2024 Halves change - it’s time.

[tloos1999]

Sandon Smith is approaching a return from injury. When fit, Trent has to bite the bullet and demote Keary or our season is gone and done - if it isn’t already. I’d rather throw caution to the wind and Smith/Walker a genuine prolonged shot in the halves.

It’s a win win - either it works - or we have to look elsewhere for 2025 onward for what this clubs future will look like. We’ve seen him and Walker play out of their skins against Souths. Opposition aside, there was more of an attacking identity in that game than what we’ve had with Keary for the last 3 years (bomb, short kick, error, tap on, intercept, repeat). There were set plays, combinations, coherency. Keary has no kicking game, refuses to take on the line unless the game is over is, and offers a multitude of silly errors from a should be mature player. A combined record of near 1/20 against Penrith/Melbourne since 2020, and the common denominator is Keary with whomever he has been partnered with. A complete shadow of his former self and Trent needs to give him the tap. If he doesn’t - I fear it’ll be Trent himself getting an ushering out from the Greek billionaire himself (who won’t settle for no more premierships before he goes - don’t believe that he won’t make a difficult decision).

If there ever was a time - it’s now.

[Steggles]

Whilst I totally agreed with you about the Keary change and letting Walker/Smith start building the future, I don’t believe for one minute that Robbo will ever drop him. Blind loyalty is the issue. There are a number of players in this team that keep getting picked despite their poor performances and/or being very, very average. Keary is the most blatant case of blind loyalty as he’s been dreadful for a few seasons but continues to ba a permanent fixture in the team. I think Robbo has been and still can be a top coach, but this is by far his biggest weakness. The only way it will change is if Nick gives him a black and white directive.

[Bates]

Problem is that the rest of the team is capable. They're keeping us within range, sufficing Uncle Nick to some degree and keeping Robbo employed. The dead wood will need to be cut away if we want to win another comp.

My Spine moving forward for 2024

1. Manu
6. Sandon Smith
7. Sam Walker
9. The Cheese

Magic happens when brilliant young talented men and or woman work together.

[Chook2]

Keary ever since the acl in 2021 has struggled to get back to his best
being the senior half and with walker next to him thought he would have matured and taken on the senior reigns and more controlling half! But he hasn’t don’t this wanting to be the ball running game changer still! Not sure if this is a robbo think or Keary and the way he wants to still play
He can’t control a game and has lost confidence and speed to take it to the line and break through the line!
unfortunately robbo won’t drop him so it might be robbo or him
walker and sandon smith are the future
Keary had the audacity to call out the side after the dogs but has been bad for years now
while I’ll never forgot what he did in 2018-19 taking the side to glory with Cronk non existent on the field was great but his time is done

[King Salvo]

The halves could well be

6. Luke Keary
7. Sandon Smith

Another player to keep tabs on is Hugo Savala a tall half but one can play both roles - organising and running half - good kicking game and also a goal kicker of note.

Sam Walker continues to struggle to create opportunities on the right side, let alone run the ball, which is a major concern and the reason for his relegation to the Reggies in 2023, as it doesn't bring Joseph Manu or the dominator (Dom Young) into the game. Opposition D's then limit the Roosters offence by targeting James Tedesco and Luke Keary in numbers. The Games vs. Penrith as an example.

Talk about Luke Keary not taking the line on - Line Engaged - 5th with 54 - Sam Walker not listed in the top 50 where 15 line engaged is the lowest to make the cut - 50th

Luke Keary

Try Assist Stats

2017 - 16 - 26 games
2018 - 21 - 23 games
2019 - 22 - 22 games
2020 - 18 - 20 games
2021 - 7 - 3 games
2022 - 22 - 22 games
2023 - 19 - 26 games
2024 - 5 - 6 games

Running Metres

Broncos - 74 - 80 minutes
Manly - 30 - 75 minutes
Penrith - 86 - 80 minutes
Bulldogs - 106 - 80 minutes
Knights - 103 - 80 minutes
Storm - 69 - 80 minutes

Sam Walker

Try Assist Stats

2021 - 19 - 21 games
2022 - 16 - 25 games
2023 - 4 - 10 games
2024 - 1 - 5 games

Running Metres

Broncos - 48 - 80 minutes
Manly - 33 - 80 minutes
Souths - 25 - 47 minutes
Penrith - 16 - 80 minutes
Bulldogs - 0 - 18 minutes

[Rooster_6]

The halves could well be

6. Luke Keary
7. Sandon Smith

Another player to keep tabs on is Hugo Savala a tall half but one can play both roles - organising and running half - good kicking game and also a goal kicker of note.

