He was adamant the issues that night could be fixed and he was right, although an under-strength Roosters outfit could barely muster a quarter of the resistance of the well-drilled Storm machine. But the manner in which they tore the Roosters to shreds will please the mercurial coach no end.

Their focus will now turn to the Rabbitohs, who they will meet on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium. Bennett’s men have enjoyed the benefit of the week off after their upset of Penrith and the old master will have been plotting from the moment full-time was sounded on Manly’s triumph.

The last time the sides met was all the way back in round two, where Souths won 26-12, but that may as well be in an alternate universe given what has transpired since. Manly lost their first four games, Souths lost the same number of matches all season, but once again Trbojevic looms as the potential circuit-breaker.

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It was the most difficult of nights for a Roosters outfit that held on so tightly to beat the Titans last week. In truth, they had been flying on vapour towards the finals for some time after a season in which they were savaged by serious injuries and retirements.

The side they turned out against Manly wouldn’t have looked much like the one Trent Robinson would have envisaged if he had to dream up this scenario at the start of the year. After the match, he said the manner of the defeat hurt but he was beaming with pride given the difficult season they endured.

“I just said to the guys in there, it’s the craziest coaching year that I’ve had, to retire legends of the game, the injuries we’ve had, every game was a new combination and a new task,” Robinson said.

“But their attitude every week was incredible. We’re a greater Roosters club than we were at the start of 2021. They’ve done our club proud, we’re a stronger club because of the way they’ve acted this year.”

Mainstays Boyd Cordner, Brett Morris and Jake Friend all retired along the way, leaving a vast experience gap for young stars such as Walker to attempt to fill. Luke Keary and Lindsay Collins both ruptured ACLs, while boom schoolboy Joseph Suaalii succumbed to a foot injury.

Sio Siua Taukeaiho (knee) and Joseph Manu (facial fracture) were among the more recent casualties, while hooker Sam Verrills was suspended for a dangerous tackle. It added up to a thumping defeat for a side that must put the pieces back together in the off-season to remain a perennial post-season presence.