So who is the 6 to take us forward?

[FREEMAN89]

6. Walker (Free flowing)
7. Sandon (Organiser)

sure we’ll suffer a little short term, but it’s not different to what we’re dishing up atm and atleast those boys are creative and put in week to week.

my only concern would be their size pairing.

[Rooster_6]

They still manage to score enough points to win. Defence alone doesn’t win premierships!

The 6 again rule has made it impossible to win games 6-0.
Those days are gone!

I think the effect of the 6 again in its current iteration is over-stated and has minimal impact on the current games. I think it’s outdated analysis that needs to be re-thought.

And yes don’t get me wrong Penrith are capable of scoring plenty of points but it’s their defence that’s setting them apart, there are plenty of sides who can score points in the league. Hell we scored as many points as Penrith in the Home & Away season last year…

[Bates]

I think the effect of the 6 again in its current iteration is over-stated and has minimal impact on the current games. I think it’s outdated analysis that needs to be re-thought.

And yes don’t get me wrong Penrith are capable of scoring plenty of points but it’s their defence that’s setting them apart, there are plenty of sides who can score points in the league. Hell we scored as many points as Penrith in the Home & Away season last year…

It’s effected us quite significantly. Look at our results since it’s inception.

Robbo has yet to have success under the 6 again rule,

[Rooster_6]

It’s effected us quite significantly. Look at our results since it’s inception.

Robbo has yet to have success under the 6 again rule,

I disagree, I think Robinson did a really good job in 2021 when the impact of the 6 again was at its peak. We have struggled more in 2022 and 2023 when rucks started to become more normalised.

I think we made a mistake buying Brandon Smith coming off the back of that 2021 season where he won the Dally M because his running game and speed around the ruck was lethal during that time. Since then the rucks have gone back to pre-covid normality and his effectiveness has deteriorated.

[Johnny73]

Size is irrelevant. The best halves combo of the 90's in Kevvie and Alfie were 1.7 and 1.65 metres respectively. Sandon Smith and Sam Walker are both taller than them. Beef Walker up a bit and he'll make a great 5/8th.

[On the Nose]

I disagree the Panthers are winning Premierships on the back of their defence. 2021 was almost exclusively on the back of their defence as their attack had fallen away dramatically.

Panthers are winning on smart defence not the heavy hitting defence that we play. Panthers recent big hitters were RCG & Lenui & Martin to a lesser degree. Name the big hitters in any of top 4 sides? NAF is the size of a house and drags the opposition to the ground. No one in the Storm hits hard. They used to have Kafusi but he is too 2019 (injured/ penalised or suspended- ring any bells?)It is all about dragging the player down and turning them over. Last night JWH put the big hit on Hass, then puffed out his chest. The next time they faced off no big hit from Haas, he just dragged JWH down and got on with it. Haas was playing/coached to win the game. We are so 2019. And we are going to stay 2019 based on our recent recruits (unless the NRL returns to allowing strong defence, like the later half of last year).

[Funky Chicken]

Bring back Sean O’Sullivan and punt Walker. Player swap?

Fark No!!! Whilst I respect your opinion, SOS is dead set bog average (and seems like a bit of a flog) and would take us nowhere. Sammy is our future, and I hope he plays his whole career with the Roosters!!

[Rooster_6]

Panthers are winning on smart defence not the heavy hitting defence that we play. Panthers recent big hitters were RCG & Lenui & Martin to a lesser degree. Name the big hitters in any of top 4 sides? NAF is the size of a house and drags the opposition to the ground. No one in the Storm hits hard. They used to have Kafusi but he is too 2019 (injured/ penalised or suspended- ring any bells?)It is all about dragging the player down and turning them over. Last night JWH put the big hit on Hass, then puffed out his chest. The next time they faced off no big hit from Haas, he just dragged JWH down and got on with it. Haas was playing/coached to win the game. We are so 2019. And we are going to stay 2019 based on our recent recruits (unless the NRL returns to allowing strong defence, like the later half of last year).

You need to tune into some Panthers games if you think they’re not hitting heavy.

They’re hitting heavy and driving teams back, it’s certainly smart but it’s not the wrestling and drag to the ground you’re making it out to be.

[ism22]

I've decided that it's time to dust off the boots. Used to be a FB / back rower (depending on the grade) but figure I can always transition. Looking forward to all the love and respect when I kick us to a premiership in 2024.

[FlamingRooster]

I do like Sandon Smith. He makes mistakes but thats expected from a 20 year old. I think we need to internally develop our next half. It's all fun and games to throw around names like Dearden or Burton but that is exceptionally unlikely to happen. We've got a young kid coming through called Tia who's a big body - has played one NSW cup game and is a goalkicker, and Toby Rodwell has high reputation. The alternative is we end up signing the next young wonderkid like Walker, Suaalii or Ponga, chuck Manu/ keep Keary in that position for a year or two. We're going through a "rebuild" atm, our team is just heading up there in age. Sometimes we can fast-track this rebuild or we might have to wait it out.

[Qld Chook]

Just throwing it out there because I knew a few had wraps on him.. what about Ronnie Volkman? The warriors have a heap of depth in the halves next year so he seems to have fell down the pecking order (SJ, Metcalf, Harris-Tevita, Te Maire Martin). Haven’t watched enough of him personally to make a call myself.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Talatau Amone is off contract end of 2024. A bigger body, good skillset and potential, comes cheaper than some other options. I would consider him.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

We have a quality 6 and 7 in Keary and Walker, and I hope we get Dearden in 2025, but
no halves combination is going to succeed unless if is behind a dominant forward pack
Butcher 1 and 2 are not strike forwards, just solid back ups, with a big ???? over butcher 2.
Angus is past his best and should review his options
Sitili.... needs to get back to full strength.
hopefully Whyte, Wong or MAYBE....someone else coming through will fill the void

[Qld Chook]

We have a quality 6 and 7 in Keary and Walker, and I hope we get Dearden in 2025, but
no halves combination is going to succeed unless if is behind a dominant forward pack
Butcher 1 and 2 are not strike forwards, just solid back ups, with a big ???? over butcher 2.
Angus is past his best and should review his options
Sitili.... needs to get back to full strength.
hopefully Whyte, Wong or MAYBE....someone else coming through will fill the void

I can’t see the Cows letting Dearden go, think us getting him is a bit of a fantasy tbh.

Agree some hard calls are needed. Both Butchers are middles in my eyes. Angus needs a massive 2024 year or unfortunately he would have to go. Whyte & Wong have potential and if developed well, I hope to see them have long careers in roosters colours. I like Sitili, needs a good run without injury. We are looking light depth wise next year. Hopefully we can offload Suualli to fix that.

[night_shadow]

I can’t see the Cows letting Dearden go, think us getting him is a bit of a fantasy tbh.

Agree some hard calls are needed. Both Butchers are middles in my eyes. Angus needs a massive 2024 year or unfortunately he would have to go. Whyte & Wong have potential and if developed well, I hope to see them have long careers in roosters colours. I like Sitili, needs a good run without injury. We are looking light depth wise next year. Hopefully we can offload Suualli to fix that.

They might not want to let him go but money talks.

Start negotiating a year early so we can poach him for 2025, the same time that Keary will retire.

The money is also there given the experienced players who are finishing up (Keary, JWH, and Angus possibly).

Even if we pay overs, his young age will make it a good long-term investment instead of one of these short-term fixes who are over the hill.

EDIT: Cowboys are prepared to make him a 3-year deal worth $2m. Our time to strike is NOW!