Sam Walker continues to struggle to create opportunities on the right side, let alone run the ball, which is a major concern and the reason for his relegation to the Reggies in 2023, as it doesn't bring Joseph Manu or the dominator (Dom Young) into the game. Opposition D's then limit the Roosters offence by targeting James Tedesco and Luke Keary in numbers. The Games vs. Penrith as an example.

Talk about Luke Keary not taking the line on - Line Engaged - 5th with 54 - Sam Walker not listed in the top 50 where 15 line engaged is the lowest to make the cut - 50th

Luke Keary

Try Assist Stats

2017 - 16 - 26 games
2018 - 21 - 23 games
2019 - 22 - 22 games
2020 - 18 - 20 games
2021 - 7 - 3 games
2022 - 22 - 22 games
2023 - 19 - 26 games
2024 - 5 - 6 games

Running Metres

Broncos - 74 - 80 minutes
Manly - 30 - 75 minutes
Penrith - 86 - 80 minutes
Bulldogs - 106 - 80 minutes
Knights - 103 - 80 minutes
Storm - 69 - 80 minutes

Sam Walker

Try Assist Stats

2021 - 19 - 21 games
2022 - 16 - 25 games
2023 - 4 - 10 games
2024 - 1 - 5 games

Running Metres

Broncos - 48 - 80 minutes
Manly - 33 - 80 minutes
Souths - 25 - 47 minutes
Penrith - 16 - 80 minutes
Bulldogs - 0 - 18 minutes

It’s a bit dishonest to say Sam Walker has played 5 games this year, he was ruled out of the Bulldogs game after only 18 minutes and ruled out of the Souths game just after half time.

[tloos1999]

The halves could well be

6. Luke Keary
7. Sandon Smith

Another player to keep tabs on is Hugo Savala a tall half but one can play both roles - organising and running half - good kicking game and also a goal kicker of note.

Sam Walker continues to struggle to create opportunities on the right side, let alone run the ball, which is a major concern and the reason for his relegation to the Reggies in 2023, as it doesn't bring Joseph Manu or the dominator (Dom Young) into the game. Opposition D's then limit the Roosters offence by targeting James Tedesco and Luke Keary in numbers. The Games vs. Penrith as an example.

Talk about Luke Keary not taking the line on - Line Engaged - 5th with 54 - Sam Walker not listed in the top 50 where 15 line engaged is the lowest to make the cut - 50th

Luke Keary

Try Assist Stats

2017 - 16 - 26 games
2018 - 21 - 23 games
2019 - 22 - 22 games
2020 - 18 - 20 games
2021 - 7 - 3 games
2022 - 22 - 22 games
2023 - 19 - 26 games
2024 - 5 - 6 games

Running Metres

Broncos - 74 - 80 minutes
Manly - 30 - 75 minutes
Penrith - 86 - 80 minutes
Bulldogs - 106 - 80 minutes
Knights - 103 - 80 minutes
Storm - 69 - 80 minutes

Sam Walker

Try Assist Stats

2021 - 19 - 21 games
2022 - 16 - 25 games
2023 - 4 - 10 games
2024 - 1 - 5 games

Running Metres

Broncos - 48 - 80 minutes
Manly - 33 - 80 minutes
Souths - 25 - 47 minutes
Penrith - 16 - 80 minutes
Bulldogs - 0 - 18 minutes

You cannot be serious. I’m going to entertain this dribble as much as any other post you reply to using random stats to suit your ridiculous agendas.

[Steggles]

You cannot be serious. I’m going to entertain this dribble as much as any other post you reply to using random stats to suit your ridiculous agendas.

Salvo’s just a fickle fan that has a clear agenda against Sam Walker, take no notice of him, no one else does.

[dice]

We have looked better whenever we replaced Keary or Walker with either Sandon Smith or Hutch. The issue is Keary and Walker are too similar including weaknesses. IMO the best we have looked in recent times was when Keary paired up with Sandon Smith.

An even better choice would be someone with an explosive running game. Someone like Tom Dearden or even AJ Brimson.

[Roosterfarian]

We have looked better whenever we replaced Keary or Walker with either Sandon Smith or Hutch. The issue is Keary and Walker are too similar including weaknesses. IMO the best we have looked in recent times was when Keary paired up with Sandon Smith.

An even better choice would be someone with an explosive running game. Someone like Tom Dearden or even AJ Brimson.

Don't underestimate Sandon's running game Dice. He'll certainly bring that element back into our game.

FWTW - I agree with the sentiments of this thread and believe we need a change in our halves to succeed into the future. For now that's Sandon and Walker.

