An Open Letter to fellow Roosters 'fans'

[Guest]

....why don't you get behind your team!

Thanks 13.

[SConcierge]

As a fan, I would of been very happy if SBGronk signed with us for 3 years and was not allowed to box. But the 'deal' Politis gave him in my opinion stinks and it will end in tears (especially in the long term).

Did you ever consider that to sign SBW and take out the boxing it might cost 400k more?
Have you considered that when a player signs a 1yr contract that he might be backing his ability to perform to get another contract and that most of the pressure is on the player signing that contract?
Have you considered that perhaps the plan is for him to finish his contract 31Oct each yr so he can pay 12 games for a million in Japan allowing you to sign that player the following here for half his value.

Mate have you considered anything????

[stsae]

As a fan, I would of been very happy if SBGronk signed with us for 3 years and was not allowed to box. But the 'deal' Politis gave him in my opinion stinks and it will end in tears (especially in the long term).

Many players back themselves and sign for a season. Petrol70calitre did it last season at the Wankos and he knew he was going to retire.

Haven't we been burned on many occasions giving long contracts??? Smiff, SKD are two I can think of off the top of my head.

What's the difference between $BW Yawnion/Boxing in the off season and what MANY great players did in the 80s, play the offseason in the UK??? Or when Poms came out here in their offseason??? 12 months of sport was still 12 months of sport. And players would be still doing it now if SL hadn't happened and the UK change their season to coincide with ours.

[Vasco]

Many players back themselves and sign for a season. Petrol70calitre did it last season at the Wankos and he knew he was going to retire.

Haven't we been burned on many occasions giving long contracts??? Smiff, SKD are two I can think of off the top of my head.

What's the difference between $BW Yawnion/Boxing in the off season and what MANY great players did in the 80s, play the offseason in the UK??? Or when Poms came out here in their offseason??? 12 months of sport was still 12 months of sport. And players would be still doing it now if SL hadn't happened and the UK change their season to coincide with ours.

Willie Mason
Mark O'Meley
Braith Anasta

I've got no doubt that it's only a one year contract so he has the option of earing some extra cash playing rugby.

I have no problem with that. If we want an elite player playing for us and having a real dig (unlike most others in the past) then we have to make some concessions.

We should be cheering this signing. Those bagging it will be cheering when we are playing finals football next year.

[Guest]

calm down ralphy, it just that when the media conference was done it would of been like 4am over there. cos u are such a big advocate against his signing i was waiting for your response. im in your old hunting ground the A.C.T. so things are slow here and i did jyst wake up.

Things are always slow there cobber. Actually I cant wait to get back. I love the place. (and Im getting a new boat when I get home!!!)

[Guest]

I think the reference to SBW not being a drinking/party boy is moreso directed at the period after these incidents you've mentioned. Didn't he convert to Islam in 2009 ......guess his lifestyle and partyboy/drinking ways are somewhat more subdued these days.

You could be right but history is all we have to go on and your past is what people know you for, not what may happen in the future. Looking forward to what may come on the positive side however.

[Guest]

Many players back themselves and sign for a season. Petrol70calitre did it last season at the Wankos and he knew he was going to retire.

Haven't we been burned on many occasions giving long contracts??? Smiff, SKD are two I can think of off the top of my head.

What's the difference between $BW Yawnion/Boxing in the off season and what MANY great players did in the 80s, play the offseason in the UK??? Or when Poms came out here in their offseason??? 12 months of sport was still 12 months of sport. And players would be still doing it now if SL hadn't happened and the UK change their season to coincide with ours.

Great point about the uk super league thing. Hadn't thought of that.

While I would love for him to be here for 3-4 years I don't see that happening, but ill take SBW for 1 yr and will enjoy watching him back in league

[Guest]

....why don't you get behind your team!

So by your logic, every time you critisise anything the Roosters do or you dissagree with something either on or off the field, then you are not a fan? You must be the most the positive person in the entire world!

Wow, I hope you play true to form and remain a 'fan' all year then.

[007]

[QUOTE=Vasco;261086]Willie Mason
Mark O'Meley
Braith Anasta
I've got no doubt that it's only a one year contract so he has the option of earing some extra cash playing rugby.

I have no problem with that. If we want an elite player playing for us and having a real dig (unlike most others in the past) then we have to make some concessions.

We should be cheering this signing. Those bagging it will be cheering when we are playing finals football next year.[/QUOTE]

There is a good chance we will be playing finals football regardless. As good a sportsman as he is, he is still an ex - dog. Let's face it, our past record with ex - dogs players isn't exactly encouraging.

