NRL: Luke Keary stars as Sydney Roosters burn Cronulla Sharks

The NRL’s reigning premiers have sent a massive warning ahead of next week’s grand final rematch against the Storm, overwhelming Cronulla 30-16 at Shark Park.

It was a continuation of the Roosters’ season narrative as heir apparent to Cooper Cronk, Luke Keary, again dazzled in the centre of the park, bagging three try-assists with one to set up his mentor under the sticks.

That combination was complimented beautifully by Latrell Mitchell who found the spotlight with a speedy break away try, and James Tedesco who coach Trent Robinson touted ahead of the match as the world's best.

Joey Manu and Matt Ikuvalu orchestrated their own points on the right flank but amid the blossoming combinations stacking the Roosters’ roster, Tigers veteran Benji Marhsall assured Keary was the defining factor.

“Luke Keary is the main man on the team,” he told Fox Sports’ Super Saturday.

“There is no doubt about it.”

The Roosters turned the screws in an 11-minute period either side of halftime during which they ran in four tries.

The Sharks lost skipper Paul Gallen (ribs) on game day, compounding the absence of Matt Moylan (hamstring), Aaron Woods (foot) and Wade Graham (knee).

The Chooks victory ensures their grand final rematch with Melbourne next Friday will double as a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash.

The Roosters (68 per cent completion, 14 errors) and Sharks (66 per cent, 16 errors) were both poor with the ball but Trent Robinson's side won it with some moments of class.

After they led 6-0 late in the first half, they put on three tries, all on the back of Sharks errors to take the game out of the home side's hands.

The Roosters went 12-0 up on the stroke of halftime after they punished Shaun Johnson for a horrible lapse in judgment.

With a minute on the clock, the Sharks five-eighth elected to put in a chip which cheaply handed over possession.

With the last play of the half Keary landed a kick on a dime for Latrell Mitchell, who ran 60 metres to score as the hooter sounded in the background.

The Sharks blew a golden chance to claw one back in the first minute of the second stanza when Briton Nikora broke open the defence and Bronson Xerri dropped it cold.

From the next set, Mitchell spun out of a couple of tackles and sent James Tedesco over.

And when the Sharks kicked it dead on the full from the restart, Boyd Cordner crashed over a minute later.

The Roosters effectively sealed the result when Joey Manu produced a magical flick pass for Matt Ikuvalu who simultaneously defied gravity and some desperation cover defence to plant it in the corner.

The Sharks ran in three consolation tries to Josh Morris, Shaun Johnson and Jack Williams to lend some credibility to the scoreline.

- with AAP