SQUAD v TITANS

[Eggspert]

The decisions made by Coach Robinson are the least of the concerns when you delve into it though

The Roosters for quite a while haven't had the full 30 player squad allowable - This season with the additional of Brown they had 28 players on the books at the squads peak

They have relied on Development contract and extended Bench contract players to fill the void

Of these 28 - Toia and Watson are yet to play and Lodge is now with Manly

You can see from below how many games the main players on 300 k have missed so far this season with Luke Keary the only player to have played all games (17) . - Sitili is out for the season I understand and Crichton and Walker are still recovering from their respective knee injuries so will be unavailable for more games

One can also say that Tedesco/Manu/Suaalii/Walker/Keary/Brandon Smith/Crichton/Radley for instance have not been near their best in the games/ periods they have played so far in 2023 either.

A Clubs depth will always be tested/challenged when injuries and form issues occur.

Not sure if the following is indicative of all clubs but it is often said that Roosters Squad is top heavy.

When you break down the squad based on estimated contract value one could certainly question the pundits and folks view on here that this is the best squad in the NRL let alone atop 4 one.

It has to be noted that not a lot of folk on here rate many/most of the players in 300k or less group and that's almost half the squad (13 players)

One can say the 13 players on over 300 k are safe unless Suaalii goes to Rugby

It's in the 300 k and under group where the changes will be made - Billy Smith/Wong/E Butcher/Whyte/Toia are safe - 2 have signed with other clubs / 5 others are off contract (includes Brown) and 2 others with Contracts have reportedly been told they are free to leave if offered a contract by another club.


17 Games played

Players on over 300 k - 13 players - roughly 8.55 mill

1. Nat Butcher - 15 games - 400 k
2. Lindsay Collins - 16 games 700 k
3. Angus Crichton - 9 games - 600 k
4. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - 13 games - 700 k
5. Luke Keary - 17 games - 800 k
6. Joseph Manu - 14 games - 800 k
7. Victor Radley - 13 games - 600 k
8. Brandon Smith - 12 games - 800 k
9. Joseph Suaalii - 13 games - 750k
10. James Tedesco - 14 games - 1.1 mil
11. Daniel Tupou - 12 games - 400 k
12. Sitili Tupouniua - 8 games - 400 k
13. Sam Walker - 6 games - 500 k

Players reportedly on mins as other clubs are still paying them - 2 players

1. Nathan Brown - 7 games - Off Contract
2. Matt Lodge - 9 games - Now with Manly

Players on 300 k and Under - 13 players

1. Watson - 0 games - Off Contract
2. Momirovski - 2 games
3. Baker - 7 games - Signed with Brisbane
4. Turpin - 13 games - Off Contract
5. E Butcher - 15 games
6. Allan - 9 games - Off Contract
7. Whyte - 8 games
8. Paulo - 11 games - Signed with Manly
9. Wong - 2 games
10. Hutchinator - 14 games - Off Contract
11. Billy Smith - 7 games
12. May - 8 games
13. Toia - 0 games

"Robbo's decisions are the least of the concerns"

What? Really?

The bloke who trains them, runs through tactics, knows their strengths, weaknesses & limitations & the bloke who picks them in their positions?

The bloke who can't stamp out the errors, penalties & 6 agains which cripple us in games?

The bloke who has only beaten Cleary, Bellamy, Demetriou, Bennett..etc only 4 times in the last 24 games?

The bloke who has some outstanding talent at his disposal which others would kill for?

The bloke who claimed a talented halfback who got us on a 8 game winning streak last year was the sole culprit on our form?

Yep your right, Poor Robbo, nothing's his fault.

[Qld Chook]

That backline hasn’t played together once all season. How many of these experts had the Warriors or even the Broncos fighting for a top 4 spot?

Exactly. We should be asking why this backline hasnt played more this year.. Suualli is definitely a winger and Manu a centre, why tinker with something that doesn’t need tinkering.

The Warriors and Bronx have definitely been very well coached this season but I don’t understand what that has to do with us under-delivering.

[Steggles]

"Robbo's decisions are the least of the concerns"

What? Really?

The bloke who trains them, runs through tactics, knows their strengths, weaknesses & limitations & the bloke who picks them in their positions?

The bloke who can't stamp out the errors, penalties & 6 agains which cripple us in games?

The bloke who has only beaten Cleary, Bellamy, Demetriou, Bennett..etc only 4 times in the last 24 games?

The bloke who has some outstanding talent at his disposal which others would kill for?

The bloke who claimed a talented halfback who got us on a 8 game winning streak last year was the sole culprit on our form?

Yep your right, Poor Robbo, nothing's his fault.

