Sydney Roosters Head Coach is looking forward to seeing his side take the field at Central Coast Stadium in tomorrow afternoon's clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Since 2004 the Roosters have taken matches to Gosford, and Robinson's side was greeted with a warm reception at their captain's run from loyal Members and supporters who made the trip to see their team take the field.
For the three-time Premiership-winning Head Coach, having the support from the stands added more positivity and excitement to the side's final preparations ahead of their Round 18 clash.
“It’s great to come up to the Central Coast and play our home game,” Robinson said.
“We’ve been up here for a while. We’ve been invested for a long period of time as Roosters and right through the junior grades to playing a senior game here as well as trials. It’s actually more support than what we’ve ever had coming up here. It’s a real positive.
“We’ve enjoyed having the break where we had a week off. We came back fresh and ready to go and we’re excited about playing this game tomorrow up on the Central Coast and going after the footy we want to play.
“It starts with tomorrow, it starts with St George Illawarra."
Robinson: "We're Back Fresh and Ready to Go"
Following an early dismissal from the State of Origin decider, Robinson confirmed that front rower Lindsay Collins would be remaining in Brisbane with family, with new arrival Matt Lodge set to don the Red, White and Blue for the first time.
He also provided a timely update on the return of enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to the side.
“He’s good,” he said of Collins.
“I spoke to him Thursday morning and he was in good spirits, but we decided to leave him in Brisbane to spend some time with family up there. He’ll be back this weekend.
“Lodgey will debut. He’s going to play this weekend so that’s timely to get him in and playing. He won’t start, he’ll come off the bench there.
“Jared has been out for a long time so just having that big physical body in the middle of the field is important for our game as well.
“His eagerness to get to know everyone and to come in and spend time with people is important, and his keenness to know what we want from him and the Roosters’ style of training and style of play.
“He’s spent time with coaches and other players and he still feels like his game is there to be improved, and that’s what you continuously want out of players.
“I like the speed at which we’re playing at. We’re starting to accelerate our game and guys like Egan Butcher and Connor (Watson) will bring that, but he’s a big body.
“Getting him (Waerea-Hargreaves) back in and around is key to us. He’s pretty vital with the way that we play. There’s still a little bit to do there before he gets out there.”
All week he’s been training really really well; he’s been vocal, he’s been strong he’s looked for those contacts that are going to get him ready to play.
Trent Robinson On Luke Keary's progression
Roosters Members and supporters will be pleased to hear of the progress of halfback Luke Keary, who has completed a full week of training on return from the bye round.
Robinson cited the importance of the playmakers' leadership and experience and hinted at a return in the not too distant future.
“He’s fully trained this week, so that’s been good but after a period of time we’ll be looking to get him back next week and back playing,” Robinson said.
“His talk is important to us, his leadership is important as one of our captains, but also giving him that time to make sure he’s right to get the best out of himself before he comes back in and leads the team around.
“He’s racing around trying to play his best game against us yesterday. All week he’s been training really really well; he’s been vocal, he’s been strong he’s looked for those contacts that are going to get him ready to play.
“It’s not right for this weekend, we just needed to see that week, see how he was feeling after each of those training sessions and get him back for a full week.”
Tomorrow's match also marks a milestone for the Roosters' mentor - 250 games as the Head Coach, continuing his run as the most experienced in the Club's history.
For Robinson though, it remains as just another game in the NRL.
“A mate from Adelaide told me this morning,” he laughed.
“That’s how I found out – I didn’t even know. In the nicest possible way, it’s not significant other than I love being here and I love my job and I’m going to keep doing it to the best of my ability.”
