We'll need a new five-eighth.

[Bates]

More so out of necessity than because it was his best position. He's a natural second receiver, and whilst they converted him into a 7 he saw his best success when he played with more natural organisers like Cooper Cronk & Michael Morgan.

Thurston is the best creator I've ever seen play the game, if he had a better number 7 to take the pressure of organising and last plays away from him I think the Cowboys would've won so many more premiserhips than just the one which is my point, you can find the best creator in the game but means squat unless you've got your foundations right. Matt Scott, Tamou & Taumalolo for the go forward, Morgan for the organisation and then you can just let Thurston shine.

Thurston was a threat whenever he had the ball in hand regardless of his position and who he played with. He was a generational player who would've found a way to put his stamp on todays game if he were our 6. To compare any of his games with what Sandon Smith has produced thus far in his career is odd.

The forward battle in the 2015 Grand Final was even. The difference in that game was Thurston!

[Rooster_6]

Thurston was a threat whenever he had the ball in hand regardless of his position and who he played with. He was a generational player who would've found a way to put his stamp on todays game if he were our 6. To compare any of his games with what Sandon Smith has produced thus far in his career is odd.

The forward battle in the 2015 Grand Final was even. The difference in that game was Thurston!

You really did not read my post or you have wildly misinterpreted what I said.

I never said Thurston wasn't a threat wherever he played, I said he was the greatest creator I've ever seen.

I never compared Jonathan Thurston with Sandon Smith, that is a huge overreach.

And I never said the Cowboys forward pack was dominant.

In all my time on here and it's been a while I don't think I've ever read a reply to one of my posts that so inadequately addressed the points being made.

[Bates]

Good attacking 5/8's are the icing on the cake.

Doesn't matter how good your 5/8 is unless you're playing enough football in the right positions on the field and that comes down to your forwards (and outside back yardage in the modern day game) and halfback. Even Tedesco looked second rate today.

Jonathan Thurston and the Cowboys were a testament to that.

What exactly were they a testament to?

[Qld Chook]

Time to splash some cash on Dyl Brown or Galvin. Need a big, running half.

[Rooster_6]

Time to splash some cash on Dyl Brown or Galvin. Need a big, running half.

Not at the expense of Toby Rodwell, patience.

[Swamptrout]

A few members here wax lyrical about our young players in the junior grades, none of the young fellas that played today looked any good. Maybe it's time to stop wearing the rose coloured glasses and just accept they are not as good as they have been hyped.

[gragra]

Most of the team were grossly disappointing.
Teddy too much running in circles and psnic passes.
Toia with big wraps v poor defence and disappointing lack of pace.
Mark Mark , strong defence but overall doesnt look a game breaker.
Toops, gets a tick as the usual Mr reliable.
Doms turn of pace seems to have deserted him, to go with his weak defence.
Chad, bog average...isn't going to make a break..,nor kick long...a fill in at best.
Sandon actually showed some spark and a good trier.
All the forwards ordunary, except for Watson. Spencer and Lindsay try hard but there's no genuine line breaking there. I thought we had a chance of finishing 8th , 4 weeks ago, but 10 to14th looks more likely. Yes , you can say a trial, but the shortcomings with the available talent looks short of the required calibre to turn that around.

[King Salvo]

I am backing the Squad and Coach Robinson and his team - looks like I am the only one.

My My My what a bunch of fair weather supporters the Roosters have to already write off the season before a ball has been kicked off proper.

Uncle Nick pull the Roosters from the Comp as they have no chance in 2025 and re-admit them in 2028

[King Salvo]

Thurston was a threat whenever he had the ball in hand regardless of his position and who he played with. He was a generational player who would've found a way to put his stamp on todays game if he were our 6. To compare any of his games with what Sandon Smith has produced thus far in his career is odd.

The forward battle in the 2015 Grand Final was even. The difference in that game was Thurston!

Generational player - the supposed player that doesn't come along that often in that particular period of time - ( 2002 - 2017) - mmm can you name other halves around that time - some bloke named Cronk I heard played some games.

Thurston had played 14 or so seasons and close to 270 NRL games by 2015 and you want to equate Sandon's game as a 22 year old who has played only 29 NRL games and mostly from the bench to to an establish players one - not only NRL but QLD (33) and Australia (32( too as well by that stage.

Not sure what you are expecting - please explain

[King Salvo]

A few members here wax lyrical about our young players in the junior grades, none of the young fellas that played today looked any good. Maybe it's time to stop wearing the rose coloured glasses and just accept they are not as good as they have been hyped.

It was a trial so wait to the real comp starts - too many knee jerk reactions from the usual henny penny sky is falling bunch.

[Rocky Rhodes]

Time to throw millions at Jerome Hughes...solve our kicking and organizational problems too.

Our spine in 2026 will look half decent then...1. Tedesco 6. S Walker 7. J Hughes 9 Reece Robson.

[The Brain]

No ones yalking about hooker..Watson is capable but not the answer.

[rented tracksuit]

Time to throw millions at Jerome Hughes...solve our kicking and organizational problems too.

Our spine in 2026 will look half decent then...1. Tedesco 6. S Walker 7. J Hughes 9 Reece Robson.

I just jizzed.

[Lydon]

Time to throw millions at Jerome Hughes...solve our kicking and organizational problems too.

Our spine in 2026 will look half decent then...1. Tedesco 6. S Walker 7. J Hughes 9 Reece Robson.

Jahrome Hughes under Craig Bellamy would not be the same player under Trent Robinson..

I’d rather not throw millions at him considering we won’t get the same player..

[BTRD]

Jahrome Hughes under Craig Bellamy would not be the same player under Trent Robinson..

I’d rather not throw millions at him considering we won’t get the same player..

Mr Robinson has the ability to coach the ' ability ' out of players.

I scratch my head, the players do so much dumb stuff over and over.