Official Match Day Thread: Roosters v Knights

[HDTONE]

No saying anything's happening or like that but I'd love to be a fly on the wall when Nick has a word to Robbo...it would be civilized but Nick by be a bit more assertive that Robbo might Iike.

Folk here already talked about fitness, K but the newbies are stepping up.

Thing that really got me was no direction in attack....they looked lost and wtf do we do.

[Lydon]

Teams that win premierships have good players, in other ground breaking news the sun will rise in the east tomorrow and the sky will be blue.

Absolutely nobody is cutting their arm off to have a Roosters team of 2020-2025 over Penrith or Melbourne in that time period.

The Roosters teams from 2020 - 2024 were constantly smashed with injuries so it’s a little hard to compare to Penrith and Melbourne in the same period..

Yes I’ll be happy to see the sun coming out in the morning,but still disappointed that we lost so many players last year and the only notable signing was Chad Townsend for this year..

Seems like a wasted year which is a shame..

[SamKerrSimp]

The Roosters teams from 2020 - 2024 were constantly smashed with injuries so it’s a little hard to compare to Penrith and Melbourne in the same period..

Yes I’ll be happy to see the sun coming out in the morning,but still disappointed that we lost so many players last year and the only notable signing was Chad Townsend for this year..

Seems like a wasted year which is a shame..

You do realise that the spending spree of 2013 happened because they didn't sign anyone noteworthy in 2011 and 2012 right? We even put Maloney on the books for 2012

We can't just go out and buy a new team every few years this season is all about giving promising youngsters first grade experience it's not exactly wasted.

[King Salvo]

Sure they lost some players but some were probably past their used by date.

Not easy to have a succession plan in business let alone sport as others will always be on the look out for talent and head hunt them.

You could be developing players to replace established players in x amount of years time but others teams could also sign these up and comers before that time occurs.

Why the developing of a raft of players in all positions is ongoing

If the Sam Walker (22) and Sandon Smith (22) combo clicks and they end up as career Roosters then hard/impossible to see any of the following hanging around to play a few games here and there if NRL Ready

• Toby Rodwell
• Reece Foley
• Jake Elliot
• Hugo Savala

Hence you need to keep an eye on the halves stock below them as well and start developing them too - i.e the ones coming through the academies and junior reps.

[Red.]

S[*]Toby Rodwell[*]Reece Foley[*]Jake Elliot[*]Hugo Ssvala[/LIST]

Call me crazy but why aren't we playing one of these young blokes instead of Townsend? Surely we would be bettered served in the long run by rolling the dice with a kid rather than hoping a veteran can recapture his best form.

[Rooster_6]

I don't think he's being tricked at all I think he's softened in his age and is showing loyalty to Robinson and prioritising that legacy and relationship over immediate success. Thats his call and you are right in the sense TR has delivered 3 premierships and turned the culture around from the mid 2000s. That will always have my respect and admiration.

But for me, enough is enough. I feel like Robbo should be involved in the club in some capacity, perhaps upstairs or as a consultant but his attitude for day to day coaching is not the same.

He seems less focused on winning games and more focused on what he says to the media or how he analyses the game in general. Almost like he is content with what he's achieved (he has a right to be) and is happy to just be in the role now. I genuinely think someone like Bellamy wins a comp, then moves on. Doesn't look back, focuses on winning the next one. Robbo seems to be at the stage of wanting to write a book on how he did the back to back, as opposed to actively trying to win another one.

I disagree I don't think it's a softening or being fooled I think Nick sees Robinson as his successor, potentially even one day as the chairman but if not definitely someone who whatever role he plays will be a large part of a stable Roosters club. In 2017-2019 the club spent a lot of time, money and effort on reviewing the club's pathway systems including a trip to Barcelona which was centred around seeing their model for pathways. This also included strategic partnerships with the central coast, a revival of the club's affiliation with Ipswich area and ofcourse the Roosters academy.

This feels like the year the club are hoping it will all start coming together. You heard Robinson say multiple times that he would not be buying talent that would block the path of our young kids.

