Roosters v Magpies - Round 8: Kooty thump Werris Creek 68-12 | Ryley Mackay

After thumping Gunnedah 48-6 in a then season-best display last round, the Roosters found an even higher gear to run in 12 tries to two before a healthy crowd.

Post-match, Roosters coach Geoff Sharpe told his players that they should be "proud" of themselves, highlighting another compelling defensive effort.

It was Kooty's seventh win of a season that has gathered tremendous momentum after eight rounds.

Mackay - who started the year with a man-of-the-match impact in Kooty's opening round defeat of Werris Creek - notched his best-ever try haul in the top grade, after elevating his muscle mass and his game following the 2019 season.

The Roosters were beaten by North Tamworth in the grand final that year; Saturday's sublime showing underlined Kooty's premiership credentials as they chase a debut first-grade title.

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Mackay was a monster on the right side. All his tries were impressive solo efforts in which he showcased power and pace.

He said he was the beneficiary of a game plan that included spinning the ball wide to "get outside their centres".

"We just stuck to it and got it," he said.

Like all good side, Kootingal-Moonbi maintain the punishment when the vanquished are on their knees.

"We said, 'Once we get a foot on the throat, not to let it off," Mackay said.

Werris Creek - who suffered their sixth loss of the season - led 12-10 in the first half after conceding two early tries, their first four-pointer a 90m intercept by No 6 Isaah Millgate.

But when Mackay scored his second touchdown and halfback Sam Taylor converted, to make it 16-12 to the home team, the flood gates were about to open - if they had not already.

It was 22-12 to the Roosters at half-time after in-form centre Liam Hatch found himself in open space in Werris Creek's half and then beat two defenders to score under the posts. Hatch bagged four tries for the day.

Just after the break, Werris Creek lost the ball in their own half and Mackay was Johnny-on-the-spot - showing good hustle to post his third try.

Taylor, who converted nine of Kooty's 12 tries, added the extras: 28-12 to Kooty - the real pain nigh.

Roosters second-rower Logan Howard was rewarded for a fine display with a four-pointer that made it 56-12 in the 70th minute.

Nine minutes earlier, he had flew high to grab a Jordan Sharpe bomb and then off-loaded for Hatch to make the short dash to the Creek's tryline.

Kootingal-Moonbi 68 (R Mackay 6, L Hatch 4, J Kevill, L Howard tries; S Taylor 9 goals) d Werris Creek 12 (I Millgate, J Bates tries; C Leslie 2 goals)