Sydney Roosters legend and premiership-winning lock Luke Ricketson says the Roosters needed to drop a game prior to the grand final or risk losing the most important game of the year.

Ricketson told The Daily Telegraph that the Roosters will become far more dangerous now with three weeks left in the season (if they get through to the decider).

“It was a loss that had to happen,” Ricketson said.

“They have stayed at the top for a long time. Now they can refocus and get on with the next game.

“Look at the psychological side of it. Winning is great, it becomes a habit. But sometimes you need to break that to refocus. That is what happened. They had a lot of victories in a row.

“Now the team will get tighter in training and preparation.”

Ricketson added that the loss to Melbourne wasn’t all doom and gloom.

“To be quite honest, they still played well last Friday night,” Ricketson said.

“The signs are there that they are playing well. There weren’t any signs that the Roosters are playing negative. They are still in a good position.

“It will be another tough, forward-dominated arm-wrestle against the Bulldogs.”