In saying that, he's taken on every challenge thrown at him and has succeeded. It's the one year contract that bothers me the most. I just think the Roosters will be a force in 2014/15 and not next year. For mine - Williams signing is nothing but a marketing ploy.

By the way - you forgot to add Kouparidiot to your list.

[Guest]

Mate i normally wouldn't quote a post & then edit it,but i pretty much agree with the rest of it..

I just think the Roosters will be a force in 2014/15 and not next year.

I do too,but feel there is no reason we can't do real damage in '13..And that could be the catalyst for $BW re-signing..But get used to 1 year deals with the guy..

For mine - Williams signing is nothing but a marketing ploy.

You may well turn out to be right..But it is already one sensational marketing ploy with all the media coverage it's been getting over the last few months translating into 500 NEW members for the club in a matter of hours after the presser..

[bondi paul]

To add here, $BW did the crime and has done the time. He paid 750k in compensation to The Boggs and was forced to agree to sitting out of the game for 5 seasons.

What has Folau done to repair the damage he's inflicted to RL???

I see pRicky is whinging today that the NRL isn't moving quick enough to his liking regarding Folaus reinstatement to RL. All the day after $BW signed with us. Just to jump on the gravy train of publicity and to guilt the NRL into meeting Watsamattas demands.

$BW has paid for his breaking a contract. Paid more heavily than any other contract breaker I've ever witnessed. He has more than done his time.

Folau hasn't ever been questioned publicly about his intentions and his reasons for willingly being paid to establish a foothold for another code in one of RLs largest nurseries of talent, Western Sydney.

I would like to see Folau explain his actions. As a RL fan I don't understand why more isn't made of this issue.

Well said -

[Guest]

[QUOTE=007;261098]

Willie Mason
Mark O'Meley
Braith Anasta
I've got no doubt that it's only a one year contract so he has the option of earing some extra cash playing rugby.

I have no problem with that. If we want an elite player playing for us and having a real dig (unlike most others in the past) then we have to make some concessions.

We should be cheering this signing. Those bagging it will be cheering when we are playing finals football next year.[/QUOTE]

There is a good chance we will be playing finals football regardless. As good a sportsman as he is, he is still an ex - dog. Let's face it, our past record with ex - dogs players isn't exactly encouraging.

In saying that, he's taken on every challenge thrown at him and has succeeded. It's the one year contract that bothers me the most. I just think the Roosters will be a force in 2014/15 and not next year. For mine - Williams signing is nothing but a marketing ploy.

By the way - you forgot to add Kouparidiot to your list.

Agreed. While he will have an impact, it will be our halves next year that make the big diff to the side and our finals chances.

[Hawkeye]

I don't get the constant badgering of SBW for an apology. A few years back on two seperate occasions (one of which was an interview with Gus on the Footy Show) I heard him apologise to fans and the RL community in general ...how many apologies does the media want from him ?
Obviously his ex Scum teammates (or some of them) are still waiting for one as Hazem implied the other day, but as far as the Scum fans are concerned, he's apologised previously ....so why the media keep on hastling him for another is beyond me !

[davos]

Willie Mason
Mark O'Meley
Braith Anasta

I've got no doubt that it's only a one year contract so he has the option of earing some extra cash playing rugby.

I have no problem with that. If we want an elite player playing for us and having a real dig (unlike most others in the past) then we have to make some concessions.

We should be cheering this signing. Those bagging it will be cheering when we are playing finals football next year.

Don't forget Symmonds , Cherro and mini. Mini re-signed with our team in 05 for 3 or 4 years when he was at the peak of his game. In the next few years he went on to play 6-10 games for in excess of $1 million. Money well spent there

I guess we can add FPN to that list. Since signing his contract he has turned up to 3 games a year. The other 20 games he goes AWOL.

I posted a SBW thread a while ago where I said that we did not deliberately shed any of our players to fit SBW into our team. Next year we have many players coming off contract. If he turns out to be a waste of money we can just get rid of him the next year.

[davos]

I don't get the constant badgering of SBW for an apology. A few years back on two seperate occasions (one of which was an interview with Gus on the Footy Show) I heard him apologise to fans and the RL community in general ...how many apologies does the media want from him ?
Obviously his ex Scum teammates (or some of them) are still waiting for one as Hazem implied the other day, but as far as the Scum fans are concerned, he's apologised previously ....so why the media keep on hastling him for another is beyond me !

Anti-rooster cynicism, which always works in the media's favour.

We're like the fat rich kid at school that everyone hates and gangs up on. If SBW was going back to any other team in the NRL, there wouldn't be a huge fuss over an apology.