That much was clear as they demolished the Dolphins 64-12 on Saturday night to claim a 10th win of the season and keep their finals hopes alive. Spencer Leniu triggered a snap four-man sin bin after he saw red mist and wanted to throw hands. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. But the Roosters composed themselves to blow the Dolphins off the park on the back of a dominant effort by their forwards and some clinical finishing. James Tedesco had another superb game to surely sew up his second Dally M Medal, while coach Trent Robinson would have been ecstatic by the performance of his young halves Sam Walker and Hugo Savala. Walker hasn’t skipped a beat since returning from his ACL injury and he showed off his has his trademark spontaneity in attack on Saturday, typified by his tactical pause before throwing a cut-out pass to Daniel Tupou for an easy try. Walker’s talent has been well known but the emergence of Savala this season has been a revelation for the Tricolours. The 194cm five-eighth looks silky smooth every time he touches the ball and his kicking game has proved a bonus for the Roosters — his pinpoint kicks to the corner set up Mark Nawaqanitawase for two tries against the Dolphins. “Savala put in a five-cent piece,” Fox League commentator Warren Smith said, describing Savala as a “rising star of the competition”. “Savala is playing his hand beautifully,” Michael Ennis added. Savala has only played 16 games but it’s hard to imagine Robinson not picking the 23-year-old anytime soon, but halves selection could soon prove a headache for Robbo. Chad Townsend has announced his retirement, but the Roosters could soon have two quality playmakers sitting in reserve grade if Cherry-Evans joins the glamour club as expected next season. The 36-year-old Manly veteran is yet to officially make a call on his future after announcing he wouldn’t be playing at the Sea Eagles beyond 2025. Cherry-Evans told news.com.au last month there was “no update” on his next destination and he was focused on helping Manly secure a spot in the top eight. But it’s widely expected Cherry-Evans will join the Roosters on a one-year deal, with recent reports he will play five-eighth alongside Walker before transitioning into a coaching role in 2027. The Roosters want Cherry-Evans to be the final piece of the premiership puzzle, like Cooper Cronk was in the 2018-19 glory years. But the success of this year’s debutants and their home grown brigade of players like Walker, Savala, Robert Toia and Benaiah Iuoe suggests the Roosters might not need a high profile recruit like DCE to get them over the hump. Giving Cherry-Evans the No. 6 jersey would likely relegate Savala and Sandon Smith to reserve grade, which would be a waste of talent and could invite overtures from rival clubs. The reaction on social media to Walker and Savala’s performance against the Dolphins summed it up. Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield wrote on X: “Starting to think DCE might be playing NSW Cup for the Chooks.” One fan wrote on social media: “I hope the Roosters haven’t signed DCE for next season. Him standing in the way of Hugo Savala playing regular football would be a disgrace.” A second said: “Signing Daly Cherry Evans is the dumbest signing considering they’ve got this young gun Savala playing so well.” A third commented: “Tell me why we signed Daly Cherry-Evans again. The future is right there. Hugo Savala. Sam Walker.” A fourth said: “Still crazy that Savala will probably be dropped to the bench for 37-year-old DCE next year.” Another urged the Roosters to “sign Savala to a lifetime deal”. The Dolphins were without Herbie Farnworth and a host of first choice forwards, but putting 64 points on them will surely make the NRL’s premiership contenders wary of facing the Roosters if they make finals. This season was supposed to be a write-off for the Roosters, but they have certainly unearthed some gems and could have a part to play in finals.