The healthiest roster is usually the one which hoists the premiership trophy. Which is why Mitchell Pearce's inclusion in the Roosters side has them again on track for the title.
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Pearce will return from a troublesome hamstring injury in the grand final qualifier against Brisbane, relegating utility Jackson Hastings to the bench. Hooker Matt McIlwrick, who played just six minutes in the win against the Bulldogs, drops out of the side. In all, the Roosters have used just 24 players throughout the year, the least of all clubs. That compares to the 29 used by the Broncos, their opponents at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. The other teams still standing, Melbourne and North Queensland, have used 27 and 28, respectively.
Hastings has laughed off suggestions he had done enough to keep Pearce out of the No.7 jersey, but the stats show the tri-colours have a better winning percentage with the rookie. When the 19-year-old is at halfback, they win 83.3 per cent of the time. When the Origin playmaker is in the position, that record drops to 70 per cent. However, there was never any suggestion of omitting the Roosters co-captain, who was close to a return against Canterbury.
Form and momentum are the key ingredients at this time of year and all the remaining sides have both factors on their side. But the Roosters have the advantage of using fewer players, a hallmark of many recent premiership winners.
There was positive news on the injury front for the other remaining contenders. Marika Koroibete was named for the Storm after suffering a lacerated Achilles in the win against the Roosters. The club will get a better indication of his chances after the former Tigers winger runs for the first time at training on Wednesday. There are no concerns about forwards Jordan McLean and Tim Glasby, who both suffered knee injuries. They trained strongly for the Storm on Sunday and will play, although coach Craig Bellamy has named forwards Christian Welch and Dayne Weston on an extended bench.
Brisbane and North Queensland haven't made any changes to their teams from their last outing. Underlining the strength of the Broncos backs, Wayne Bennett could not find room for Lachlan Maranta, Dale Copley or Daniel Vidot in the side, while Andrew McCullough is the only starting forward not to have played international football. Cowboys Kyle Feldt and Michael Morgan are certain starters despite suffering minor leg injuries against Cronulla.
