James Tedesco has warned it is 'scary' how good the Sydney Roosters will be in coming years, after their next generation starred in a 42-8 demolition of North Queensland.
In one of their most dominant performances of the season, the Roosters ran in five second-half tries against the hapless Cowboys to go seventh on the NRL ladder.
It was only three-and-a-half months ago that the Roosters conceded 50 points to Brisbane in round one, then dropped four of their first five games.
At that point there were fears for their season, after a summer in which the club lost close to 1000 games of experience at the end of last year.
But this is suddenly a very different Roosters outfit.
Sunday's win was their biggest of 2025, and the second half was close to their most impressive.
The only concerns were injuries to second-rower Siua Wong and five-eighth Sandon Smith, who picked up knee issues.
Tedesco is having close to his best season in the No.1 jersey, but the club's unsung heroes are also flying around him.
Salesi Foketi performed superbly in filling in for Victor Radley at lock, sending Lindsay Collins over for the first try with a perfect short ball.
The No.13 had a role in another during the Roosters' second-half run, with he and Angus Crichton throwing offloads before Smith kicked for Tedesco to score.
Bench hooker Benaiah Ioelu starred in his fourth NRL game, kicking twice in the lead-up to tries.
One came when a 40-20 attempt bounced back into the hands of Robert Toia before Connor Watson crossed, and another was a cross-field effort for Daniel Tupou.
Billy Smith also scored a double in his first full season uninterrupted by injury, while Naufahu Whyte ran 173 metres and is close to the NRL's most improved player.
Mark Nawaqanitawase also scored twice and is proving a threat on the right wing, with one try coming after an incredible tap-back from rising halfback Hugo Savala.
"The leadership have been really special this year with what these guys have done," coach Trent Robinson said.
"But they've also created belief in the younger guys to be themselves and also take advantage of what they see in front of them.
"You can beat them down and tell them, 'This is how we used to do it', or you can say, 'Be yourself'.
"And that is Teddy's style and you can see that coming out in their game."
Tedesco said he had seen the potential in the youngsters during pre-season, even if it took them time to adapt to the week-to-week grind.
"It's going to be scary in the next two or three years how good these guys are going to get," Tedesco said.
"Because even after 15 games they are shining and playing so well.
"These boys are not looking for the fancy moments. They are looking to work hard every week.
"And then when they get opportunities to express themselves they do it."
Then there is Tedesco's football, whick Billy Slater claimed in Nine's commentary on Sunday was better than he'd ever seen from the Roosters No.1.
The fullback scored his try, made a bust before Billy Smith's first, then helped the Tri-colours on the attack for the centre's second.
His most crucial play was a late one-on-one strip on John Bateman just before halftime, with the Cowboys on the attack and fighting to make it 18-10.
In contrast, the past month has been a nightmare for the Cowboys, after they were beaten 58-4 by the Dolphins last week.
Todd Payten's men are now 12th, with just one win since they demolished Gold Coast at Magic Round.
"Disappointing, and far from good enough," Payten said.
"We got bullied. It was men against boys there for a little bit and that's concerning."