SYDNEY ROOSTERS v PENRITH PANTHERS

[Easts75]

Sitili defending on an edge is my biggest concern......that isn't going to end well

[player 1]

I forget, does Sandon Smith have more than a 30 metre long kick in his game?

If he doesn't, then I foresee a long game for us where we are coming off our own line with Klein allowing Pemriff as much time as they need to lay all over us in the rucks, and come off their defensive line early stifling any attack, without being penalised, which will force us into attempting risky plays that will lead to early turnovers of possession and being behind on the scoreboard from very early on.

I hope I'm wrong, but you all know I'm not.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

The Roosters need to be good at the basics for 80 minutes - high set completions , low errors (handling and missed tackles) , disciplined ( limit the numbers of penalties and set restarts conceded) plus their D has to work as a unit.

The kicking game will be important too against an expected boa constrictor defence. The Roosters must get to their kick no matter the metres they are making in each particular set.

Penrith ramp up their D to limit their oppositions set distance metres and often force them into "unforced" errors - i.e unnecessary offloads and passes and capitalise on these mistakes on the scoreboard.

The Roosters must stay in the grind and go with them over the 80.

Tries scored location

Roosters

46% Left Side - 15% Middle - 39% Right Side

Penrith

33% Left Side - 26% Middle - 41% Right Side


Tries conceded location

Roosters

39% Left Side - 16% Middle - 44% Right Side

Penrith

27% Left Side - 16% Middle - 57% Right Side

Very interesting stats on Panthers relative weakness on their right. We have to fancy our chances there, Toups to get a double maybe.

And look at their high success scoring points through the front door. I'd warrant a lot of those come off their short kicks, esp Cleary. Robbo would have been working on a defusal strategy in prep for this next Panthers clash..

[Chook2]

Tough missing 4 from our starting 13
but we still have a decent enough side to give it a shake
we are due for a win soon and it’s a big carrot with winning getting the week off and not facing storm or riff to grand final again

we need to aim up in D and be patient but it’s also nearly impossible to match and beat the riff at their own game same as the storm! So do they throw a spanner in the works and go for it in attack again?

the riff and due to loose soon, they can’t keep up winning finals games with their motivation not as strong as it was before so let’s hope we can get them, first time in years they look a little vulnerable

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

Running is the key. Sandon needs to run and engage the line more and we need to isolate Cleary and run at him all night until he's busted and goes off.

I'll be proud as punch if we win this one!

Up the Chooks.

Big opportunity for Sandon to truly prove himself in this finals series.

[Bates]

Their kick chase and yardage is key for them. Somehow we need to minimise this aspect of their game.

[Inflictor]

They have two garden gnomes on the edges. We have two giraffes.
I hope Keary remembers what Marky Mark did with his try.

[Bondicigar]

Luke Keary has to stamp his authority on this one. Our kicking game is inferior to Penriths so everything else will have to be near perfect to give ourselves any chance. Hopefully Keary takes charge and keeps things composed .

[Carlos Parra]

Klein is reffing. How likely is that?

Oh FFS!!!

Did you have to ruin my evening?

Pamfers by 30

[A Country Member]

Ashley Klein stats

Penrith
Win - Draw - Loss

21-0-27

43.75%

Easts
Win - Draw - Loss

40-0-27

59.70%

Team stats in the time Ashley Klein has been reffing

Penrith
Win - Loss - Draw : Percentage : Difference

239-2-161

59.70%

-15.95

Easts
Win - Loss - Draw : Percentage : Difference

235-1-171

57.86%

+1.84

[QWERTY]

Brian to’o on Dom Young. Hopefully we see the Roosters exploit that aerial advantage

[RoosterFanNZ]

Earlier in the season we refused to exploit our wingers heights against their midgets. I hope they don’t make the same mistake again

[Lydon]

This is our Grand Final,need to jag a win in any way possible!

Go Easts

[Teddy]

Great team considering our outs.
My only concern now is Whyte. The last month or so he looks like a deer in headlights sometimes when defending our line. Cleary and his handbag would see that in the videos.
I'd be more confident with Steep instead but hopefully Robbo wakes him up.

Agree with this wholeheartedly Steep would be ahead of Whyte and Sitili for me the kid is made for this he wouldn’t let anyone down, Whyte/Sitili defending that’s a big worry.

[fletch]

Suaalii reportedly in doubt with that neck injury.

Early Mail: The Roosters are reportedly worried regarding the fitness of star centre Joseph Suaalii. The young gun suffered a neck injury in the dying stages of the Tricolours’ clash with the Rabbitohs according to WWOS. Should he be ruled out, Michael Jennings or Sitili Tupouniua could be called into the centres.