Trent Robinson interview - SEN

[HunchoRooster]

I think Robbo prefers to make idealistic commentary and speak like a TedX talker. Reiterating comments around mindset, preparation and character. The role of a coach is to be pragmatic and results driven. It appears from the outside (coz none of us will know), the ambition to hone in on particular areas of our game has diminished especially given we are seen to make the same errors over and over again. Errors that are the clear reason we aren't going to the next level.

Perhaps it's not the right attitude but my approach is that Penriff's 4 in a row is as much the other big clubs (like us) failure to adapt and deliver as it is their brilliance and success.

There's an element of hubris in everything that Robinson does that isn't seen from other top level coaches. Almost feeling like he needs to out think the room and do things in a certain way. He is lacking the pragmatism and attention to detail that I'd expect from someone who has won 3 premierships. He's achieved more than 95% in his field have or ever will, so maybe its understandable that he somewhat rides on his reputation and hasn't said or done anything of substance for at least 3 seasons now.

[Nicola Tesla]

The biggest issue we have had in the last five years is our halves!
Blooding a new kid doesn’t happen over night… easts are hoping this kid is their long term half..
Its not an easy task… but worth pursuing.
Throw in all the rule changes during this time, and I think they have done well.
There hasn’tt been much on the market during this time either.
while easts were winning comps, Penrith were building.
And Bellyache can develop halves.. not many others can!
What should easts have done in these 5 years?

[Rooster_6]

The biggest issue we have had in the last five years is our halves!
Blooding a new kid doesn’t happen over night… easts are hoping this kid is their long term half..
Its not an easy task… but worth pursuing.
Throw in all the rule changes during this time, and I think they have done well.
There hasn’tt been much on the market during this time either.
while easts were winning comps, Penrith were building.
And Bellyache can develop halves.. not many others can!
What should easts have done in these 5 years?

This has been a conclusion of mine for a couple of years too, I think the plan was that Keary would develop into the organising half whilst we blooded Sam Walker which is why Keary was handed the 7 originally. Whether it was through reluctance, lack of confidence or just an inability to meet the requirements of the role it just never worked out.

Penrith were very strategic in bringing James Maloney to the club when Nathan Cleary was coming through and you often hear him reference the impact having Maloney next to him had, not just to allow him to find his feet in grade but also the lessons he learnt from Maloney.

Melbourne definitely are the best at developing halves and I think it comes from the education they're given. Clubs seem to be wising up and creating their own halves academies and ensuring they've got more education for their halves (us with our academy with Cronk and Pearce). But they also seem to be really good at picking up players who have played a few positions and converting them into a half. Cooper Cronk (three-quarter), Jahrome Hughes (fullback), Gareth Widdop (fullback) and you're seeing them do it again with Wishart. It's why I'm really interested to see how Sandon Smith goes, given he's played fullback, halfback and dummy half over the last few years. I feel like that education of the game from different positions and perspectives only strengthens a half's understanding of the game. When you think a lot of the great halves so many of them started out playing a different position.

[King Salvo]

Bit hard for Luke Keary to change his spots so to speak from a running half to an organising half that late in his career - All the halves he had played with up to 2021 were all organising halves - Reynolds, Pearce , Cronk and Flanagan.

2021 ACL Second game didn't help - Helped Sam Walker though in being able to ease his way into the NRL as the Hutchinator became the organising half.

Have to wait and see but I see Sandon as an organising half and Sam as a running half still - Sandon will have to take on the role of the running half for at least half the season in 2025 as Townsend is an organising half.

[Rooster_6]

Bit hard for Luke Keary to change his spots so to speak from a running half to an organising half that late in his career - All the halves he had played with up to 2021 were all organising halves - Reynolds, Pearce , Cronk and Flanagan.

2021 ACL Second game didn't help - Helped Sam Walker though in being able to ease his way into the NRL as the Hutchinator became the organising half.

Have to wait and see but I see Sandon as an organising half and Sam as a running half still - Sandon will have to take on the role of the running half for at least half the season in 2025 as Townsend is an organising half.

Darren Lockyer, Jonathan Thurston, Kieran Foran, Benji Marshall, Shaun Johnson and even Maloney to an extent were all ball running halves who adapted their game in the back end of their careers to play the organiser role to varying level

It’s actually much harder as the body deteriorates to remain a strong running half (which we saw with Keary) but with the experienced gained most halves say they’re only finally starting to understand the game by the time they’re in their late 20’s.

[King Salvo]

Darren Lockyer, Jonathan Thurston, Kieran Foran, Benji Marshall, Shaun Johnson and even Maloney to an extent were all ball running halves who adapted their game in the back end of their careers to play the organiser role to varying level

It’s actually much harder as the body deteriorates to remain a strong running half (which we saw with Keary) but with the experienced gained most halves say they’re only finally starting to understand the game by the time they’re in their late 20’s.

