Biggest Off Season Since Super League

[Bansai Pipeline]

With Sonny-Bill, Maloney, Jennings and potentially Luke O'Donnell all coming East side over the off-season, I can't remember a more thorough recruitment blitz from Politis.

It's gotta be up there with the Freddy, Sing, Pongia, Gourlay, Barnhill, Simons recruitment spend.

Did we get all of them in one season too? Or was it staggered? I can't remember.

[Vasco]

Ivan Cleary.

[Guest]

The Gus Era of signings happened over a period of time. The first was Matt Sing, Brad Fittler and Ivan Cleary in 96’ and then we signed Scott Gourley and David Barnhill for the 97’ split season. Then Ritchie Barnett came for 98/99, my memory is hazy but we were very active in the market between 95-99.

Scott Gourley retired a season or two too early in my opinion.

This current recruitment drive has been impressive especially considering the past two seasons the team has had. I think we’re still short in the Front Row stocks and i guess thats where LOD comes in.

[Guest]

We got Freddy, Sing, Cleary and John Simon in 96.
We then got Barnhill, Gourley, Jack Elsegood, Jacin Sinclair and Dale Shearer in 97.
Richie Barnett came in 98 and Pongia in 99.

[Guest]

True, but we are recruiting a lot smarter now than back then. I remember a time when all we tried to recruit was the "flavour of the month", it's still one of the reasons why every player off contract is associated with us.

Chook.

[Thirteen]

Definately our best off-season in terms of signings that I can remember.

[Guest]

Now let us have our biggest season since 2002.

[Guest]

The best thing about this recruitment campaign imo is that not only has every signing been considered, but we have not spent big on a few one season wonders or overrated hacks (although their performances still remain to be seen). Jennings is arguably the games best centre with Inglis now playing fullback when in form and is only 24 odd years old which is a massive get for us. There are few better value for money and consistent 5/8s than maloney. SBW is the most talented footballer and athlete of his time so you could hardly boast a better marquee player. LOD is the battle-hardened warrior that every pack needs. Moa is a good value player who has matured in his mid-20s as a prop and is looking to finally fulfil his potential in the NRL.

No has-been, transit lounge, retirement cheque recipients; all have plenty to prove and have not come for overs. If we can get them going, we are going to be a serious force in 2013.

[stephenj]

we all know were a sewrious contender this season, just wait till the other teams finally wake up to us! not for a long time i hope! so much depends on getting a good result in game one against souffs! its the start we need preferably with a cricket score our way, but i doubt thats possible these days, although souffs continue to rack up preseason injuries, the4y are still a dynamic side regardless of our thoughts towards the club, if we can contain inglis were looking very good! not long now, really looking fwd to sat night at gosford been too long since we had a game of footy!

[Bansai Pipeline]

I was just looking at photos of the squad training.

That's a gun team.

They could do anything.

[Bansai Pipeline]

I don't usually get carried away by pre-season hype, but shit. Look at this squad -

http://www.roosters.com.au/news-disp...-Week-15/68283

[Rooster_Luke]

It's definitely the most excited I have been for a new season to kick-off!

[DirtyHarry]

I just hope the coach is as good as we think he.

[davos]

I just hope the coach is as good as we think he.

He is relatively young, has achieved some recent success overseas and is wanted/liked by the majority of players, including Pearcey. I don't think that he would really feel he is under pressure and with a roster like this, I don't think we will finish anywhere outside the top 8.

Fairly easy start fir him tbh. Other coaches inherit teams with crappy rosters and fans/board members expect them to work miracles ala stephen kearney. I think that robbo will be here for at least 2 years, especially now that Bellamy has re-signed with the storm, even though according to slothfield he had already signed with us for 2013. Maybe he was talking about a different craig Bellamy.

[chook 56]

I just hope the coach is as good as we think he.

Time will tell, Callahan.