'Have to pick up their act': NRL legends put 'awful' Roosters on notice after qualifying final loss

The Roosters bid to prove they can overcome the absence of several high-profile players has commenced in brutal fashion as the Panthers produce a 30-10 demolition.

The loss marked the visitors tenth-straight defeat at the foot of the Mountains as their premiership hopes were placed on life support.

"They have to pick up their act," Andrew Johns said on Nine.

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"Their discipline in the first half ... you can't invite teams like Penrith into your end."

Roosters lock Connor Watson told Nine post-match that his team took the field with a "fair bit of belief', but was ultimately disappointed by the result.

"We've just got to do a better job defensively," Connor Watson told Nine.

"We were on the back foot the whole time [in the first half], they had all the ball.

"We spoke about it a halftime and there was a fair bit of belief there. We fixed it at the start of the second half but it was just really disappointing to let 24 points in.

"I feel like there were some positive signs in the second half but we can't dwell on [the defeat] too much."

Finishing with a 20-point deficit, the Roosters had a short-lived comeback to halt an eager Panthers outfit, who looked on track to extend the margin significantly.

With very little contest in the opening 25 minutes, discipline proved to be the costly factor for the Robinson's men and a club legend didn't mince his words.

"It's a great opening 20 minutes from Penrith, but it's an awful opening 20 minutes from the Roosters," Brad Fittler said.

"You need to get your discipline in order or you just can't compete at this level."

Penrith held 67 percent of possession with a competition rate of 21/22, while the Roosters had 12/15 after the first 40.

In a rare horror night for Daniel Tupou, the Roosters star recorded the highest amount of errors for his team, with four costly dropped balls gifting the homeside easy metres.

But upon review from the break, Penrith's "ill discipline" gave the Roosters exactly what they needed to start the final 40 as Joseph Suaalii muscled over to ignite the visitors comeback charge.

An error 15 metres out from their line saw the Panthers under pressure to hold off a charging Roosters outfit, but a gap in the line saw skipper James Tedesco slice over.

"They've been really brave in this second half the Roosters," said Johns.

"Ivan Cleary will be a little bit disappointed with that," Smith added.

But just as Robinson's men began to build momentum, the errors returned and Penrith regained control.

Referee Ashley Klein halted a Suaalii breakaway as Tupou and Tedesco were pinged for a forward pass.

Two more errors followed to bring the Roosters total to 11 in comparison to Penrith's 5 mistakes, while Luke Garner toppled over for a double.

The Roosters will face a do-or-die elimination match against the winner of the Bulldogs and Manly, which will take place on Sunday.