I think there's a longer vision and bigger play at hand.

I just don't buy that Robinson has packed it in and Politis is getting soft. You just don't get to where these two men have by being so fragile.

[King Salvo]

Call me crazy but why aren't we playing one of these young blokes instead of Townsend? Surely we would be bettered served in the long run by rolling the dice with a kid rather than hoping a veteran can recapture his best form.

If Townsend doesn't work out I would like to see Hugo Savala get a shot. - Sandon 7 and Hugo 6

[Lydon]

You do realise that the spending spree of 2013 happened because they didn't sign anyone noteworthy in 2011 and 2012 right? We even put Maloney on the books for 2012

We can't just go out and buy a new team every few years this season is all about giving promising youngsters first grade experience it's not exactly wasted.

Yes I do realise mate..

No one is expecting a new team every few years,that doesn’t even make sense..

Anyway all good..

[Lydon]

Call me crazy but why aren't we playing one of these young blokes instead of Townsend? Surely we would be bettered served in the long run by rolling the dice with a kid rather than hoping a veteran can recapture his best form.

You’re spot on!

[Vasco]

If Townsend doesn't work out I would like to see Hugo Savala get a shot. - Sandon 7 and Hugo 6

Me too.

[Vasco]

Agree with this whilst Sammy is out injured. Vic can ball play and can size up an attacking opportunity around the ruck.

He also tightens up the defense around the ruck.

[bondi.boy]

- Radley - second row
- Pauga - NSW Cup
- Watson - lock
- Whyte - NSW Cup - needs to learn how defend
- Billy Smith - Centre - our best defensive centre
- Wong - bench
- Crichton - second row
- N Butcher - bench
- Collins - starting prop
- Steep - bench
- DLS Va'a - NSW Cup - needs more time

Thanks for the reply.
In that case, with Leniu missing for 2 matches, who on earth is going to be in the fg starting side?
Toia was found wanting at right centre?
Marky is injured.
If Teddy or Trent didn't authorise that stupid short restart kick off...then Townsend needs to be replaced.
Pauga played well when used in fg last season.
Whyte needs to be ready now, we need fg players now.
Knights had a team of first graders, big, strong, fast, can tackle.
Maybe Whyte and anyone else who can't tackle need to be moved on.
"If you can't tackle don't bother ringing up (for a trial)" - Jack Gibson.

[HunchoRooster]

I disagree I don't think it's a softening or being fooled I think Nick sees Robinson as his successor, potentially even one day as the chairman but if not definitely someone who whatever role he plays will be a large part of a stable Roosters club. In 2017-2019 the club spent a lot of time, money and effort on reviewing the club's pathway systems including a trip to Barcelona which was centred around seeing their model for pathways. This also included strategic partnerships with the central coast, a revival of the club's affiliation with Ipswich area and ofcourse the Roosters academy.

This feels like the year the club are hoping it will all start coming together. You heard Robinson say multiple times that he would not be buying talent that would block the path of our young kids.

I think there's a longer vision and bigger play at hand.

I just don't buy that Robinson has packed it in and Politis is getting soft. You just don't get to where these two men have by being so fragile.

They're not fragile at all and as I said I don't think Politis is being fooled.

I think it's a case of successful men reaching a level of content, which they are completely entitled to. I just don't like to see it at the expense of the Roosters. Points taken re: your pathways system but teams like Barcelona would turf their coach for far less sins that what Robinson has committed in the last few years.

I would welcome Trent being apart of the club for the long term purely for the love he has for the club and for what he has done. That would not involve the day to day running of the footy side at this point though. Nobody is bigger than the club and the club is always gauged on success on field.

[Lydon]

If Townsend doesn't work out I would like to see Hugo Savala get a shot. - Sandon 7 and Hugo 6

He definitely wouldn’t let anyone down..

[bondi.boy]

He definitely wouldn’t let anyone down..

Indeed.
And, he's big...193cm (1cm shorter than Collins) and 94kg...age 22.
6ft 3 in, and 14 stone 11lbs, in the old money.