Sydney Roosters skipper Braith Anasta has revealed a desire to banish memories of a miserable 2009 season has been a major factor in the team's march to the preliminary final.

The Roosters are looking to become the first NRL team to win a premiership after finishing wooden spooners 12 months earlier.

And Anasta believes the sky is the limit for his side, who now face the Gold Coast at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday for a place in the grand final.

"It does make it special considering how poor last season was and all the dramas that surrounded the club off the field, but at the same time it has taken a lot of hard work to get this far," Anasta told AAP on Sunday.

"But the reality of it is that we're here and there is no point admiring what we have done, we have to go up there and win."

The Roosters' comfortable 34-12 win over Penrith on Saturday was a lot more straightforward than the 100-minute epic against Wests Tigers seven days earlier, a factor not lost on Anasta.

"The good thing for us was that after playing 100 minutes last week it probably wasn't the most intense game and in the second half it gave us a bit of a rest which we need with the short turnaround," he said.

"It was a good solid win, and we dominated for most of the match, as we should have considering they had so many injuries.

"We probably didn't have to be at our best, but next week we will."

Brian Smith's men have won all three of their matches in Queensland this year and, although the Titans won the last meeting between the sides at the Sydney Football Stadium in round 24, Anasta said playing in Brisbane holds no fear.

"It will be hard, but we have played up in Brisbane twice this year and beaten the Broncos and the Titans and have travelled well all year and enjoy it," he said.

"We have a lot of Roosters fans in Queensland and I imagine we will see a few fly up from Sydney ... it does not make too much difference where we play.

Halfback Mitchell Pearce labelled his performance against Penrith was his best of the year as he scored a try and produced an outstanding all-round display.

The NSW playmaker also said it was vital for him and in-form five-eighth Todd Carney to not allow themselves to be overawed by the prospect of facing veteran Titans halves Scott Prince and Mat Rogers in such a huge game.

"I was really happy with my game, I put myself in the game, pulled off some good tackles and scored a try," Pearce said.

"We are not going to be overawed for sure but it is up to us to control the game.

"But it feels a bit surreal and we will run out next week knowing that one win and we will be playing our biggest ever game in a grand final.

"It feels a bit weird but we just have to ride with the wave and enjoy it."

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