Still not feeling it

[zac]

we've got a good team and if we have a good run with injuries we'll be in the mix. too soon to know for certain how far we'll go but we've got a realistic chance of winning the comp

[Waylander]

I have an excellent feeling about this season, which I haven't had for a few. You can over think and over analyse and consider depth in every position and drive yourself and everyone else mad about stuff that will unlikely matter or make a difference. Or you can take a bigger picture view.

Our pack is building beautifully.

Lindsay will improve even further already bordering on best prop in the comp. Jared had that mantle for years, still has in my mind, will play his 300th and still capable on any given day of dominating any other pack. Highly likely Brandon Smith has a much, much better year at 9. Nat Butcher will have another great season and at some point play origin. A fit and apparently ready to prove a point Angus. Victor. May. Sitili back from injury. Egan Butcher could well have a great season and become a big deal.

But then for mine in the forwards, the real point of difference we have and the reason to be upbeat are; Wong, Whyte and Leniu

Both Wong and Whyte are out and out freaks who could be anything. Wong gets more press, but I watched Whyte closely last season and he is something else. We have them both. And we have them at the time they are making their names in the game and starting out, and are relatively inexpensive, compared to the salaries they will command later, which will be eye watering.

Then there's Leniu. Aggressive, a beast, wanting to become a starting player, with a point to prove. Moves super well and will prove to be a sensational signing.

Then behind that pack, we have Sam Walker, another freak of a player, who is a year older and a year heavier. And Keary. And Teddy.

Byes much later in the season rounds 14/19/23 (last season they were in rounds 4/9/13)

Many reasons to be upbeat imo

Not to mention the size and strength in the 3/4's. Regardless of which 4 out of Toops, Smith, Manu, Suualii or Young play, our 3/4 line averages around 195cms and 102kgs. That should be enough to make even BB happy.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Bring on the footy.... can't wait for today's trail

[King Salvo]

The season hasn't started yet, and it's a tad premature to be writing them off before a ball has been kicked.

Penrith will again be the bench mark, and other teams have bolstered their squads, so there will be no easy games.

The Roosters just need to concentrate on their own game and improve on things they can control, such as possession percentage, set completions, discipline, offence, and defence.

[John Corey]

As usual, it is all about injuries and suspensions.

If we get a decent run at those, then we are a chance.

[roosterchook]

In my humble opinion

BIGGEST PLUSSES:

Prop Rotation - Collins, JWH, Leinu and May. Thats a fairly imposing set, and will be a nightmare for oppositions. Let's hope JWH can keep his temper in check, as last year he was becoming a big liability in this regard.

The 3/4 - Smith, Toops, Manu, Young, Suualii. Any other team would sell a kidney to have the talent we'll have at our disposal this year. Hoping the coaching staff can get them sorted out into consistent positions/roles.

The halves - long kicking aside (which will be a peripheral issue if our forwards and 3/4 do the yardage game well) Keary and Walker have all the tricks in the book to rack up points and close out games. Keary is the steady hand, been there and done that and with a great temprament for leadership. This is the year Walker will really mature...he'll pull in a few of the more speculative options, but the one's he'll make will count.


BIGGEST CONCERNS:

Teddy - has lost a lot of pace, and appears not to be capable of the electric plays we've seen from him in the past. I have no doubt he'll be very good still, but the days of him winning games single handedly are in all likelihood gone. Hoping his playmaking has been worked on in the off-season, because the solo running ball-hog routine just ain't gonna work any more. I still have questions as to whether he is best suited to captaincy over a couple of others in the team, but happy to give benefit of the doubt for now.

Rake - I do hope it is Sandon Smith off the bench, because it is to our large detriment to have Watson or Dockar Clay doing the bench hooker role. Even so, Sandon is not a specialist in the role. Moriaty is still green and unproven. Smith (Brandon) is in my opinion a better No.13 than a hooker. His darts from dummy half are exceptional, but his service isn't.

