Veteran coach confident his under-the-radar Roosters can ruffle feathers

They're one of the NRL's most high-profile clubs, but the lead-up to Sydney Roosters' 2012 campaign has been a low-key affair.

Last season was a dismal one for Brian Smith's side, who were in the headlines too often for the wrong reasons.

Todd Carney, Anthony Watts and Nate Myles, leading figures in last season's off-field dramas, have left the club, leaving Smith with the most youthful squad in the NRL.

And the veteran coach, who's going into his 28th season in charge of a club, is more than happy with the distraction-free build-up.

"Our form from last season ensured we stayed under the [pre-season] radar," Smith says.

"We've been going about our business quietly and the crew we've assembled are great individuals on and off the field."

Smith's charges have recorded impressive victories over Canterbury and pre-season favourites Wests Tigers in their trial fixtures.

The results fly in the face of many people's predictions of a season of struggle for a side with only three players over 25, in Sam Perrett, Braith Anasta and Anthony Minichiello.

However, the coach is more than happy to have his side dismissed as too young to seriously contend this year.

"Players make their first grade debuts a lot younger than they did in 1984," Smith said.

"We may only have three guys over 25, but we've a truckload who are 22, 23 who are established first-grade players.

"Mitchell Pearce is 23 in March and has over 120 first-grade appearances and Jake Friend turned 22 at the start of February and has played more than 70 games. So although they are young in life terms, in footy terms they're experienced."

The form of Pearce will be vital to the Roosters' hopes this year.

The NSW halfback endured a mixed 2011 for his club, but impressed during the State of Origin series and Smith believes there's a lot more to come.

"The reason he has 100-odd games already is that he had a good grasp on footy naturally from the beginning," he said.

"He's still learning, but he had a good base to work from and he's an outstanding player. He has lots to develop and these are things that only time can give you."

The loss of experienced backrower Myles opens the door for the talented Boyd Cordner to cement his place as a starter with Aidan Guerra.

However, it is the emergence of powerful young centre Tautau Moga that has Smith really excited.

The 18-year-old Queenslander has been likened to Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Folau and Smith is ready to unleash him on the NRL.

"Blind Freddy can see how talented he is," Smith said. "He's not just knocking on the door, he's kicked it off the hinges."

But despite his superlatives, the 57-year-old Smith says it would be unfair to expect too much from Moga. "He has ticked all the boxes, but there's only one place to tick boxes and we're about to find out if he can."

- AAP