The Roosters have reinvented their playing style to combat the losses of Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Minichiello in a move which has them primed to launch a premiership assault.

Despite soaring to back-to-back minor premierships last year, the Roosters failed to find top gear before losing one game short of a second grand final appearance. Even though they sit in third position – six points behind likely minor premiers Brisbane – the Roosters are better placed to win the title than last year.

They have evolved their style of playing from 2013-14 and are utilising their outside backs. The inclusion and form of Blake Ferguson in recent weeks has given the Roosters an added dimension on their right edge, while Michael Jennings is still a major threat on the left side of the field.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson speaks of the "freedom" now instilled in his players. And statistics prove his team has responded. Statistics provided by Prozone show the Roosters are shifting the ball 50 per cent more times than last season and their support play is up 150 per cent from 2014.

"There's been some changes in the competition this year and the way that the game is played and there has been some teams that adapted a little early," Robinson said. "We took a few weeks to adapt. We are heading in the right direction in the way the game is played and refereed. We are hoping to play a bit more to our strengths this year. We tried to play 2013 footy in '14 and now there is a bit more freedom in us."

While Williams and Minichiello were a natural blow, the addition of Ferguson and the emergence of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck have added an extra dimension to the side. The injection of Tuivasa-Sheck has helped lift the Roosters' evasion runs by 10 per game.

The Roosters have also shifted the ball more than in recent seasons. In 2013 they would head to Jennings' side of the field 97 times per game. It was 103 last year. That number has grown to 108 times this year.

On the other side of the field, where Ferguson and Shaun Kenny-Dowall are generally camped, they receive the ball 113 times, which rose from 103 in their premiership year and 108 last year.

Despite the ball movement, the Roosters have also improved their defence. Sports Data statistics show the Roosters have conceded 79 fewer points compared to their opening 19 rounds of last season.

While Williams was one of the best off-loaders in the game, the Roosters have also increased their second-phase play with 52 more off-loads this year.

On Friday night, they play a Wests Tigers team coached by former Roosters assistant Jason Taylor. While the Roosters are high flying, the Tigers are locked in a wooden spoon battle with Newcastle and the Titans.

"It's a credit to the Wests Tigers with the long-term view they've taken," Robinson said. "I don't know but reading from the outside it's been a tough situation with the injuries they've had and also the salary cap situation.

"The board and JT are taking a long-term view. They have a really young side and JT is a great coach. He knows how to coach footy. It's hard when supporters want immediate results and some teams have to build. That's the approach that the Tigers have to take to rebuild that club."