The Roosters are focussed on the daunting task facing them in the NRL Finals, with reports the team have employed a number of measures โ including an alcohol ban โ to ensure everyone is in the best shape they can be both physically and mentally.
Itโs a tactic that has paid dividends before under Trent Robinson, though the wider strategy will also monitor things like diet and time spent on social media.
But according to outgoing hooker Sam Verrills, itโs been going on since before the finals and may well be a vital factor in their current eight-game winning streak.
โItโs been going on for about a month now,โ Verrills told the Sydney Morning Herald.
โEveryone has different sacrifices, but itโs mainly getting off the drink and being more connected as a team.
โWeโre going out for lunches and dinners, being more connected as a playing group. Weโre a very tight crew here and this helps us get tighter. Now itโs finals time โ a new season.โ
Verrills was also quick to point to the influence of the infamous โcoach whispererโ Bradley Charles Stubbs, who has worked with the team in the past and was clearly making a difference again.
โHeโs done a lot for our club,โ Verrills said.
โHeโs a good character and we love having him here.โ
โHe speaks from the heart, heโs doing wonders with the club. Heโs putting his views across and weโve won every game since heโs been here.โ
With the end nearing on Verrillsโ time with the Bondi club before he departs for the Gold Coast, heโs determined to go out on the best note possible.
โIโve hopefully got four games left at the club and I want to make them all count.
โIโve had a memorable time at the Roosters and I want to go out a grand final winner.โ
