Half-ton Rooster mauling

THE Sydney Roosters have sent an ominous warning to their NRL premiership rivals with a 58-6 demolition of Gold Coast in their first half-century since 1937 at the SCG.

Veteran winger Brett Morris recorded a hat-trick yesterday, while star duo James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell bagged try doubles.

Mitchell also kicked nine goals from 10 attempts for a 26-point haul.

The Roosters entered the clash minus Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and co-captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner, but it mattered little as the defending premiers moved to second spot.

Coach Trent Robinson said his team had begun to fire despite line-up disruptions in recent weeks.

“Two weeks ago, we had it,” Robinson said. “I thought to do what we did to Newcastle, who were in form [and] knocking on the top four, and what was it, 48-10? That was a good performance. And we’ve had guys in different positions while we’re trying to do that.

“If you looked at the team two weeks ago compared to today, it’s very different. We know how we want to play and the application to the task, but then also the freedom to play footy was there today.” ST GEORGE Illawarra has slumped to a piece of unwanted club history after a dour 12-4 loss to Parramatta.

Both sides were wasteful with the ball and failed to impress, but the Dragons were again under the pump after slumping to a 6-13 record for the year. It equalled the club’s record for l east wins in a season through 19 rounds set in 2013 and killed off whatever small hope they had of playing finals football.