Round 1 team

[King Salvo]

I've always thought pre season training was a waste of time. They should just turn up 1 hour before round 1 kicks off shake hands, say hi and play.

Coach Sally's methodology.

Oh my you're like chicken little bates with your sky is falling and negative posts - don't you think all teams train in a similar fashion as teams employ staff skilled in pre season training - The days of flogging players pre-season is long gone and no teams do the infamous road runs and what not any more - they do targeted training nowadays.

It's 2024 not 1974

["gaz"]

Hi gaz, Imo the Broncos 17 for round 1 will be considerably stronger than ours on paper. I'm being realistic! Walker and Cheese out, new halves combo, rookies, etc etc. They will lap us if we can't match them in the fitness department was the point I was trying to get across.

That is a possibility, and we may struggle in the first 10 rounds (Tough games and a new team)
The team will have settled by then and step-up over the next 10 rounds,
The final 7 games we hopefully have Sam Walker and Brandon Smith back which allows them to go up another gear again.

For me I am exited to see the Roosters in 2025 and setting up for our future
This is the beginning of a new era, not just because we have a new team but that we are now blooding Academy and Pathways players that have been developed differently over the last 5 years to how they were previously.

[Mickie Lane]

If I had to put my money on a winner for rd 1 I would put my money on the Bronx mainly because of Reynolds & Hunt plus I just don’t know who is going to step up for the Chooks & intimidate the Broncos forwards.
Go the Roosters

["gaz"]

We already know that Sam Walker & Brandon Smith will be out for the start of the season & I would be surprised if all other players are fit for rd 1 but for the sake of picking a side for rd 1 we'll just go with Walker & Brandon Smith being the only 2 not available.
I think Robbo will go with the most experienced players in each position so only 1 rookie makes my 17.

Teddy
Toops
Billy Smith
Pauga
Young
Sandon Smith
Townsend
Collins
Watson
Leniu
Crighton
Radley
N Butcher

Whyte
E Butcher
Wong
Steep

Im not saying thats the team I would pick but thats the team I think Robbo will go with for rd 1 if only Walker & Smith are unavailable.

I would consider a "Dummy Half" on the bench in case Conner Watson needs a break or needs to be utilised in another position, and I would consider Pauga as 4th at best for a position at centre.

[Bates]

That is a possibility, and we may struggle in the first 10 rounds (Tough games and a new team)
The team will have settled by then and step-up over the next 10 rounds,
The final 7 games we hopefully have Sam Walker and Brandon Smith back which allows them to go up another gear again.

For me I am exited to see the Roosters in 2025 and setting up for our future
This is the beginning of a new era, not just because we have a new team but that we are now blooding Academy and Pathways players that have been developed differently over the last 5 years to how they were previously.

Yeah I can't wait for round 1!

I always get a little emotional when they're running out as i miss the footy in the off season.

Up the Chooks.

[Bates]

Oh my you're like chicken little bates with your sky is falling and negative posts - don't you think all teams train in a similar fashion as teams employ staff skilled in pre season training - The days of flogging players pre-season is long gone and no teams do the infamous road runs and what not any more - they do targeted training nowadays.

It's 2024 not 1974

Happy New Year Queen Sally.

Did you hit the Moonshine and pickled Yellow Tail last night?

[BTRD]

Wish we had a fair dinkum hooker.

[ism22]

Wish we had a fair dinkum hooker.

I was semi hoping that the Cows' signing of Bateman would enable us to take Robson a little earlier. However, I doubt it.

[Waylander]

I think Sandon going to fullback is going to be the most likely option, Watson into the halves and utility off the bench into dummy half.

Going to be interesting to see what Robbo does with his bench because if he goes with Radley and Crichton on the edges he doesn't really have a mobile second rower who can cover centres if an outside back goes down and with Watson playing dummy half until Smith gets back we have lost our most versatile utility player to dummy half.

Wouldn't surprise if he goes with a half or outside back on the bench. Maybe someone like a Jake Elliot, potentially why they were considering someone like Mbye.

Radley could fill in at hooker at a pinch, and a bench forward cover the right edge. Certainly not my preferred option, but he’s done it in the past & could do again.

[Crab]

Joey when he comes back from Japanese rugby mid season. Wrong thread lol. But he'd be great again at fullback if Teddy wasn't available.

[Rooster_6]

Radley could fill in at hooker at a pinch, and a bench forward cover the right edge. Certainly not my preferred option, but he’s done it in the past & could do again.

He's put on some size since those days. For 10mins or so I'd back him but not sure he's handling much more than that.

My guess is we will sign a first grade experienced dummy half / utility before the start of the season otherwise we're going to have to develop one.

[King Salvo]

Joey when he comes back from Japanese rugby mid season. Wrong thread lol. But he'd be great again at fullback if Teddy wasn't available.

Have to wait and see but odds aren't great on him coming back one would say- Money is too good in Japanese Rugby especially it being a short season . Not sure if his ambition is to play for the All Blacks still but he would need to sign with a NZ Super Rugby team.

[King Salvo]

It could be said Manu clocked off the last 3rd of the season - Not sure why he is wearing a LA Dodgers cap - Should be wearing an Atlanta Braves one - Red White and Navy Blue - Maybe a Baseball fan ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXYwI5nvERE

[Vasco]

Joey when he comes back from Japanese rugby mid season. Wrong thread lol. But he'd be great again at fullback if Teddy wasn't available.

I think the club is moving on from Manu.

I also think he doesn't have the engine to play fullback. Maybe once or twice a season but not more than that.

[ism22]

Who rocks the party that rocks the paaar-tay?!?!?