Sydney Roosters captain Braith Anasta claims his side's performance in 2011 will determine if they took anything out of their NRL grand final capitulation at the hands of St George Illawarra.

The Roosters gave up 26 second-half points in surrendering an 8-6 halftime lead in Sunday's decider, leaving Anasta and his teammates devastated that a fairytale run not seen in 76 years had fallen just short of the perfect ending.

Last to first it may not have been, but laughing stock to second best and a club with its pride restored is a fair accomplishment in 12 months.

But now the big test is to see how they go on from here.

Anything the club achieved this year was going to be an improvement on the disaster of 2010, but improving in 2011 will be tougher given the greater expectations.

"We'll find out next year," Anasta said when asked if the club would take anything from the grand final loss.

"They'll learn a lot from not just (that game) but the whole year, I think they were fantastic.

"I'm proud of every individual - I told them that before we played - and I thought they had done their club very proud.

"It's definitely restored pride in the Roosters jersey."

While celebrations back at Easts Leagues Club were a little subdued late on Sunday night, fans and players did take the time to celebrate the stunning transformation the club had undergone over the past 12 months.

Coach Brian Smith and Anasta were among those to address the faithful, with optimism high for a successful season in 2011 given there will be minimal movements to the playing roster.

Canberra winger Justin Carney and North Queensland hooker Anthony Watts are the only major additions, with Lopini Paea (Catalans Dragons) and the off-contract James Aubusson the only players set to leave the club.

The halves combination of Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce will no doubt be better for the 12 months they have spent together, while Carney's elevation to the Australian squad should provide him with the impetus to improve on his stellar individual efforts of 2010.

Club officials claimed the knee injury Carney suffered in the dying stages of the grand final would not keep him out of the Four Nations, where he will serve as back-up to first-choice halves Darren Lockyer and Cooper Cronk.

Carney will also come into consideration along with Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley for the utility role on the bench.

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