Coach Trent Robinson believes the outside noise that has dogged the Sydney Roosters through a season of poor performances has become a boon that can spark a run up the NRL ladder.
The pre-season premiership favourites have endured a year in the headlines amid form concerns from star recruit Brandon Smith and captain James Tedesco, as well as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s impending move to rugby union.
A three-match losing streak threatened to thwart their premiership aspirations heading into the State of Origin period but the Tricolours managed to stop the rot with a tight win over Canterbury last week.
Reviewing the season ahead of Saturday's clash with Penrith, Robinson admitted the Roosters' start (6-6) had been "indifferent" but felt tides had started to turn.
"(At the) middle point of the year - as far as wins and losses - you'd want a few more. But as far as freshness, attitude, all of that we're on track," he said.
Robinson believed the Roosters had begun to weaponise their status as the league's most-discussed side.
"Opinions have been strong this year on how we’ve been going," Robinson said.
"But we’ve been pretty clear about what we want from ourselves and the extra noise has actually helped.
"There’s been so much that we’ve actually reduced the noise the more it’s come so we’re getting much clearer about the way that we’re playing.
"I've really liked just the rock-solid nature of the crew - digging in and training and really sort of backing the way that we want to play the game."
The clash with the Panthers comes just one month after the two-time defending premiers scored their most dominant win over the Roosters since 1967, leading Robinson to question his side’s effort and attitude.
The 48-4 loss left a trail of media scrutiny in its wake and its hard-learnt lessons will remain top of mind when they step onto the turf at Allianz Stadium.
"There were some honest truths after that game - as there should be - then the talking stopped and we had to put it into action," Robinson said.
"That’s what we’ve tried to do daily, just stack up on each other and get to the point where you’re getting proof (of improvement) out of your off-field and on-field behaviours.
"We’ve improved that and the only way to show that is to prove it tomorrow."
Buoyed by the return of veteran winger Daniel Tupou, the Roosters face a Penrith side without talisman Nathan Cleary, who went down with a hamstring injury last Sunday.
Robinson was stoic in the face of the weakened Panthers.
"Teams run a system of play with whoever comes in our out," he said.
"You’ve obviously got to have knowledge of players who come in to fill the position and understand their straits. But the system doesn’t change."