You forgot that he’s the bloke that has the final say on players coming and going as well. Liu and Verrills are still sorely missed.
Robbo’s coaching has been average for a couple of years, but this year he seems to have lost the plot and appears to not have the plan to get us out of the shit. I’d say that’s definitely our biggest concern at the moment.

[Qld Chook]

Why hasn't Turpin been re-signed yet?

No idea. Should be one of our highest priorities along with Nathan Brown and Connor (if possible). I’d happily release Suualli to make this happen.

[Bates]

Exactly. We should be asking why this backline hasnt played more this year.. Suualli is definitely a winger and Manu a centre, why tinker with something that doesn’t need tinkering.

The Warriors and Bronx have definitely very well coached this season but I don’t understand what that has to do with us under-delivering.

The Warriors coach is doing an outstanding job.

[Qld Chook]

The Warriors coach is doing an outstanding job.

Surely has. First year in the job too. Imagine when he has time to establish the squad he wants.

[Bates]

Surely has. First year in the job too. Imagine when he has time to establish the squad he wants.

They're fun to watch. Johnson is in great form. I thought he was done!

[SamKerrSimp]

Exactly. We should be asking why this backline hasnt played more this year.. Suualli is definitely a winger and Manu a centre, why tinker with something that doesn’t need tinkering.

The Warriors and Bronx have definitely very well coached this season but I don’t understand what that has to do with us under-delivering.

Tupou was injured, Billy Smith was injured, Suaalii was suspended, Tedesco has played origin and been rested, Manu has been injured and suspended at different times. I’m beginning to think you don’t know what you’re talking about.

You know exactly why I brought up Brisbane and Auckland the so called experts didn’t rate them this year the experts you believe to know everything just because they say it doesn’t mean it’s fact.

[Qld Chook]

Tupou was injured, Billy Smith was injured, Suaalii was suspended, Tedesco has played origin and been rested, Manu has been injured and suspended at different times. I’m beginning to think you don’t know what you’re talking about.

You know exactly why I brought up Brisbane and Auckland the so called experts didn’t rate them this year the experts you believe to know everything just because they say it doesn’t mean it’s fact.

Injuries and suspensions are a part of the game. Hence why it’s so important to pick players in their rightful position when you can.

Obviously it doesn’t mean fact because according to them we should be playing in a GF. But they also aren’t clueless. Did you expect us to be bottom four?

[SamKerrSimp]

Injuries and suspensions are a part of the game. Hence why it’s so important to pick players in their rightful position when you can.

Obviously it doesn’t mean fact because according to them we should be playing in a GF. But they also aren’t clueless. Did you expect us to be bottom four?

So now you’re understanding why certain players haven’t been picked in their “rightful position”

[ARD]

Billy Smith is still questionable. Granted he's played hardly any footy.

I don't think he was too bad defensively? last week but whenever he was running the ball he seemed easily handled by their defense.

Right now Billy doesn’t look like a walk up starter does he - doubtful he owns the spot next year. He plays with enthusiasm but I’m not sure he offers enough to make the spot his own.

[ARD]

Why hasn't Turpin been re-signed yet?

Surely he’s not big enough for you mate?

Good effort player but if he’s the Roosters starting hooker, we aren’t traveling too well. Solid, tough and honest bloke but we should be aiming higher.

[Qld Chook]

Thanks Chook, I agree it's so much better having a proper discussion / debate than the usual slanging matches and put downs that go on in here at times. I agree with you on JS. The experiment went on for way too long. I do think moving Joey to 6 and injuries to Momo and Smith may have contributed to the length of this experiment though. I also agree with you on Hutch. He should only ever play half. I did not understand why he was playing 4 at one point while Joey was 6. They should have been swapped. We'll have to disagree on Walker. Robbo is certainly responsible for these decisions but I think the other external factors plus another year of multiple injuries hasn't helped. But Robbo is certainly under more pressure than he has ever been that's for sure, which is a shame as I am a huge fan. But ultimately the team and results comes first.

I am also a fan of Robbo. He just makes it hard sometimes. I just want to see growth from him, I hope he can do it.

[Qld Chook]

So now you’re understanding why certain players haven’t been picked in their “rightful position”

Are you talking about when we dropped Walker to reserve grade to put our best centre in the halves and were using one of our wingers in the centres?

[bondi.boy]

Surely he’s not big enough for you mate?

Good effort player but if he’s the Roosters starting hooker, we aren’t traveling too well. Solid, tough and honest bloke but we should be aiming higher.

We tried that but Smith is yet to succeed at hooker.
I'd play Radley at hooker and get a bigger forward to replace him.
at lock / 2nd row.
The way our games are refereed, we need to bash, smash, and trash opposition teams into submission with brute strength.
We're a long way from being able to do that.
Turpin is good enough for a contract and doesn't break the bank.