Robbo's pre game press conference today

[milanja]

Ok, since my point didn’t sink in, what about the Storm then? When is their flat period due. Because in 26 years, they have missed the 8 only 3 times! During their history they have made finals 88% of the time and top 4 65% of the time.

And guess what, they get injuries and suspensions and whatever other excuses you want to make up aswell. Good coaching & systems and club standards have been to shown to over ride that.

We have good players, but we are not playing as a good team. To me, that’s on Robbo. Ivan or Craig wouldn’t pass the buck.

In the same period, the storm and the roosters have both won 4 premierships, been runners up 4 times, the roosters have won 5 minor premierships to the storms 4 and the roosters have won more world club challenges 4-3 and the storm have never beaten the roosters in a grand final.

Id take our record over theirs.

[Johnny73]

"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning second."

[Half time]

I took great interest in Trents replies to the Sam Walker questions.

can you let me know what he said and what your take on it was?

[Half time]

That’s me Mate. I go to every game no matter how we are travelling. I’m from Bondi but as I write this I’m sitting on the sand at Broadbeach. Can’t wait to get there in a few hours.

You actually deserve a medal. And I’m not being sarcastic.

[Thirteen]

How good!
Have you been to every Roosters game this year?

Not every game. I have missed three. Sometimes I have an unavoidable work commitment on a Sunday. Sadly work comes first. And annoyingly, some idiots decide to have a wedding on Roosters game day. If it wasn't a sibling I would have told them to go get F....d!

[Thirteen]

You actually deserve a medal. And I’m not being sarcastic.

The bloke that kicked for his memberhship at halftime at the SCG last week deserves a medal. He is from Brisbane and attends most games. Spends most of his hard earned on supporting our team. He's pretty prominent on You Tube with his own show. He also did the "ARE YOU READY" in the Chookpen last week. He's a friend and a very good bloke and a loyal supporter. I'll be seeing him this arvo of course.

[On the Nose]

That’s me Mate. I go to every game no matter how we are travelling. I’m from Bondi but as I write this I’m sitting on the sand at Broadbeach. Can’t wait to get there in a few hours.

Good stuff. I hope we play well and win.

[A Country Member]

can you let me know what he said and what your take on it was?

Have a listen and judge for yourself. Take note of the journalists questions and also Trents facial expressions and movements.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Have a listen and judge for yourself. Take note of the journalists questions and also Trents facial expressions and movements.

It's a complex injury without an easy to identify timeline. He's said that for weeks. I'm guessing it's probably true. He's a kid and they aren't taking chances, esp when the season is likely done. He said he's somewhere between playing next week and being out for the season. He specifically said we'll know more by mid next week. He has tests yesterday so couldn't travel with the team, but will travel to Ipswich tomorrow for more tests during the week, will do some promo work, and be closer to his family.

But, do tell us what you've been able to deduce by Robbo's facial expressions and movements

[Random Rooster]

Funny because Andrew Johns, Phil Gould Greg Alexander and Mal Meninga also said it was a mistake to drop Walker.

Yeah nah....they all said he should have been dropped- Phil Gould actually said it should have been sooner and Johns and Alexander said he will come back better.

[mattyh]

That’s me Mate. I go to every game no matter how we are travelling. I’m from Bondi but as I write this I’m sitting on the sand at Broadbeach. Can’t wait to get there in a few hours.

mate that is so cool, especially when we were travelling well. kudos .

[King Salvo]

Folk on here are pretty harsh in advocating for player and coach sackings without really delving into reasons why the season is not going as they expected.

I don't buy the best squad and premiership favourites tag as a number of here have which obviously have heightened their expectation for a successful season.

Bookies . Journalists and so called experts have their own self interests in nominating a premiership favourite before a ball has been kicked off one has to say.

Punters without monetary interests or agenda's would want to see how teams are traveling at the mid point of the season at least before making a call on who maybe premiership favourites including taking into account form and injuries which of course have an impact of team squads and tests squad depth.

