SQUAD v SOUTHS

[DP1990]

I’ve been one of Crichton’s harshest critics over the years but I genuinely thought he was great in the 2nd row last year and was finally starting to understand the positional requirements of the position and how he fit into that. He’s also been surprisingly good at rep level as a middle forward off the bench, it’s a role for a long time I thought was his best position as he had played quite well for us there too when Robinson played him in the middle.

None of that really answers my original question though, what makes it favouritism vs philosophy. There are a lot of coaches in a lot of sports around the world who would pick the player who’s been there and done it before regardless of form.

I would pick Whyte, but I also give Robinson more credit than to believe it’s just a favouritism thing because you can track it throughout his whole career where he has consistently picked players he’s seen do it before over players who are in better form.

Let's just hope for the team's sake and especially Gus that his head is in the right place and he's not zoned out whilst playing ... an experienced player that Gus is could turn out to be a liability.

I don't buy the whole favouritism angle either but perhaps the "loyalty/pick and stick" factor could be what is at play here

[A Country Member]

Penalties Conceded Stats under Coach Robinson

• * 2013 - 226 (1)
• 2014 - 196 (1)
• 2015 - 172 (5)
• 2016 - 155 (14)
• 2017 - 165 (6)
• * 2018 - 221 (5)
• * 2019 - 193 (2)
• 2020 - 119 (3) - ( 20 game regular season)
• 2021 - 132 (1)
• 2022 - 159 (3)
• 2023 - 150 (1)

* Premiership Years

Ahh yes, wasn’t that 2016 season where they finally played disciplined footy one to remember?

[Mickie Lane]

Braith Anasta was asked last night on NRL360 who he will be going for this Friday night & he answered "I couldn't go for Souths"
Classic.

[A Country Member]

Braith Anasta was asked last night on NRL360 who he will be going for this Friday night & he answered "I couldn't go for Souths"
Classic.

Braith Anasta’s wallet agrees

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Souths $1.66
Easts $2.23

Some solid money coming for Souths now. Hope there aren't any more late scratchings to come.

[Lydon]

Souths $1.66
Easts $2.23

Some solid money coming for Souths now. Hope there aren't any more late scratchings to come.

Their is always an unwanted surprise with the super coach,so you never know..

[Waylander]

Roosters spine to put backbone in last ditch finals push

Roosters coach Trent Robinson is expecting his side to find another gear when they unleash their first-choice spine for the first time in over four months on Friday.

After missing last week with a head knock, fullback and captain James Tedesco is set to reunite with halves Luke Keary and Sam Walker along with hooker Brandon Smith for the first time since Round 7, with injury and selection dramas consistently disrupting the quartet for the majority of the season.

And despite the huge blow in losing strike centre Joey Manu to a hamstring injury, Robinson is confident things have clicked at the right time for the Sydney club ahead of their must-win match with the Rabbitohs.

“The cohesion there is important. They’ve spent a lot of time together since Brandon came in over the course of the year and we haven’t been able to play consistently with them,” Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.

“Naturally, Brandon had a longer term injury and then Sam as well so that would have been better if it was earlier but we are where we are.

“We’re confident in the we have adapted quite quickly to some things that have come in.

“I felt like it was the right time to get Sammy [after] four months out a couple of games under his belt in a short amount of time and then a better performance.

“And then he walked back in last week and really performed well and also communicated well as well. So let’s go up a gear tomorrow.”

The 21-year-old five-eighth has been a hot topic this season, having dropped down to reserve grade before injuring his knee early in the season.

The Roosters played with a new confidence against the Wests Tigers on Saturday, with reunited halves pairing Walker and Keary combining for one try, two assists and five tackle breaks in the 32-8 victory.

“Sammy coming back in as a new combination, he adapted to that style of play really quickly because it’s natural to him. So I feel like our system, we’ve been working on that all year," Robinson said of Walker's return.

“But we’ve also played a bit more off the cuff the last month and there’s going to be no difference tomorrow.”

History shows their bitter rivalry with the Rabbitohs doesn’t need any extra motivation, but with their season on the line, Robinson knows the occasion which awaits the Roosters at Accor Stadium on Friday.

A -38 points differential means the Tricolours must beat their arch rivals and then likely rely on the Raiders and Cowboys losing to the Sharks and Panthers to ensure they secure a place in next week's finals.

“There’s been a lot of discussion around it. We’re excited by it but we could be playing Camden Rams this week for a spot in the finals and it wouldn’t make any difference as far as opposition,” he said.

"The prize has been pretty clear for us as far as the last month. Whoever is in front of us, we need to keep playing our best footy and keep winning games.

“There’s no difference tomorrow night. It just happens to be a great story and rivalry. But a lot of that has been external, we have been really clear about how we need to play.

“Four weeks ago we knew if we didn’t get the game done it was over for us and there’s no difference going in this week. There’s an excitement and a purity to these games and we want to attack that.”

https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/08/31/...h-finals-push/

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

This is exactly why the criticism of Robbo on this forum and outside has been warranted. A perfect example of player favouritism when there is no shadow of a doubt Whyte has outplayed him and deserves his place.

One's a current international, one has played a handful of first grade games. You bag the coach for picking the current international? There is little or no hope for you mate.

[Roosterfarian]

One's a current international, one has played a handful of first grade games. You bag the coach for picking the current international? There is little or no hope for you mate.

Any need for the abuse again? You have some serious issues. All you do is abuse every single forum member just because you don't agree with their opinion.

Admin - this guy clearly hasn't learnt his lesson.

[zac]

surprised the money's favouring souths. they're without mitchell and burgess and aren't in form

[Jacks Fur Coat]

surprised the money's favouring souths. they're without mitchell and burgess and aren't in form

Maybe the bounce back factor after them getting smashed in the media, and the fact our winning form has been against "lesser" teams.

But yes if you took the last months form as a barometer we would be clear faves.

[Kokoras]

surprised the money's favouring souths. they're without mitchell and burgess and aren't in form

You would think they are due, hopefully not. There bench worries me a bit.

[nayfo]

surprised the money's favouring souths. they're without mitchell and burgess and aren't in form

I’m with you. Even with Manu out, once I compare players in each position the Roosters favourably still come out on top.

[Waylander]

Toops ruled out with a PCL injury in training. Pauga named in his place.

Bugger it.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

This might explain the big market push for Souths...that will make things tougher for us now, stating the obvious.