Star centre Michael Jennings believes the Sydney Roosters have finally found their premiership spark five rounds out from the NRL finals
The premiers had suffered defeats to two of the bottom three teams in three weeks in the lead up to their last start win over St George Illawarra but the NSW and Australian representative feels the tricolours are finally starting to find their groove.
In his first game back after a month out with a back injury, Jennings said he witnessed the hallmarks of a lift in form for the Roosters.
"Five rounds to go to the finals and that was a good start for us," Jennings said.
"We know what position we are in at the moment, everything starts now.
"We have come off some tough losses and your confidence can be down, but we have that belief that we can get the job done.
"(But) If we lose one game it is crucial, we will go into every game knowing that.
"We have to really knuckle down and know each game is going to be a very tough game."
Skipper Anthony Minichiello has announced his intention to retire at season's end giving the club even more incentive to reach for back-to-back NRL titles, but with Sonny Bill Williams, Daniel Tupou and Mitchell Aubusson sidelined with injury, Jennings said the Roosters have some hurdles to overcome.
"There are a few distractions with injuries, I don't think we had this many distractions with injuries last year," he said.
"But I think we are sitting in a good spot, there is no panicking going on."
Jennings scored two tries against the Dragons and ahead of Monday's round 22 clash against the Gold Coast at Allianz Stadium, he said his own injury, a tear of the Latissimus dorsi muscle suffered in State of Origin II, is fine.
"It didn't trouble me once, it is good to see that it is all good," he said.
"My lungs were blowing, I was really struggling out there for fitness but I will pick that up in a couple of weeks.
"Other than that there is still a lot to work with, getting back on the left side and working with our defence, that is the main focus, getting that combination, getting the feel of it.
"But it is a good start to see where I am at."
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