When you break down the Roosters squad into estimated contract groups - i.e those on over 300 k (13 players ) / those also being paid by other clubs (2 players ) - Lodge released / those on 300 k or less (13 players) one thing you would underline is the squads depth.

Very few posters on here rate many if any of the 13 players in the 300 k or less group one has to say - earmarked many of them for the sack - so not sure why they keep banging on that it's the best squad or Coach Robinson has a stacked squad.

The Roosters top 13 players account for an estimated 8.5 million of the cap - the Spine 3.2 Million - Folk would also question the value in paying 1.55 million for 2 centres as how much each position is worth is often debated - wing money / fullback money etc.

I would estimate the Penrith centres would be on approximately 800k combined which would leave 750 k to sign another player or 2.

If that estimate is correct of 8.5 mill for 13 players then that leaves only 3.6 million for the other 17 players to fill the 30 player squad @ 212 k a player (noting the Roosters had 28 now 27 players in their top squad) - Minimum wage is 120 k - not sure if any of the 13 in the 300k and under group would be on that wage though

The salary cap is a balancing act as you need to pay top dollar for key position players and appropriate wages to others whilst also ensuring you have the required depth in your squad to cover injuries and form lapses when forming a competitive squad.

Anyway even with a brief delve into the season all know the form across the board from players has been inconsistent week in week and during games and not at the level they are capable of and injuries have definitely played a part and has tested the depth of the squad.


The top 13 players wage wise collectively were unavailable up to round 20 for 57 or 59 games - Tedesco and Collins missed 3 due to Origin - stand down and rested

For an example Penrith's top 13 have only missed 31 games up to round 20 with 8 of those games due to Origin - stand down and rested

Throw in other players who would be under strong consideration for NRL selection if available or available for selection- Connor Watson - 17 games / Billy Smith - 10 games / Momirovski - 15 games / Lodge - 5 games / E Butcher 2 games / Toia - 17 games

66 games

19 of the 28 player squad now 27 have been unavailable for NRL selection during the season for 103 or 105 games


17 Games played

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

1. Nat Butcher - 15 games - 400 k - Unavailable for 2 games
2. Lindsay Collins - 16 games 700 k - Unavailable for 1 game
3. Angus Crichton - 9 games - 600 k - Unavailable for 8 games
4. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves - 13 games - 700 k - Unavailable for 4 games
5. Luke Keary - 17 games - 800 k
6. Joseph Manu - 14 games - 800 k - Unavailable for 3 games
7. Victor Radley - 13 games - 600 k - Unavailable for 4 games
8. Brandon Smith - 12 games - 800 k - Unavailable for 5 games
9. Joseph Suaalii - 13 games - 750k - Unavailable for 4 games
10. James Tedesco - 14 games - 1.1 mil - Unavailable for 3 games
11. Daniel Tupou - 12 games - 400 k - Unavailable for 5 games
12. Sitili Tupouniua - 8 games - 400 k - Unavailable for 9 games
13. Sam Walker - 6 games - 500 k - Unavailable for 11 games or 9 if you deduct the 2 NSW Cup games he played before being injured

Games played 162 out of 221

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

1. Nathan Brown - 7 games
2. Matt Lodge - 9 games - Missed 5 or so games through injury before released

Players on 300 k and Under - 13 players

1. Watson - 0 games - Unavailable for 17 games
2. Momirovski - 2 games - Unavailable for 15 games
3. Baker - 7 games
4. Turpin - 13 games
5. E Butcher - 15 games - Unavailable for 2 games
6. Allan - 9 games
7. Whyte - 8 games
8. Paulo - 11 games
9. Wong - 2 games
10. Hutchinator - 14 games
11. Billy Smith - 7 games - Unavailable for 10 games
12. May - 8 games
13. Toia - 0 games - Unavailable for 17 games