Official Match Day Thread: Roosters v Raiders

[ism22]

I'm walking past the stadium right now (going past as I have other business at the AIS) and it's already pretty packed with Faders fans. It's pretty much a sellout too based on my experience trying to buy tickets.

Looks like they reckon they can do a job on us and I don't doubt 'em because they give themselves a MASSIVE home advantage. IMO there's definitely lessons to be learned from how hostile they are towards away teams. We're more professional and collegiate, but TBH I reckon a little bit of mongrel from our MC / ground management team would go a loooong way!

Regardless, I'm looking forward to the ambush. Not expecting a cricket score (that was a one-off accurate prediction) but I reckon if our ball speed and completions are like last week then we'll do a job on 'em.

[Ron Burgundy]

Manu is out guys.

Out to have a big game that is. Get on him for anytime try scorer

[fletch]

Trent Robinson has finalised his side to take on the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium.

There have been no changes ahead of kick-off, with the side set to run out 1-17, with Fetalaiga Pauga as 18th man.

[roosterchook]

The result all depends on our execution.

It used to be ‘which rooster team will turn up” before, but now it’s whether we can get away with this very high risk footy we play or not. We have the quality players but I think the style we play is very difficult for the players to execute perfectly without giving up heaps of possession.

[ism22]

I just checked the team list and was shocked that Pauga's 18th man. Then I checked the list and remembered that we were without Manu last week.

In all their hate/doubt speech did ANYBODY put their mind to the fact we lost to the Sharks by 1 try without Manu? Just saying...

Fire up Easts!!! On my way to the stadium now.

[Ron Burgundy]

It’s between 3 in my opinion
- Elliot Whitehead
- Jordan Rapana
- Hudson Young

Whitehead ftw. He doesn’t even bother to feign injury if he gets the slightest bit of head contact. Just stands there and refuses to play the ball until the penalty comes.

[Team Evil]

I just checked the team list and was shocked that Pauga's 18th man. Then I checked the list and remembered that we were without Manu last week.

In all their hate/doubt speech did ANYBODY put their mind to the fact we lost to the Sharks by 1 try without Manu? Just saying...

Fire up Easts!!! On my way to the stadium now.

In saying that Pauga had a great game, his speed alone got one of those tries.

[roosterchook]

I just checked the team list and was shocked that Pauga's 18th man. Then I checked the list and remembered that we were without Manu last week.

In all their hate/doubt speech did ANYBODY put their mind to the fact we lost to the Sharks by 1 try without Manu? Just saying...

Fire up Easts!!! On my way to the stadium now.

Poor execution and discipline is why we lost. We had them on the ropes then lost composure and patience and handed possession and the game over. This team is premiership material if it can only have more patience and far fewer errors.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

How great do our indigenous jerseys look!

[fletch]

Listening to Connor Watson's pre-game interview it sounds like Robbo is going to throttle back the frantic all out attack and play with a bit more patience.

[Ron Burgundy]

Listening to Connor Watson's pre-game interview it sounds like Robbo is going to throttle back the frantic all out attack and play with a bit more patience.

I would hope so. Last week was ridiculous

[roosterchook]

I would hope so. Last week was ridiculous

Sounds like it. He said we played too high risk so I think this could be a low scoring grind. I love to watch us go full throttle but it’s losing us games we should easily win. This year looks like it’s going to be about finding the right balance.

[Waylander]

This game always worries me. By rights we should win this by 20, but we all know that’s not going to happen. Good luck boys, and for those at the ground, enjoy the wonderful Raiders hospitality. LOL.

[MCMLXVI]

Wouldn't surprise to see the first ever group dive today.

Really does need to be a laugh response here. Dead set laughing out loud visualising synchronised diving by grown men in shorts.

[Bondicigar]

Manu is out guys.

Out to have a big game that is. Get on him for anytime try scorer

I'll go out on a limb and say put your house on is Dom is good anytime at 1.47