While the league patiently waited for the Roosters' attack to click into gear, not once did Cronk waver in his belief that the club were on the right path towards title contention.

"Statistics show you need to be one of the best defensive teams to make a dent in this competition," Cronk tells AAP.

And statistics show Cronk is right.

Ten of the 20 grand final-winning teams in the NRL era finished the regular season as the best defensive team in the league, and 15 of them inside the top four.

This year, the Roosters rank first in points conceded (15 per game), line breaks conceded (3.4), and tackles per try inside their 20-metre zone (15.6).

They also have the least missed tackles per game, with 22.

It's the recipe to success.

"It sets a really good mindset," Cronk says.

"If you focus on the harder aspect of the game, it gives you a mental resilience and strong mindset to play anyone, anywhere under any circumstances at any time."

But during their recent run of nine wins in ten games - which has catapulted them to the top of the table - it's their attack that has finally clicked.

Since their round 11 defeat to Brisbane, the Roosters have gone from having the 12th best attack in the league to the fourth.

Winger Blake Ferguson leads the league in tries (20, equal with Valentine Holmes), runs and run metres, while centre Latrell Mitchell is the competition's leading pointscorer.

Luke Keary is equal first in try assists, while James Tedesco is third in tackle breaks.

"We were lacking cohesion and fluency with our attacking style at the start of the year, a few things changed and we've definitely now got belief in our system," Cronk says.

"Wherever the ball is played on the field, we've got something to go to."

The Roosters will look to keep top spot when they visit Canberra, however they'll have to do it without Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who has been replaced by Dylan Napa.

The Raiders have lost four on the trot and are out of finals reckoning in tenth, but have claimed the past three matches.

STATS THAT MATTER

* Canberra haven't won three straight over the Roosters since winning four straight in 1993-96.

* The Roosters have scored double digits against the Raiders in 35 straight matches - their most against any team in club history.

* The Raiders are aiming for their fifth straight win over the Roosters in the nation's capital for the first time in club history.

Australian Associated Press