Why we can still pull off the unthinkable and win on Friday

[HunchoRooster]

I am not confident with all the injuries. Bad luck has robbed us again. If we were at full strength, I'd be backing us to make a push for an unlikely premiership. We have captured lightning in a bottle at the right time yet again. The injuries have dudded us though. Not sure who would be available against Penriff if we miraculously beat the Storm anyway. Those prix coming off a 2-week rest would likely put 50 on us in a prelim.

[Headless Chook]

I'm a realist when it comes to the chooks, I have been pretty confident heading into all our recent games, but I'm very edgy on this one. If we had Joe and Billy I would have been confident but we won't have much strike out wide now. I'm just hoping they don't rush Toups back. I love the guy but he has a history of struggling when coming back from injury.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Surely you can't lose your ENTIRE three-quarter line and expect to win a semi final away against Melbourne- it's not possible, is it?? If it happens ill declare it the best victory ive ever seen in the last 40 years

That's about the size of it mate.

Its a real shame as we are mentally in the zone right now.

Really admire the stoicism of some of our fans on here though, it's refreshing.

But could any team lose both centres and wingers and still pick off a semi final against a vengeful Storm? I doubt it.

[Carlos Parra]

I'm just waiting for Clutchison to smoothly shift through those gears and do them slowly in the process.

Just like how DJ Jizzy woulda done a job ob the dance-floor with his decks and psy-trance records (and maybe a few cups of cranberry juice) back in the day, old mate clutcho's gonna be controlling the game with his little gear stick throbbing around the place... breaking lotsa opposition hearts in the process no doubt

Not gonna happen.

[Teddy]

We were written off 7 weeks ago, all the pressure is on Melbourne, they were utterly flogged in Brisbane.
Easts on the other hand have nothing to lose, when you have nothing to lose then there is no more dangerous team to play against.
A historic and unfathomable Prelim awaits think Manly 2013 getting through to GF knocking Souffs out think 8th place cowboys in 2017 making the 8 in very similar circumstances to us with no Thurston who was injured.
I know this is a very very long shot but my god it’s good to dream.

GO EASTS!!!

[OMR]

Unfortunately I’m not getting the vibe.
Melbourne win for sure.

Is your interest waning due to the absence of the toothless ones?

[The Marshall]

I hope we can do it but my rational brain kicks and says the storm usually bounce back after a bad game, we are cursed with injuries and away. Then the hope starts again and then………..self torture

[King Salvo]

The Roosters will need to bring their A-grade D game, as one may expect them not to score many points, so whatever points they score, they will need to defend.

Certainly will need to convert any point scoring opportunities they create.

They will also need to improve on yardage made in possession, as vs. the Sharks, the average set distance was 38.76 metres, as neither Keary nor Walker have distance kicking games to kick the team out of trouble.

Need to focus on high set completions, low errors, penalties, and set restarts conceded as well.

[The Corner Post]

My strategy would be as follows:

- Pick the best defensive players in centre / wing.
- The Storm will try and go around us to exploit our missing players on the edges.
- Double down through the middle.
- Roll our forwards through the middle
- Teddy stalking through the middle
- The Cheese running through the middle
- Rads running through the middle (maybe some late game ball playing)
- Save our backs for tackle 1 and 2 cartage and hard kick chase

Robbo, blink three times at the pre game interview if you're getting this message!

[HDTONE]

I hope we can do an upset, but head says....very tricky.

We're in a corner and need to punch our way out, but the Drizzle are expected to smack us in front of their home crowd. Maybe it won't be as easy as all the experts think. they have far more to lose than us so they have the most pressure.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

My strategy would be as follows:

- Pick the best defensive players in centre / wing.
- The Storm will try and go around us to exploit our missing players on the edges.
- Double down through the middle.
- Roll our forwards through the middle
- Teddy stalking through the middle
- The Cheese running through the middle
- Rads running through the middle (maybe some late game ball playing)
- Save our backs for tackle 1 and 2 cartage and hard kick chase

Robbo, blink three times at the pre game interview if you're getting this message!

That's kind of an expanded version of what I was saying TCP.

I don't want to see Paulo or Hutch named in those centre/wing positions though...we'll see what Robbo delivers in a few hours.

[Water boy]

If we can win on Friday, it will be the greatest win against the odds in Roosters history.

If then we can go on to beat Penrith, it will be the greatest win against the odds in Australian sporting history.

If then we go on to win the comp, there'll still be people on this forum complaining about Robbo.

if my aunty had balls shed be my uncle

[John Corey]

1. We have a 2-1 finals record against the Storm

2. We are running in to the game with better form, and we've been winning (Sharks game excepted) by bigger margins on average of late compared to the Storm

3. Out tackle efficiency is better than the Storm's, and our Bondi wall is back thanks to Cords and Friendy behind the scenes.

4. We are playing with more passion and desperation than the Storm have been of late.

5. Melbourne's home ground is not an intimidating cauldron like Suncorp or Brookvale or Penrith stadium. Just full of Melbournians sipping on Merlot, half of whom are AFL fans and don't even know what the fk they are watching.

6. Average points conceded per game this year is about the same for both teams.

7. Our play the ball is statistically quicker overall.

8. Our pack - especially Collins, Wong, May, Cheese - are on fire, and really dominating. Rads, Angus, Nat and Baker are playing red hot too. Our pack is likely to get us into plenty of forward momentum and good field position. It'll just come down to Keary and Walker to work some magic to get our 'Teddy Bears' in the 1-5 into space.

You didn't mention that whenever we go down there we play like a busted $#%@

[dice]

if my aunty had balls shed be my uncle

In 2023 your aunty doesn't need balls to identify as your uncle.

[Mickie Lane]

Is your interest waning due to the absence of the toothless ones?

I’m on the Bronx champ & have been since rd 3.