The Sydney Roosters wild journey through the 2019 NRL season will prepare them for anything they will face down the stretch, according to coach Trent Robinson.
The defending premiers moved up to second ahead of local rivals South Sydney with a hard-earned 24-16 away win over Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium on Friday.
It was just the Roosters second win in their last six games, of a turbulent mid-season period during which they have been hit by injuries and representative calls.
But the clouds look to be clearing over the club with five-eighth Luke Keary setting up three tries in his first match in six weeks following his latest concussion.
Robinson said hooker Jake Friend was pretty close to making a return next week from the bicep injury, which has sidelined him since late April.
Provided James Tedesco and Boyd Cordner emerge uninjured from next Wednesday's State of Origin decider, the Roosters could have all their big guns back on board as they begin their run home.
"I think it will be the first time we've played with a full spine all year, I can't wait for the next month of footy," Keary said.
Robinson said he had actually enjoyed dealing with the challenges he had faced through the year to date.
'You're not going to climb the same path as you do every year, it's a new journey and its been a wild one so far," Robinson said
'"Already there's been so many different combinations and so many different movements that we've had to make
"It's good, it builds resilience, it builds a depth of combinations that you may use in smaller moments, so getting back the consistency of guys is important
'Whatever we end up with, we'll be ready for because we've had to deal with a lot this year in change of personnel and positions."
Robinson praised the performances of his bench quartet, saying they were the difference, rating dropped Blues forward Angus Crichton's effort as exceptional.
He also lauded his wingers, Daniel Tupou and Ryan Hall, both of who ran over 200m.
