Three key Roosters primed to line up for the grand final
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Jake Friend is training every session this week, Mitch Aubusson remembers everything about the preliminary final win, and Luke Keary doesn't need a pain-killing injection for his ankle.
It is good news for the Sydney Roosters on all three injury fronts, as they ready themselves for the Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
Friend has played only five of 27 games for the Tricolours this year with a biceps tear, a forearm fracture and then a strained calf muscle.
He was "five minutes away" from facing the Storm last Saturday night at the SCG, according to coach Trent Robinson. And Friend said on Monday the leg felt a "100%" better right now.
"My priority is to do everything I can to complete all the training sessions this week," the two-time premiership-winning hooker said.
"Being so close last week, and plus the full week this week, is going to help me."
Aubusson was taken from the field in the 52nd minute for an HIA test after hitting the hip of Storm back-rower Kenny Bromwich, with the game in the balance at 8-6.
"I remember the game, there was no memory loss at all. I got a bit stung there and went off to do the tests. I'm glad the boys were able to complete the job," he told NRL.com.
Match: Roosters v Raiders
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Raiders
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Word got out that Aubusson had passed early tests in the SCG sheds.
"I was doing them well with the Roosters docs and thought I was pretty coherent. But then the [NRL] independent doctor came in and said I wasn't to go back on because of the way the contact had been once they reviewed the footage. So that ruled me out," he said.
"It took the decision out of everyone's hands. You can't really be angry at anyone about not being let back on because it's part of the rules.
"The last few nights I've slept well without too many side-effects … and I've had concussions in the past so I know what to look out for. I'm very confident I'll play."
As for Keary, he wasn't able to train leading up to the Storm match as the right ankle worried him.
"I just didn't get it right as much as I would have liked the week before the game. I was always going to play but didn't train," Keary said on Monday.
"But I've actually pulled up better than before the game, which is a win."
He won't be taking any pain-killing injections to play the Raiders.
"No needles – just strapped it up. I knew it was going to be sore but once I got playing I was fine.
"I should be fine to train the rest of the week."
Cordner backs Friend to play in the grand final
Seeing Keary hobbling around the SCG late in the preliminary final brought a few concerns to the Roosters fans, remembering the song-and-dance routine all week a year ago over Cooper Cronk's left shoulder – which eventually was revealed as a fractured shoulder blade.
"It's totally different to last year," Keary said.
"Cooper was not playing until the day before. I've got nothing wrong with me – just a little sprain.
"I just landed on it funny [late in the Storm game]. There's nothing wrong with it structurally ... so you know you're kind of fine."
Robinson explains where Friend is at
His ankle out of the way, Keary had time to compliment his opposite No.6 on Sunday, Jack Wighton.
"He's had an outstanding year. I love watching blokes change positions and stuff like that. He's done a really good job," Keary said of the former Raiders fullback moving up to five-eighth.
"He did a really good job for NSW at centre this year," Keary said.
"On Sunday he'll be playing over on the left so I won't see too much of him but he's a big part of the reason they are where they are."
Tickets for the NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final 2019 are now on sale to the general public.
Tickets are available through Ticketek and nrl.com/tickets.
