Which of our Players will be gone by 2024?

[FlamingRooster]

Sitili when fit is in our top 3 second rowers to choose from. I’d even argue top 2. Nat a tackling machine but offers hardly anything in attack compared to what Sitili does. Egan??? I’ll hold my tongue. Crichton? That guy is on double the money for half the performance. I’d be very happy if he went to Union because it would free up a substantial amount in the cap - which we can use to re-sign players such as May, Whyte, Wong etc. Prior to injury, Sitili was starting games and firing. Not sure what you’ve been watching at all. Maybe you think he’s been available to be picked the past few games and just no been chosen. He’s been out for the last 3 months with a disk problem.

I don't want Egan hence the somehow... Robbo loves him. Personally I'd take Nat over Sitili, and to say he doesn't offer anything in attack is ridiculous. Just because he's not a metre eater doesn't mean everything. Runs some of the best lines in the NRL whether as a decoy or hitting the line. Sitili whilst also a great tackler struggles to read the offence at times and has on more than one occasion left his half or centre with too big a job. If Crichton is staying and he's firing you're not putting Sitili over him either, and if you are you're completely off the mark. As for Wong, he's a future superstar, and I'd argue has already cemented himself within the 17, can't drop him. Whyte to a lesser extent but in the same idea as Wong- he's 21, Sitili is 26. So pray tell, who would you put him over? I try and watch 4-5 games per week of NRL, was very aware he was injured. Sitili is a good player and I said he might go because he most definitely gets into almost every team.

[FlamingRooster]

Problem is there's no genuine left edge player in our side, since Cordner we haven't had a edge back rower with a left hand carry who naturally fits that role. Crichton was seriously top tier in that role in the back half of last season but seems to have regressed again this year.

I can see Wong & Tupouniua sharing that right edge role next year, it's not typical of Robinson as he likes 80min edge backrowers but given both have the versatility to play in the middle as well, Tupouniua is returning from 2 serious injuries and Wong is only starting his career I could see him doing it.

The question is who plays left edge.

Crichton definitely a left edge, and Wong no slouch there. Crichton has been up and down, but for me it's definitely been more the former. Post contact metre monster, great defender and heart on his sleeve. It's a shame he had his issues this season, but the last few games prior to the Storm game he was massive for us. I like Sitili, I think he's quality - for me better suited to the bench simply because I think his playstyle is better for running at tired legs. I simply based on context and ages of those he's competing with don't see him in our 17 next year. Crichton and Nat better for me. Whilst he is better than Wong, Whyte and most definitely Egan Butcher, I reckon they'll be given more chances due to their age, and Robbo's project with Egan Butcher.

[JAF]

Problem is there's no genuine left edge player in our side, since Cordner we haven't had a edge back rower with a left hand carry who naturally fits that role. Crichton was seriously top tier in that role in the back half of last season but seems to have regressed again this year.

I can see Wong & Tupouniua sharing that right edge role next year, it's not typical of Robinson as he likes 80min edge backrowers but given both have the versatility to play in the middle as well, Tupouniua is returning from 2 serious injuries and Wong is only starting his career I could see him doing it.

The question is who plays left edge.

I'd leave Nat Butcher there.
A tackling machine and starting to use his great offload ...

[Chook2]

With lodge, baker, Paulo, hutch and turps gone
all but lodge were not in our main 17 but good back up

I can’t see us keeping both Suaali and critchon, think one will be def gone maybe both as I can’t see them re signed beyond next year and Suaali wont be in our top 17, and if Gus not get back to best maybe not him either

if They both go next year does this give us $1.4 m in the kitty for next season?

if we do re sign Allen or brown they will need to take a big pay cut as they will only be res players

happy for Momo to be passed in

now with may coming along we have 4 good props

this makes the back row harder to pick as there may only be 4 and not 5 out or rhe 7 we have picked
Gus, Sitili, radley, butcher x 2, Whyte and Wong all fighting for 3 starting spots and 1-2 bench spots
if Gus and sitili get back to best form hard to see butcher x 2 in rhe 17 along with Whyte atm

wong
gus / sitili
radley
sitili / Gus on bench

a good problem to have as this will force players to play well each game

[Rooster_6]

I'd leave Nat Butcher there.
A tackling machine and starting to use his great offload ...

I think we need to increase our attacking output and if Nat Butcher is our first choice 2nd rower we are not being ambitious enough.

And that's not a shot at Nat Butcher, I'm a huge fan of his and he would be my starting front rower alongside Collins next season but I think we need to create more points and our edge backrowers just didn't contribute enough this year to our ability to put points on the board.

N Butcher with 7 try involvements in 24 games
E Butcher with 4 try involvements in 21 games
Siua Wong with 3 try involvements in 10 games
Tupouniua with 2 try involvements in 8 games
Crichton with 1 try involvement in 13 games

[Steggles]

I think we need to increase our attacking output and if Nat Butcher is our first choice 2nd rower we are not being ambitious enough.

And that's not a shot at Nat Butcher, I'm a huge fan of his and he would be my starting front rower alongside Collins next season but I think we need to create more points and our edge backrowers just didn't contribute enough this year to our ability to put points on the board.

N Butcher with 7 try involvements in 24 games
E Butcher with 4 try involvements in 21 games
Siua Wong with 3 try involvements in 10 games
Tupouniua with 2 try involvements in 8 games
Crichton with 1 try involvement in 13 games

I agree with this comment. Sitili and Wong as a starting 2nd rowers for me and Angus off the bench if he’s going ok. If we have all players to select from, neither Nat or Egan are in the top 17. The Butchers have benefited enormously from injury/suspension over the last couple of years.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

you'd think we'll offload a 3/4. we've got toops, smith, manu, suaalii and young and momo with good back up with pauga and allan if he stays

how many did we have available for the last game?
we need at least 14 players to cover 7 backline spots from half to fullback

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I think we need to increase our attacking output and if Nat Butcher is our first choice 2nd rower we are not being ambitious enough.

