Kooty have been clearly the dominate side all year, and after this weekend’s matches they lead the competition by six points – a clinical 58-13 dismantling of Bingara on Saturday ensuring that.

But their success has made them a marked side.

Hyson has recognised that. And he expects the intensity directed at his troops to rise as the competition crescendos into what is shaping as an intriguing run to the finals.

“We know it’s going to be much harder from now on, starting with Barraba this week,” he said, adding: “That’s what everyone says (sides lift against the Roosters). So I believe it.

“It would be no different if someone else was on top. We’d be in the same boat – we’d want to beat them.

“We’ve earned our spot up there and we’ll continue to work hard.”

Success becomes this Roosters outfit. However it was only last year that they struggled through a four-win, eight-loss season, in Hyson’s first year in charge of the side.

Still, he saw potential.

“We had a lot of close losses (in 2016). And with limited (player) numbers, I was pretty happy with the performances,” he said.

“This year, having some depth, we’re able to run blokes on and off. It makes a big difference.”

In a warning to rivals, Hyson said the Roosters were intent on evolving in the second half of the season, which started last round.

“There are a few things we’re putting in place in the second half of the year and we’ll carry that through to the final, hopefully, if we make it,” he said.

“The guys have got their ideas. It’s a matter of practicing what we preach.”

After round 12 of the competition, a group of teams is bunched behind the Roosters on the ladder.

Kooty’s sole loss of the season was one of the year’s best matches – a 22-16 home loss to Bundarra in round six.

That clash exemplified the lift sides get when confronting the Roosters. 

Bendemeer and Barraba are on 16 points, while on 15 points are Manilla, Bundarra and Uralla.

Still very much in the mix are Boggabri (14 points) and Dungowan (13 points).

Defending premiers Werris Creek gave their finals hopes a boost with a timely 30-6 win over Manilla on Saturday and are in ninth place on 10 points.

Aside from Kooty, four teams have stood out in recent weeks. 

Uralla’s 36-20 home defeat of Walcha on Friday night was their fourth win in succession.

Since forfeiting to Manilla in round nine, Barraba has won two straight and had the bye last round.

Boggabri has won three of their past four matches, including a 40-14 win over Dungowan on Saturday.

Bendemeer has had two consecutive victories since giving the Roosters a major fright in a 40-36 loss in round nine.

Bendemeer coach Paul Craig’s decision to move halfback Adam Ruttley to fullback and fullback Harlee Millgate to halfback proved highly judicious against the third-placed Bears at Bundarra on Saturday, with the  Mountain Men triumphing 52-12.

Ruttley posted a hat-trick of tries as he relished the extra room at the back in a man of the match display, while skipper Millgate led from the front in a performance Craig labelled one of the side’s best.

The win moved Bendemeer, winless in 2016 in a wooden-spoon season, from fourth to second on the ladder.