[dice]

Don't underestimate Sandon's running game Dice. He'll certainly bring that element back into our game.

FWTW - I agree with the sentiments of this thread and believe we need a change in our halves to succeed into the future. For now that's Sandon and Walker.

I like Sandon and atm prefer him over Walker due to his superior running and kicking game. Realistically, it is too hard to defend with 80kg half on either side of the field. It will be interesting to see what Robbo does.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

Keary is no longer an elite half. His time is up imo.

[player 1]

This really should be Luke's last year. Does anyone really think he has another year left in him?

The next head knock he cops would be a convenient juncture to use the "medical retirement" card. It saves face for Luke, and gives us salary cap relief.

I really feel sorry for Robbo - the bunker and refs have definitely cost his side, no matter the dysfunction or unsuitability of the halves, at least 2 wins, which would put us at 5 from 7. Instead the pressure is on him big time, and the NRL media stooges are piling on ridiculing him as a "whinger who's lost the plot" for even mentioning the bunker ****ups. Plus Anusley gaslighting last week about the Manu push in the back, and then making a big deal about "knock-ons" by us that should have been ruled in general play.

In the 18-12 Storm loss, did we really have to put up with Klein being appointed again to blow his usual 10 penalties against us.

Robbo's a hated man. The rogering will not cease.

I do have to agree however that he is too close and grateful to Luke to make objective decisions.

[DP1990]

As someone mentioned here already, since his ACL in 2021 and the subsequent head knocks, Keary has been gun shy and at times passive in attack not to mention in a few recent games he's been a liability for us as well in defence (game against Manly, Olakau'atu steamrolled him basically every time he ran in that direction).


It's a tough call but I don't see us getting anywhere near premiership contention let alone a top 4 finish with Kez in the halves. It's just my own view but the similarities with his style and Walker's with a weak kicking game means we will struggle again this year. I don't know what halves combination we should pick but this also impacts Teddy's involvement because from the back he's probably looking at what Kez (the senior and controlling half) is up to and not liking what's in front so that's why he's getting involved and sometimes too much as a second receiver to spark an attack and get points.



There's a combination here:


Option 1: Sandon 6 + Walker 7 + Watson Utility + Keary 18th Man
Option 2: Sandon 6 + Walker 7 + Keary Utility + Watson 18th Man


Change the halves and our spine in general and attack will get better. If we don't change then we will crumble and we will hear stupid noise like "Teddy is past his prime or Manu needs to be at fullback or Suaalii needs to be dropped for Billy Smith" blah blah ... it all comes down to our halves combo !

[mightyrooster]

The halves could well be

6. Luke Keary
7. Sandon Smith

Another player to keep tabs on is Hugo Savala a tall half but one can play both roles - organising and running half - good kicking game and also a goal kicker of note.

Sam Walker continues to struggle to create opportunities on the right side, let alone run the ball, which is a major concern and the reason for his relegation to the Reggies in 2023, as it doesn't bring Joseph Manu or the dominator (Dom Young) into the game. Opposition D's then limit the Roosters offence by targeting James Tedesco and Luke Keary in numbers. The Games vs. Penrith as an example.

Talk about Luke Keary not taking the line on - Line Engaged - 5th with 54 - Sam Walker not listed in the top 50 where 15 line engaged is the lowest to make the cut - 50th

Luke Keary

Try Assist Stats

2017 - 16 - 26 games
2018 - 21 - 23 games
2019 - 22 - 22 games
2020 - 18 - 20 games
2021 - 7 - 3 games
2022 - 22 - 22 games
2023 - 19 - 26 games
2024 - 5 - 6 games

Running Metres

Broncos - 74 - 80 minutes
Manly - 30 - 75 minutes
Penrith - 86 - 80 minutes
Bulldogs - 106 - 80 minutes
Knights - 103 - 80 minutes
Storm - 69 - 80 minutes

Sam Walker

Try Assist Stats

2021 - 19 - 21 games
2022 - 16 - 25 games
2023 - 4 - 10 games
2024 - 1 - 5 games

Running Metres

Broncos - 48 - 80 minutes
Manly - 33 - 80 minutes
Souths - 25 - 47 minutes
Penrith - 16 - 80 minutes
Bulldogs - 0 - 18 minutes

What’s with the dumping on Sammy all of a sudden Salvo? The poor guy has only played 3 full games out of 7 so far this year. A bit harsh to blame him for all our woes as it’s been a very disrupted and frustrating start to the season for him with all the head knocks and subsequent mandatory and additional HIA related stand downs. For the record Manu and Keary are my two favourite players, so I’m not on the anti- Kez train either.