DCE now linked

[Bates]

We are a much better team with Watson at 13. No point limiting his time by having him on the bench.

That's because we're currently not a serious contender.

[roostermcgregor]

Chook2,

DCE has done nothing at Manly for ages and they haven't seriously threatened for a premiership since 2013.

You have to admit that.

Why do you think Manly didn't offer him decent money for a renewal contract - because he is way past his prime.

He offers no attacking threat since he is too old, and is losing his speed.

I can't recall him being a brilliant defender, either.

He did nothing in the last SOO series and will do nothing again in 2025 Origin if he is picked for Qld.

Qld winning the 2023 and prior origin series had less to do with him, and more to do with Munster and other Qld players, or the underperforming NSW side.

Lets just see if your premiership winning spine of Robson, DCE , Walker and Teddy deliver us a premiership in 2026.

In 2026, I think the Chookpen knives will be out for this bloke to be drppoed to reserve grade

[Eggspert]

Key will be to quickly build a team that's ripe and ready to have a serious crack by 2027.

The serious crack has to be for 2026

A 2027 Premiership with Teddy & DCE's age might be pushing it a bit.

[Bates]

The serious crack has to be for 2026

A 2027 Premiership with Teddy & DCE's age might be pushing it a bit.

Timing is everything and one of the key elements when Cronk entered the fold. Ditto SBW.

We were ripe to win a comp! The big names helped us get over the line.

[ism22]

Chook2,

DCE has done nothing at Manly for ages and they haven't seriously threatened for a premiership since 2013.

The club's been completely mismanaged and he's carried them the whole time. His $$$ lifetime contract seemed like a joke at the time but is the best move they ever made, noting their management (and board issues) are extremely farked up.

Scope is a good one to talk to this. He's not gonna shyte on his club but he gives a lot of hints about what their board's like in his poddies. As a player you can only do so much when those at the top keep serving you lemons and playing musical chairs with coaches.

If DCE were in an anime he would be the modest, godlike samurai who never gives up. I hate Manly but there's a certain glimmer in his eyes that few other players have. He grinds the opposition's gears big time as he's a true warrior who never gives up and always gives you a poker face so you never quite know whether he's got a trick up his sleeve.

Manly have been bollocks for years and almost won outta nowhere in 2013 despite the quality of our roster. There is a reason why DCE keeps getting picked for rep teams... he's farkin good. Dunno about his personal life but I suspect he's all into clean living and his fitness age would be about 28. He's not done yet and there will most certainly be a bidding war for him if he leaves Manly.

[Eggspert]

Chook2,

DCE has done nothing at Manly for ages and they haven't seriously threatened for a premiership since 2013.

You have to admit that.

Why do you think Manly didn't offer him decent money for a renewal contract - because he is way past his prime.

He offers no attacking threat since he is too old, and is losing his speed.

I can't recall him being a brilliant defender, either.

He did nothing in the last SOO series and will do nothing again in 2025 Origin if he is picked for Qld.

Qld winning the 2023 and prior origin series had less to do with him, and more to do with Munster and other Qld players, or the underperforming NSW side.

Lets just see if your premiership winning spine of Robson, DCE , Walker and Teddy deliver us a premiership in 2026.

In 2026, I think the Chookpen knives will be out for this bloke to be drppoed to reserve grade

Of course there's no guarantee of a premiership with him but it's a sizable upgrade to what we have now.

Just like Cronk a change of scenery for DCE will benefit the Roosters along with his experience.

Manly probably hasn't had a decent roster since 2013 to be a serious contender...He could only work with what he had...didn't help him that Tommy Turbo is always injured.

[Bates]

Ponga makes more sense Imo and would be my target.

He can play five eighth next season and then slot into fullback when Teddy retires. By then Toby Rodwell will be ready for 1st grade. The majority of the current squad will be coming into their prime.

2027 Spine

Ponga
Rodwell
Walker
Robson.

[Mickie Lane]

Key will be to quickly build a team that's ripe and ready to have a serious crack by 2027.

Cherry ripe.

[mightyrooster]

Cherry ripe.

Double dipped chocolate cherry ripes are the best.

[Mickie Lane]

Ponga makes more sense Imo and would be my target.

He can play five eighth next season and then slot into fullback when Teddy retires. By then Toby Rodwell will be ready for 1st grade. The majority of the current squad will be coming into their prime.

2027 Spine

Ponga
Rodwell
Walker
Robson.

If we sign DCE it will be for 2026 & 2027 & Ponga is signed to the Knights till 2028.

[Bates]

If we sign DCE it will be for 2026 & 2027 & Ponga is signed to the Knights till 2028.

Ponga can leave tomorrow and be playing with us next weekend if he and Knights agree to call it quits.

If we have room in our cap to fit him in.

[A Country Member]

Double dipped chocolate cherry ripes are the best.

Please, this is a family site mr

[mightyrooster]

Please, this is a family site mr

Huh? It’s my favourite chocolate bar ACM.

[King Salvo]

There was talk about a Roosters player going to Manly but that's unlikely now.

Anyway...it's interesting times at the chooks atm.

I get people's doubt about his age...but what DCE will bring in experience & leadership will be very valuable.

If he does sign, there is also the bonus of being another player that will undoubtedly earn the wrath of posters here on a daily, weekly and game day basis.

[MKCS]

I rate Sandon Smith unlike most on here - he will be damn good playmaker one day, he is still only 22 and has played about 10x games in his proper position ffs
People need to learn patience with young halves not every one is Sam Walker

It took Nathan Cleary at least 4yrs playing every game at #7 to look great, Penrith fans wanted him gone early in his career saying he was only in NRL because of his dad.
Or does everyone forget he debuted in 2016 and Panthers sucked until 2020?

I think you're remembering incorrectly with Cleary's career.

2016 - Debuted mid season, nominated for rookie of the year, went into week 2 of the finals, was Penrith's highest point scorer.

2017 - First representative honour (City Vs Country), highest point scorer in the NRL, top tryscorer for Penrith, made it to week 2 of the finals again.

2018 - Became an Origin player winning the 2018 series at halfback.

2019 - Won another Origin series but did not play in game 3 due to injury. This was his worst season as a professional as the Panthers ran 10th.

---

In 2019 Cleary was 22 which is the same age as Sandon Smith. If Sandon had topped our highest point scorer a couple times, won a couple of Origin series' and been viewed as a future superstar then I'd be all for retaining him but he hasn't even done what Cleary did in his first year let alone had a comparable first four years.

Walker is still a young half who needs to develop his game not worry about pushing along the other half at this stage of his career

all 4 players arnt going to make it at the roosters anyway so 1-2 will head off for greener pastures if good enough as they all can’t play 6
and if sandon is the 6 as you say none of them will be there

Elliot is only 19 and rodwell 18 so they need time in juniors - nsw cup to develop their game
if they are good enough they will make it
although it’s good to have a succession plan you also require the now
we lost 1200games and loads of experience and didn’t replace it

100% this.

Rodwell has just turned 19, Elliot is about to turn 20. They clearly aren't ready for first grade yet but they'd definitely be pretty happy to have one of the greatest QLD halfbacks of the past 15 years around at training for the next 2 years to learn from and even perhaps play alongside

Also, Elliot is apparently a utility that prefers the halves so once he's NRL ready he could be getting experience on the bench or as a handy injury cover, him, Rodwell or anyone else coming through don't need to immediately play 6.