New coach, new recruits and new attitude - finally the glitz is back in rugby league's glamour boys from Bondi.
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And they've got some silverware to show for it after the Roosters roasted the Dragons in the Anzac Day blockbuster at Allianz Stadium.
But you get the impression the real silverware may not be as far out of reach as first thought.
Especially when a measured coach like Trent Robinson admits the Tricolours are eons ahead of where he thought they'd be at this stage of the season.
"I think we are [a better team than I expected by round seven]," Robinson warned after the Roosters dished out a 34-10 hiding. "Not because of the talent of the players, but because of the mindset.
"We had to change the way we looked at footy and what was important and what wasn't. You're not always sure if they're going to buy into that really quickly and they have and we want to get better."
Dragons coach Steve Price, the subject of a bizarre mid-game announcement which keeps him at the helm until the end of 2015, is certainly a believer.
"They're a quality footy team," he said. "They've got some great experience ... especially in the halves. And they've got a blend of experience and youth in the outside backs. They're going to be a very competitive team."
As good as the Storm and Rabbitohs? Debatable.
"I don't think so yet," Robinson conceded. "I saw that game the other night and I still have memories of that round one game [a 28-10 loss to Souths]. I don't want to go into too much, but there's stuff we've got to do better to get those teams."
But if the likes of prized recruits Sonny Bill Williams and James Maloney keep puncturing opposition defensive lines like they did yesterday, the answer will be in the affirmative.
Perhaps the only thing more surprising than the Dragons' mid-game coaching bombshell was the fact the Red V actually looked on course to march to their own beat on Anzac Day yet again. They'd won the last five and looked on course after Jason Nightingale flopped on a loose ball to open the scoring.
But the Roosters reeled off 22 unanswered points to end the first half. Game over.
"When they got that first try I was a bit worried about the shock, but they regrouped," Robinson said. "As the game went on in the first half I thought we did a really good job."
From there the 40,752-strong crowd, an Anzac Day record, was effectively watching an audition for NSW Origin spots.
James Maloney and Ashton-Collier Spirit Of Anzac medalist Boyd Cordner are certainly two names in the mix for the Blues, trying to arrest a seven-year Queensland domination.
Price will head back to the drawing board - at least safe in the knowledge he will still be tending to it in 2014.
"I wouldn't say it's a step back, but I'm disappointed with the performance," he said. "One thing I do know is that we're better than what we dished up [yesterday]. We just couldn't control that ruck speed and we're coming off the back of the field all game."
In last night's other match, the Melbourne Storm held off a focused Warriors to remain unbeaten with a 28-18 victory.
The match again provided some heart-stopping moments with the NRL champions not hitting the lead at AAMI Park until the 72nd minute with centre Will Chambers getting his second for the night.
MATCH REPORT
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 34 (Michael Jennings 2, Mitchell Aubusson, Anthony Minichiello, Martin Kennedy, Daniel Tupou tries; James Maloney 5 goals) defeated ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 10 (Jason Nightingale, Matt Cooper tries; Jamie Soward goal) at Allianz Stadium. Referees: Shayne Hayne and Gerard Sutton. Crowd: 40,752.
ANZAC REVIVAL
Anzac Day was meant to belong to the Dragons – at least on the Allianz Stadium turf. Though they won the past five blockbusters, they were never really in the hunt – even after Jason Nightingale managed to touch down within the first five minutes. It was only the second time the Roosters had conceded points in their last nine halves of football. Boy, did they come out swinging after that. With Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney, Michael Jennings and Luke O’Donnell putting the glam back in the Bondi boys, they could very well be the real deal. And even coach Trent Robinson acknowledged his side’s progression had been faster than he had predicted.
MALONEY MAGIC
Todd Carney will want to put in a couple of career-best performances in one sky-blue jumper if he’s to claim the other sky-blue jumper he really wants. The reason? Roosters pivot Maloney is absolutely breathing down his neck. Just when you thought he couldn’t do any more after scheming and probing all day, there he was clinging to a marauding Brett Morris to prevent a certain Dragons consolation. Boyd Cordner may have been awarded the Ashton-Collier Spirit of Anzac Medal for man of the match, but Maloney was the real star in many eyes.
WHAT TO DO IN THE BREAK?
The Dragons will have plenty of time to digest this humbling defeat and coach Steve Price’s re-signing with an extended break before they take on Manly at WIN Jubilee Oval on Monday week. Perhaps three consecutive wins against a distracted Cronulla, lacklustre Knights and wounded Tigers flattered them. Manly will be a real test of their mettle.
THE CROWD
Who said rugby league was in crisis? That didn’t matter to the 40,752 who shuffled through the gates yesterday. It was an Anzac Day record to prove the game on the field remains as good as ever.
