Walker’s path back to the top grade might be a slow one,and the Roosters have little time to cure their attacking ills with a clash against two-time defending premiers Penrith at BlueBet Stadium on Friday night.

Asked about the halves,Tedesco said:“It’s been a change,obviously with Brandon as well[at hooker],it took time to get you used to him. And then we got Joey come in.

“I feel like it’s a work in progress,but I’m enjoying playing with Joey in the halves. Luke enjoys steering the team around,but he needs to get his instincts up and play footy. It’s a work in progress,but I’m enjoying having Joey in there and I feel like it’s going to keep getting better and better.

“It’s pretty much no talent required areas[which need to be better],and once we do that for each other,big moments will come off. Suaalii will start getting some ball,Joey will start coming up with something.

“We just can’t be waiting for it every play. That’s what we were guilty of[against the Cowboys].”

Roosters hardman Radley questioned his side’s physicality against the Cowboys,but relished the chance to turn it around in the toughest away trip in the NRL. The Panthers have won their last six games against the Roosters stretching back to 2020.

“We weren’t up for the game[against the Cowboys] like they were and that’s the hardest thing about it,losing when they were more physical and more up for the game,” Radley said. “We’re grown men and we’ve got to go and have a pop.”

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