South Sydney could find themselves in hot water over their concussion protocols after Sam Burgess was allowed to continue playing for several minutes with a concussion that later forced him out of the game.

Luke Keary has firmed as a legitimate Dally M Medal contender and is already being hailed as the buy of the year ... while touching the ball less than any other half in the competition.

Ryan Matterson's shift from five-eighth to the back row is already paying dividends for the Roosters.

The Sydney Roosters have swatted away suggestions there was a forward pass in the lead-up to Michael Gordon's match-winning try on Saturday.

The Roosters have surged clear atop the NRL ladder after downing the Penrith Panthers 14-12 in a thriller.

• Live

Follow full live coverage of the three NRL clashes on Saturday afternoon.

It's being billed as a potential grand final audition. East versus west in a battle that pins the hottest halves combination in the game against the most exciting two young play makers in the NRL.

Injury depleted Gold Coast have received another blow with the NRL knocking back their request to play recruit Dale Copley in Friday night's NRL clash with Parramatta.

The injury ravaged Gold Coast are hopeful Dale Copley will make his Titans debut in Friday night's NRL clash with Parramatta, barely 48 hours after signing the out of favour Sydney Roosters centre.

The high-flying Sydney Roosters have parted ways with chief executive John Lee after 18 months at the helm of the club.

Gold Coast have signed Sydney Roosters centre Dale Copley in a desperate bid to boost their ailing backline stocks.

Instead of the panic button, Gold Coast coach Neil Henry is set to reach out for Sydney Roosters centre Dale Copley after the Titans' depleted backline stocks took another hit with Jarryd Hayne out for up to six weeks.

The Sydney Roosters five-eighth left Souths following a bust-up with Russell Crowe and takes on the Rabbitohs in nine days' time.

Luke Keary credits his storming start to the NRL season to the clear head he's found having escaped the spotlight at South Sydney.

Latrell Mitchell wandered back into pre-season training at a weight almost reserved for a front-rower than a free-running centre.

He could be the buy of the season and won man of the match honours, but it didn't stop Luke Keary from being caught in Roosters coach Trent Robinson's crosshairs after the Tricolours recorded their best ever start under the premiership-winning coach.

You know what happened the last time the Roosters finished in the bottom four? They won it all the next. Everyone rolled out the near worst-to-first headlines, the comebacks, revival stories. There's every chance they might be ready to do it again.

• Live

Follow full live coverage as the Roosters host the Bulldogs.

Teen sensation Latrell Mitchell and a revitalised Daniel Tupou are shaping as the Sydney Roosters' X factor this year but Trent Robinson is refusing to let them soak up the plaudits.