The Sydney Roosters are sensing a big opportunity against a Melbourne outfit missing their "big three", with Brian Smith's men desperate to finally get a horror NRL season going.

Last weekend's tough 13-6 win over the in-form Warriors would have provided Roosters supporters with a glimmer of hope they could repeat their stunning run to the 2010 grand final.

The relieving victory came after just three wins in the previous 12 rounds, while off-field dramas surrounding Dally M medallist Todd Carney and new recruit Anthony Watts had threatened to derail their season.

A win over the Origin-depleted Storm would, in effect, represent a four-point boost with the Roosters' second bye following the AAMI Park game on Monday night.

Melbourne will be without superstar Queenslanders Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, while centre Dane Nielsen will also be missing as he prepares for his second Origin game.

"We're definitely looking to build a bit of momentum after the victory last week against the Warriors," forward Mark Riddell told reporters on Thursday.

"I'm not too sure whether it's a turning point or not but it's definitely something to build on and work from.

"We've got a good opportunity against Melbourne without their Origin stars this week to get another win before we go into our second bye."

The Roosters too will need to overcome the loss of Origin representatives Anthony Minichiello, Mitchell Pearce and Nate Myles, while they also have a mounting injury toll that claimed New Zealand international Shaun Kenny-Dowall last weekend.

But they will boast a halves pairing with Test experience in Braith Anasta and Todd Carney, while the Storm go in with inexperienced duo Gareth Widdop and Rory Kostjasyn.

"We're probably in the same boat (as Melbourne) a little bit," Riddell said.

"We've got a plethora of injuries and three blokes in the Origin so we're pretty undermanned ourselves.

"You take out Mini, Pearcey and Mylesy and we lose a lot of quality but we're pretty confident in our young blokes and we're confident that we can get the job done."

Meanwhile, Riddell has laughed off a newspaper article listing him as one of the 10 worst buys of 2011.

"It's probably the first time I've ever been in the top 10 of anything," he said.

"There's no doubting the fact that I write for a rival newspaper has come into it.

"I'm not too fussed about it. We'll get on with it."

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