The Roosters face Manly in a do-or-die finals match on Saturday, as they look to rebound from a chastening defeat to the Panthers in week one of the finals.
The stakes are rising not only due to the threat of elimination, but due to the fact many popular players could be playing their last game in the famous tricolours.
There is also an added layer of motivation for the boys from Bondi, as they look to give a key player a milestone game to remember.
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Trent Robinson praises James Tedesco ahead of 250th game
Ahead of the semi-final against Manly, Robinson paid tribute to Roosters captain James Tedesco, who is playing in his 250th NRL match.
Having been a high profile signing in 2018, he helped lead the club to back-to-back premierships and has played 159 times for the Roosters.
"He's [had] a huge impact on the club," Robinson said to media earlier this week.
"He's our captain, our leader, he's played an incredible style of play over that [time], the consistency which he's played with.
"It hasn't always been an easy road for him with injuries early on and the constant scrutiny he's been under, but he's held a line throughout his career and to get to 250 [games] at his speed is a credit to him."
Tedesco has had his issues over the past few seasons, with a controversial alleged racial incident on a night out, as well as a loss of form that saw him lose his spot in the NSW Origin side despite being captain.
However, he has scored 14 tries in 22 matches this year in a sign he is beginning to get closer to his best, and Robinson has praised the impact of the star fullback on the club this season, who have been hit hard by injuries and suspensions.
"I feel like he really led the way for us," Robinson said.
"He came back early in the pre-season - earlier than he had to pre-Christmas - got to work and that's showed in his form.
"Right from game one he's been leading the way."
He will need to do similar for a Roosters side without Brandon Smith and Sam Walker.
The Tricolours have been boosted by the early return of Victor Radley, with Robinson confirming the forward would be right to go on Saturday night: "He's right to go, he's got one more thing to tick off this morning, but he'll be ready to go."