Altona Roosters took their first step towards redemption with a convincing 30-10 win over Northern Thunder in the opening round of the Victorian Rugby League first grade on Saturday.
The Roosters had a frustratingly long off- season after missing out on last year’s finals and Roosters coach Brandon Taonoa and his players are hellbent on ensuring last season remains a rarity for the once-powerhouse team.
Picture gallery: Altona Roosters v Northern Thunder
“We want to try and do better this year,” he told Star Weekly. “I thought for our first hit out, we played well. There’s still a lot of work to do, but to get over the line was a good effort.”
The Roosters are young and inexperienced as the side embarked on a rebuild last season. It will be even younger this campaign, but it still has enough talent in the line-up to be considered a finals contender.
“We’ve got a lot of new players in the team this year,” Taonoa said.
“We’ve got a bit more youth, but we’ve still got the old boys around, leading these boys through the first grade.”
Justin Bernard was the star of the show for the Roosters in their 20-point win. The second rower was superb at both ends of the ground.
“His aggression when he runs the ball, it’s always at 110 per cent. His defence is outstanding and his talk is as well,” Taonoa said.
Roosters captain and elder statesman Caine Sinclair made a fine start at hooker. Sinclair is one of four Roosters in the Victorian state training squad, along with Aiden Hema, Lutero Leota and Michael Bernard.
Winger John Hale had a debut to remember, profiting from the forwards to score two tries.
The Roosters face Werribee Bears at Haines Drive Reserve on Saturday night at 7.30 for the Tyrel Hunt Memorial Shield. It is the second season since Hunt’s tragic death.
