Official Match Day Thread: Roosters v Broncos

[Thirteen]

Nobody is saying with any confidence that they expect us to win tonight. And that’s not because Brisbane are so great. We have many doubters and who could blame them with the weak squad and lack of depth at the club. I mean look at that bench! About 5 games of first grade between them.

Tonight we can stand up and show everyone that despite losing all those players and adding nobody, we still play with pride. We can make a stance tonight and let all know that we aren’t going to roll over and be the competition’s easy beats.

It all begins tonight!

Kick off 8pm.

GO ROOSTERS!

[HDTONE]

N
Tonight we can stand up and show everyone that despite losing all those players and adding nobody, we still play with pride. We can make a stance tonight and let all know that we aren’t going to roll over and be the competition’s easy beats.

And reckon we all hope the boys stand up and even if they don't win they show that they aint going down easy....make the other mob work for their 2 points.

Blooding young blokes is real important but so many so soon. Dunno.

Just might be an Einstein move or not.

[rented tracksuit]

I believe and I don’t care if I’m wrong.

We will win.

[Chook2]

Little expectations this year

the biggest difference between us and broncos or bunnies who both folded and gave up last year after big injury tolls we have shown over the years we keep trying

missing 6 from last year $4m of the cap
another 6 players missing this year from our best 17 which is around another $3m and a few other squad members to make it 10 out for round 1 the odds are certainly against us

anyone know why butch is out? Also Vaa bros and Ioelu?

This would be the most inexperienced bench we have had

Broncos missing staggs and Mam but have hunt who will make them stronger
I just hope we stay in the fight and show something to build on
broncos by 12+

[Vasco]

With Butcher out if weakens our middle defence. Our defence out wide is already hopeless. It could get ugly.

[Thirteen]

What a difference between game day Round 1 this year and last.

Last year I was in Vegas very anxious about the game all day and couldn’t wait to get there.

This year I have no expectations whatsoever and don’t expect a win. I will be relaxed all day and won’t be looking at the clock at all.

So disappointing that it’s come to this.

[ism22]

And reckon we all hope the boys stand up and even if they don't win they show that they aint going down easy....make the other mob work for their 2 points.

Blooding young blokes is real important but so many so soon. Dunno.

Just might be an Einstein move or not.

Agreed... hope Robbo's strategy of saying 'yeeeah we don't need boys like May and Sitili coz we've got Steep, Whyte and Wong pays off.

I dunno how many games these guys need under their belt but we've got a lot of people who've played very little footy at this level (if any). Our bench of Losalu, Foketi, Steep and Dockar-Clay doesn't even include guys like Egan Butcher and Va'a. Can't lie... Losalu and Foketi may turn out to be absolute weapons but it's a very inexperienced bench. Even when Spencer returns, it's not as if we'll magically have an amazing bench.

Unfamiliar territory for sure. As Robbo's said, this is a chance for our leaders to step up. Who are they? Something like Teddy, Collins and Radley. I wish them all the best.

End of the day I'm a fan and will always back Easts to win. Dunno what to say other than that this season may well be one to show us who the real fans are. I reckon this game's gonna be one for the true fans... you watch this sorta thing knowing that there's some quality young talent in this squad.

I truely believe we can win this one. Probably not by a landslide, but IMO Brisbane has less quality than people like to think. See how we go but if we go out hard and set a decent platform then I reckon there's every chance we'll give the Drongos a run for their money.

[kakaruk]

Good experience for the young guys that’s about it really hope the broncos don’t put a cricket score on us

[Roosterfarian]

I could put up with the boys putting in a shift and losing by a try or less but I can’t dig blow out scores and passengers. Show some pride in the jersey please boys. We aren’t expecting miracles.

[mattyh]

go chooks , put up a fight , go down swinging .

[Lydon]

What a difference between game day Round 1 this year and last.

Last year I was in Vegas very anxious about the game all day and couldn’t wait to get there.

This year I have no expectations whatsoever and don’t expect a win. I will be relaxed all day and won’t be looking at the clock at all.

So disappointing that it’s come to this.

I totally agree mate

Without sounding ungrateful for all the success we’ve had,it’s a shame we have decided to burn a season and potentially end up near the bottom of the ladder and cop some smashing along the way.

But anyway,always a Rooster!

[Waylander]

You never know ... the Brisbane boys might be quite distracted with the cyclone potentially about to affect their homes and families.

I'm not optimistic, but we are the Roosters, and I never give up hope !!

[Spirit of 66]

The Roosters have clearly changed their strategy this year. We have an elite group of next generation players in the club and this year is all about giving them experience at the elite level. Three debutantes in one game? When was the last time that happened - and in a season opener? We'll have the capacity to bring in even more of these players too over the next couple of years - we have the cap to sign the best up and comers and they'll be aware that they can get a crack at the big time here too.

We still have a core of seasoned top-notch players in the squad, so we are going to be competitive, but we are going to be in the middle of the pack at best. So I am not expecting victory tonight, in fact I think we could lose by a a fair margin. But I hope fans don't write off the kids who'll be proudly donning the red, white and blue tonight for the first time tonight. They will make a heap of mistakes, but they probably need to.

[Bondicigar]

After a few rounds we will all know how big this rebuild needs to be.
will it include staff and systems ?
Hopefully this test exposes a solid foundation

[Spirit of 66]

Anyone remember the raw talent that Latrell showed for us back in 2016? Or Sam's brilliance in his first few games (despite weighing about 60kg and being a speed hump in defence)? I'm happy if we see a bit of these green shoots in 2025.