And that's not a shot at Nat Butcher, I'm a huge fan of his and he would be my starting front rower alongside Collins next season but I think we need to create more points and our edge backrowers just didn't contribute enough this year to our ability to put points on the board.

N Butcher with 7 try involvements in 24 games
E Butcher with 4 try involvements in 21 games
Siua Wong with 3 try involvements in 10 games
Tupouniua with 2 try involvements in 8 games
Crichton with 1 try involvement in 13 games

I think so called TRY INVOLVEMENTS is a very simplistic way to measure the value of a back rower.

[Lydon]

If I had to choose,Nat Butcher would be one of my starting props week in week out!

Also even though Angus has had his issues this year on and off the field,I would still take him over Egan Butcher any day!

Angus has way more impact!

[King Salvo]

With lodge, baker, Paulo, hutch and turps gone
all but lodge were not in our main 17 but good back up

I can’t see us keeping both Suaali and critchon, think one will be def gone maybe both as I can’t see them re signed beyond next year and Suaali wont be in our top 17, and if Gus not get back to best maybe not him either

if They both go next year does this give us $1.4 m in the kitty for next season?

if we do re sign Allen or brown they will need to take a big pay cut as they will only be res players

happy for Momo to be passed in

now with may coming along we have 4 good props

this makes the back row harder to pick as there may only be 4 and not 5 out or rhe 7 we have picked
Gus, Sitili, radley, butcher x 2, Whyte and Wong all fighting for 3 starting spots and 1-2 bench spots
if Gus and sitili get back to best form hard to see butcher x 2 in rhe 17 along with Whyte atm

wong
gus / sitili
radley
sitili / Gus on bench

a good problem to have as this will force players to play well each game

With the much despised Mercurial Hutchinator leaving, I need another player or players to give a nickname too that puts this site into meltdown and posters tossing toys out of their cots whenever their name is mentioned and they play.

Candidates for 2024 so far

E Butcher
Momirovski
N Butcher
Suaalii
Radley
Keary
Brandon Smith
Billy Smith
Crichton

[Rooster_6]

I think so called TRY INVOLVEMENTS is a very simplistic way to measure the value of a back rower.

I wasn't trying to value a backrower exclusively on try involvements.

[Rooster_6]

If I had to choose,Nat Butcher would be one of my starting props week in week out!

Also even though Angus has had his issues this year on and off the field,I would still take him over Egan Butcher any day!

Angus has way more impact!

I tend to agree with both points but I think Angus is such a huge gamble, he was so disappointing in the 2nd row against Melbourne after he had 2 great games as a middle forward against Souths & Cronulla. But at least he's been there and done it before, just depends what mindset he comes into the 2024 season with.

[King Salvo]

I think we need to increase our attacking output and if Nat Butcher is our first choice 2nd rower we are not being ambitious enough.

And that's not a shot at Nat Butcher, I'm a huge fan of his and he would be my starting front rower alongside Collins next season but I think we need to create more points and our edge backrowers just didn't contribute enough this year to our ability to put points on the board.

N Butcher with 7 try involvements in 24 games
E Butcher with 4 try involvements in 21 games
Siua Wong with 3 try involvements in 10 games
Tupouniua with 2 try involvements in 8 games
Crichton with 1 try involvement in 13 games

Do you have the stats for other comparable back rowers from other teams

These figures could also be because of the lack of support from other players for the ball carrier to progress the play and the way Coach Robinson wants them to play.

I remember a couple of times vs. Storm where N Butcher turned in the tackle looking for support and no other players were there. - same with other players during the game, which was not a one-off occurrence just in this game; it happened throughout the season with the lack of support for the ball carrier.

The Boyd Cordner all or nothing one out charge at the line has well and truly had it's day - Ultimately contributed to Boyd's early retirement with the multiple head knocks he took in this play.

Ball carriers need players in support as options and also ball playing and offloading skills.

Way too easy in D for the opposition in defending one out runs by ball carriers compared to runs by ball carriers who have other players in support. - Has the D in two minds

The Roosters were never a high offloading side, although it has somewhat improved. The season average was 9; the Storm game of 17 offloads was a season high.

The Roosters need to work on upskilling the players in ball-playing, offloading, and support play, among other things.

Of course, another thing overlooked is that neither of the halves in Walker and Keary engage the line near enough as an organising half would, with both being running halves.

[Lydon]

I tend to agree with both points but I think Angus is such a huge gamble, he was so disappointing in the 2nd row against Melbourne after he had 2 great games as a middle forward against Souths & Cronulla. But at least he's been there and done it before, just depends what mindset he comes into the 2024 season with.

Yes agreed..

I just think in terms of talent he is worth persisting with,depending as you say on his mindset pre 2024..

I’ve read a few supporters on here comparing Siua Wong’s game to a young Boyd Cordner,I feel Angus is more comparable ( though more experienced) to Boyd when it comes to his hole running close to the line..

Interesting to see what happens next year.

[Bates]

With the much despised Mercurial Hutchinator leaving, I need another player or players to give a nickname too that puts this site into meltdown and posters tossing toys out of their cots whenever their name is mentioned and they play.

Candidates for 2024 so far

E Butcher
Momirovski
N Butcher
Suaalii
Radley
Keary
Brandon Smith
Billy Smith
Crichton

E Butchernator fits the bill.