'We've got the belief': James Tedesco leads Sydney Roosters into unlikely NRL finals series

And somehow, when James Tedesco tells you the Sydney Roosters can rise above the odds to claim a third premiership in four seasons, you almost feel inclined to believe him.

On the surface it seems an almost impossible mission, with the first do-or-die task coming in an elimination final against the Gold Coast Titans at North Queensland Stadium on Saturday.

But this is the NRL finals series, and this is the Roosters. They go hand in hand. So when Tedesco speaks about what it would mean to lead this group to a premiership, he does so with conviction.

"It would be huge, being able to captain this team to a grand final win, I don't think I would be able to top that," Tedesco said.

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"It would be really special. We've had a lot of things go our way, '18 and '19 were really special, but to be able to go all the way with what we've had to overcome this year would be unbelievable.

"It's definitely doable, we've got the belief there. There has been no excuses, we've just got to get the job done and that's what we're looking forward to do."

A look at their casualty ward and the construction of a new wing at the club's retirement home suggests this tribe from Sydney's east has no right to be in the finals series at all.

Boyd Cordner, Brett Morris and Jake Friend have all retired this year. Chief playmaker Luke Keary suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear in March.

Lindsay Collins suffered the same fate. The campaigns of Billy Smith and highly touted young gun Joseph Suaalii came to a premature end. Joseph Manu's campaign ended with a fractured cheekbone as a result of that controversial Latrell Mitchell tackle.

It would be enough to put a red line through most clubs. But not the Roosters. Not Trent Robinson's squad, who look just as formidable this week as they have for months.

Angus Crichton and Josh Morris were back for last week's drubbing of the Canberra Raiders. Now Victor Radley returns from suspension. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is due back from a knee injury.

Somehow Robinson's Roosters have reached September an outside chance of springing an upset.

"Robbo has been instrumental in that. He has probably had to coach a lot more, especially because our pre-season team looks a lot different now to the team that has played most of the year," Tedesco said.

"Guys that didn't even train with us in the pre-season have come in and played four, five, six games for us throughout the year and haven't looked out of place at all which is a huge up for Robbo and the coaching staff for getting these boys ready to go, and instilling confidence in them to come in and put this jersey on, and just have no excuses. That's been our attitude all year.

"Robbo has been a great mentor and coach, instilling the confidence in us each week. If you look at our side, we've still got some quality players even though we're missing a few.

"The belief is still there that we can make it and win the grand final. We've just got to take it week in, week out and win four in a row. We're going after it."

NRL FINALS SERIES WEEK ONE

Friday: Melbourne Storm (1st) v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (4th) at Sunshine Coast Stadium, 7.50pm.

Saturday: Sydney Roosters (5th) v Gold Coast Titans (8th) at North Queensland Stadium, 5.40pm; Penrith Panthers (2nd) v South Sydney Rabbitohs (3rd) at North Queensland Stadium, 7.50pm.

Sunday: Parramatta Eels (6th) v Newcastle Knights (7th) at Browne Park, Rockhampton, 4.05pm.

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