target on their back as defending champions.
Teams are hitting them hard and early in games.
“It’s not a secret we won last year, so teams definitely lift and they want to play well against last year’s premiers.”
The Roosters were never in the hunt against the Wolves, despite big performances from Aiden Hema, Max Strickland and Josh Hurinui.
The Roosters, 2-1 after three games, will host Casey in the next round at Loft Reserve.