Our temprament on field - For over a year now, starting with the loss to Souffs in Sept 2022, our on-field play has been peppered with a lot of instances of players losing their heads, getting baited easily, players having a go at others on field instead of being supportive, and just generally not feeling like a close squad. I would like to believe that Lodge was the sole reason behind the discontent, but if not I hope the leadership team has regrouped and got everyone pulling together as a unit.

My take this year and for the past few years is that we’ve been falling behind the pack. First the rule changes we have never adapted too then the loss of Cords, Aubs, Friend and Cronk. Add to that some very incompetent coaching and our lack of cohesion and inability to complete sets. Then our suspensions. When was the last time we began a season suspension free? Ball handling terrible. Penalties conceded.

But another element which cannot be ignored is that other teams are buying up and improving their roster. So each year while other teams have been on the improve , the roosters have been on a decline. I think this factor alone, other teams improving, might have us even further struggling and declining this year. I think we’ll struggle to make the 8 . Not to mention aging players vs more younger and fitter sides. So for this year I’m thinking 7th-9th. Hopefully I’m very wrong.

[roosterchook]

we've got a good team and if we have a good run with injuries we'll be in the mix. too soon to know for certain how far we'll go but we've got a realistic chance of winning the comp

You’re joking right? Our roster has us declining each year. Last season we struggled to miraculously make the top 8. We get whitewashed by the top teams and even lower teams. And today our top team struggled badly to put away Manly’s C grade team while their 1sts were watching in the stands. If that’s all we’ve got then lucky if we make the top 8 again. Many other teams have strengthened their roster in the off season while we have basically the same team that got thrashed many times last year. No way we can win the comp not this or next year. There are just way too many better teams out there. I love my roosters but they are nowhere near premiership material.

[theGman]

The Roosters just need to concentrate on their own game and improve on things they can control, such as possession percentage, set completions, discipline, offence, and defence.

Very philosophical King.

Im also of the opinion that the team that scores the most points will likely win the game

[BondiBob]

the Teddy pace thing was a real concern.
I wrote about it last year when I was concerned he was carrying a disc injury in his low back.

he did look better in the last third of the season, so I’m guessing they changed up his treatment

Teddy is still playing under 8s football he needs to get the ball wider from the ruck and pass the bloody thing

[King Salvo]

Very philosophical King.

Im also of the opinion that the team that scores the most points will likely win the game

It's pretty obvious as I said regarding things they can control - You win comps with Penrith's stats but won't with the Roosters

Roosters 2023

• Possession % - 17th (47%)
• Set Completions - 17th (75%)
• Penalties conceded - 2nd
• Errors - 2nd
• Attack - 15th (472)
• Defence - 6th (496)

Penrith 2023

• Possession % - 1st (54%)
• Set Completions - 1st ( 83%)
• Penalties conceded - 8th
• Errors - 14th
• Attack - 1st (645)
• Defence - 1st (312)

[trewhella]

I thought we looked quite good today.
im hoping the backrowers step up consistently. They are pivotal to out successn

[trewhella]

Even Shrooms Crichton looked likely.

[Easts75]

Even Shrooms Crichton looked likely.

I thought he looked terrible again

[Eggspert]

It's pretty obvious as I said regarding things they can control - You win comps with Penrith's stats but won't with the Roosters

Roosters 2023

• Possession % - 17th (47%)
• Set Completions - 17th (75%)
• Penalties conceded - 2nd
• Errors - 2nd
• Attack - 15th (472)
• Defence - 6th (496)

Penrith 2023

• Possession % - 1st (54%)
• Set Completions - 1st ( 83%)
• Penalties conceded - 8th
• Errors - 14th
• Attack - 1st (645)
• Defence - 1st (312)

They are terrible stats.

What does it come down to?

Man for Man we match them in most positions except the halves but on their day ours are right up there i think?

Why do we stagnate or get worse & Penrith are so consistent?

Coaching?

[theGman]

They are terrible stats.

What does it come down to?

Man for Man we match them in most positions except the halves but on their day ours are right up there i think?

Why do we stagnate or get worse & Penrith are so consistent?

Coaching?

Disappointingly, these stats have been consistently poor over the past 5 years yet, we seem to play deep into the finals.

Can only imagine just how good we could be if we got our shite together.