Only way up for Roosters as coach takes heart from battling loss

While a 46-22 loss to Brothers in the opening round wasn’t the dream scenario, Curcio saw enough in what was their first true hitout to take positives into a secondround clash with fellow strugglers Southern Suburbs.

“I know it’s round 1 but it was more of a trial for us,” Curcio said.

“There’s a lot of boys who needed to get the run under their belt. But I took a lot out of positives out of the game.

“Our cohesion in attack with time; we’re still a work in progress.

“It wasn’t a write-off, but we need to work on a few things.”

Atherton was in the thick of the contest before halftime, trailing the defending premiers 16-10 with a tough, gritty – and typically Atherton – opening half-hour.

They were made to pay for a mistake and Brothers never looked back, but the only way is up for the Roosters.

Young players like flyers Thomas Cuda and Darcy Gillespie and prop Connor Griffin are joined by the experience of fullback Reece Munster, Brett Power and hooker Glenn Dumbrell.

Curcio is an experienced hand at five-eighth, and he will guide 2022 under-18s premiership winning captain Aiden Carson as he develops in the top grade.

And the inclusion of former Cowboys enforcer Scott Bolton will bring valuable experience from his 247 NRL game career which will help every member of the Roosters roster.

“He’s good mates with some guys at the club and he was good enough to accept out offer to play,” Curcio said.

“Like every footy player at that level, it’s the job day-in, day-out, so it’s hard not to get itchy feet.

“He was good for us, and will be great for the guys coming through.

“The experience will be huge … his chat is just so detailed.

“Even for me playing with him, the detail in what he does and says is just so valuable.”

Atherton is back at home this Sunday when the team hosts Suburbs, who faced similar player number issues during the pre-season.

It will be Suburbs’ first game of the 2023 campaign after a bye in the first round.

Elsewhere, Innisfail and Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks will be out to register their first wins of the season when they face off at Callendar Park, while Tully hosts leagueleading Mareeba Gladiators.