You lose speed as you get older but the harder gig is the organising half as you need to take the line on ( Line Engagement) and you probably have been whacked hundreds of times already by the opposition D doing this . Why Johns and Thurston harp on about those types of halves being whacked late after passing the ball.

Not every half has the bollocks to take the line on - Can't imagine Luke Keary being thrilled to take on that role especially with his background of concussions.

[Bates]

The biggest issue we have had in the last five years is our halves!
Blooding a new kid doesn’t happen over night… easts are hoping this kid is their long term half..
Its not an easy task… but worth pursuing.
Throw in all the rule changes during this time, and I think they have done well.
There hasn’tt been much on the market during this time either.
while easts were winning comps, Penrith were building.
And Bellyache can develop halves.. not many others can!
What should easts have done in these 5 years?

We defiantly should've signed Jerome Luai.

2026

1. Teddy
6. Luai
7. Walker
9. Robson

One hand on the trophy with that spine.

[Bates]

Interesting to note that Papenhuyzen won't commit beyond 2026 to the Storm.

Welcome Ryan.

[King Salvo]

We defiantly should've signed Jerome Luai.

2026

1. Teddy
6. Luai
7. Walker
9. Robson

One hand on the trophy with that spine.

Wests Tigers signed him for 1.2 million a season ( 2 year deal and 3 one year Player Options) and had more to spend to sign him if required - so how much would you have been okay for the Roosters to pay for his services.

Not sure you grasp the concept of a salary cap - always wanting to pay excess amounts for players - you wanted to sign Robson for 1.1 mill for instance - Roosters signed him for 750k

[Rooster_6]

You lose speed as you get older but the harder gig is the organising half as you need to take the line on ( Line Engagement) and you probably have been whacked hundreds of times already by the opposition D doing this . Why Johns and Thurston harp on about those types of halves being whacked late after passing the ball.

Not every half has the bollocks to take the line on - Can't imagine Luke Keary being thrilled to take on that role especially with his background of concussions.

Engaging the line is not exclusive to the role of an orgnaising half, all halves must engage the line and be ready to take a hit, especially ball running halves otherwise they’re not making space for their outside men and the defence will quickly realise they are no threat and just slide off them.

[Rooster_6]

Interesting to note that Papenhuyzen won't commit beyond 2026 to the Storm.

Welcome Ryan.

He’s a mid tier fullback in the current game.

[Bates]

He’s a mid tier fullback in the current game.

I wouldn't say no!

Who would you place above him?

[Bates]

Wests Tigers signed him for 1.2 million a season ( 2 year deal and 3 one year Player Options) and had more to spend to sign him if required - so how much would you have been okay for the Roosters to pay for his services.

Not sure you grasp the concept of a salary cap - always wanting to pay excess amounts for players - you wanted to sign Robson for 1.1 mill for instance - Roosters signed him for 750k

Where did you read that?

[King Salvo]

I think I'm done with Robbo mentally and so I don't get anything out of his interviews anymore. Never seen a guy say so much without saying anything.

I will very gleefully and happily eat crow should his methods win us another premiership.

Coach Robinson is a student of the game which may go over the head of some.

Need to face facts that Penrith have been too good for all teams in winning 4 in a row - should have been 5 except for their Barry Crocker first 46 minutes vs Storm in 2020.

Maybe some on here who lived through the Dragons 11 in a row can say what that was like ?

How do other teams prepare for the season when in the back of their minds they know they will need a lot of luck to be any hope of winning the comp vs such teams whether it be the Dragons back in the day or Penrith nowadays.

Some times you just have to tip your lid and acknowledge one team is just too good.

Interesting to read comments on other sites when they rate Penrith players against other players in their positions i.e starting 13 - Cleary, Yeo and Fisher -Harris are the only Penrith players most would rate number 1 in their position as far as a starting 13 goes - not many rate their interchange players against other teams one's

What is the secret for this success then ? - The Sydney Ron Casey said the best boxers where the one's who were the hungriest that came from below average to poor backgrounds - money was a motivation but so was helping out their families.

Quite a few of the Penrith players come from housing commission suburb backgrounds so that could well be a factor.- Probably told at school they wouldn't amount to anything - labouring/factory jobs there destination post school or Centrelink welfare payments.

I don't think any Penrith player that left was offered more by Penrith to stay - Luai was offered 800 k by Penrith for an example which was no match for the Wests Tigers 1.2 mill a season - Not about a new challenge and money was a factor not only from an individual position but a family perspective.

Maybe the Roosters players are too pampered living in the Eastern Suburbs ?

[King Salvo]

Where did you read that?

The 26-year-old signed a four-year deal to join the Tricolours ahead of the 2026 season, with his contract reportedly worth around $3 million.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl...mmendedCount=0