Why Sydney Roosters have to show the ultimate mark of disrespect to old rivals South Sydney to keep their NRL premiership dream alive

Sharks great Paul Gallen believes the Sydney Roosters may have to sacrifice a game to the Rabbitohs this weekend to keep their NRL premiership hopes alive.

Injuries and suspension concerns threaten to derail the Tricolour’s charge towards their first premiership since 2019.

Brandon Smith and Sam Walker’s footy seasons are both over, in a brutal double blow to the Roosters.

Victor Radley also suffered a fractured shoulder in the club’s brutal loss to the Canberra Raiders while Nat Butcher has been placed into the NRL’s concussion protocols and will serve a mandatory 11-day stand-down period.

The team selection for this week’s clash against their old enemies could be crucial to determining where they finish up, with the Roosters able to finish second if the Titans upset the Panthers or as low as fourth if the Sharks beat Manly.

Gallen believes the Roosters cannot afford to roll the dice, though, and need to potentially sacrifice the big Sydney derby match to try and freshen up for finals. 

‘The Roosters simply can’t afford any more injuries or suspensions to key players,’ he wrote in a Nine column. 

‘And going up against the Bunnies has danger written all over it.

‘The two clubs hate each other and that feeling tends to spill onto the field pretty much every time they meet.

‘Do you think every time James Tedesco or Luke Keary gets the ball the Rabbitohs won’t try to belt the crap out of them?

‘And if one of those blokes did get injured before finals, you can pretty much kiss a Roosters premiership goodbye.’

NRL great Paul Gallen (pictured) believes the Roosters should rest 12 or 13 players this week against old rivals Souths

Gallen believes the Roosters must do the unthinkable and rest a host of players for the clash with the Bunnies.

‘If possible, I’d honestly be resting their best 12 or 13 players this week,’ he said.

‘The club just have to suck it up and realise they might lose the game, but it will benefit them in the long run.

‘Then again, the way South Sydney is going you never know – a Roosters B-team could beat the Bunnies anyway.

‘If Robinson puts a bunch of young guys in there who understand the history between the two clubs, and if some Rabbitohs players are already thinking about Mad Monday or a holiday, the Tricolours may still come away with the win.

Gallen says a match against Bunnies has danger written all over it for the Tricolours

‘The Roosters can’t drop out of the top four now. The worst they can finish is fourth.

‘It will mean the difference between a trip to Melbourne or a trip to Penrith in week one of the finals.’

Sandon Smith is likely to be the man to wear the No.7 jersey.