is Robbo playing russian roulette with a busted Mini

[The Brain]

I'm OK with it for the next two weeks. You aren't really advocating dropping Mini are you?

Let's not forget that along with those mistakes, he does a lot of good things too. He's still the best bomb defuser in the club and a good defender. He is our top try scorer this year. He organises the defence and inspires his team mates.

We all know his deficiencies. But, at this point in the year and in his magnificent career, I'd rather risk losing the comp than disrespect a club legend.

Mini has had a few clangers .. stiff shite better now than later.
If I am right when he came back from injury last year and sailed all the way to the GF he didnt make one blunder.
Attack wins games and defense wins titles
We defend a lot and statistically mini has a ton of work to do out the back.
Coach probably needed to do what he has been doing all year thats giving Mini breaks swap with RTS last week .
I say let the whinging go and it is what it is.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

JT...you can't describe yourself as a passionate supporter and at the same time call for our legend Easts captain to retire with 2 games left and want to import a woman bashing thug in his place?

Is this disconnect lost on you?

[Guest]

Well said TCB. I really can't think of any other player who has achieved what Anthony has for nearly 2 decades now, including the comeback from the heinous back injury, and continues to inspire others from all walks of life. The only trash talk I've heard from people against Anthony is on this very forum. Fans of all clubs and other codes, even people I know who have no interest in sport, seem to know him as a champion and all round good guy. I'm ashamed and embarrassed by what some of our own spoiled fans toss up in here week after week. It's come right down to the wire this week, his career is coming to an end and this is the best some on here can come up with..what a way to thank him for his many years of service and loyalty..

Agree completely. Mini was not alone out there the last 2 games. He took JT's kicks (as mentioned by someone very eloquently earlier in this thread) exceptionally well and I am positive he didn't singlehandedly lose our 30 point lead, he was not Robinson Crusoe in the mistakes department. He will come through for us this weekend as he is such a professional. I am fairly positive that Robbo knows Mini and the options he has with this position better then the fans here on this forum.

[Guest]

It's not that mini is busted or injured, it's his decision making and execution that are the worry.

He had no problems getting to Thurston's kick, or keeping it in play, but his decision to pass and the execution of that pass was pathetic to say the least. The week before to not take the ball out of play, another extremely poor decision.

If he was busted he'd have an excuse, but as a 300+ game player, he really needs to lift his decision making and execution if we are to go on and go back to back.

Chook.

[Johnny Tobin]

I'm OK with it for the next two weeks. You aren't really advocating dropping Mini are you?

Let's not forget that along with those mistakes, he does a lot of good things too. He's still the best bomb defuser in the club and a good defender. He is our top try scorer this year. He organises the defence and inspires his team mates.

We all know his deficiencies. But, at this point in the year and in his magnificent career, I'd rather risk losing the comp than disrespect a club legend.

It's too late to drop him. That should have happened at the start of the season. Now we just have to grin a bear it.

[Johnny Tobin]

JT...you can't describe yourself as a passionate supporter and at the same time call for our legend Easts captain to retire with 2 games left and want to import a woman bashing thug in his place?

Is this disconnect lost on you?

He is a legend for sure. I think he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next season.

But he is well past it and he should only be in the team on merit.

I would certainly prefer Inglis. That doesn't mean I excuse his behaviour.

[Johnny Tobin]

I'd rather risk losing the comp than disrespect a club legend.

I have a lot of time and respect for you 66 - but that is downright idiotic.

[ROC181]

It's too late to drop him. That should have happened at the start of the season. Now we just have to grin a bear it.

Correct and why keep going with the attack? It's not like you're going to change things here. Many of us know your opinions so just leave it to that rather than behave like a cornered cat replying to every poster who disagrees with your opinion? Move on to another topic because you have exhausted your views on this one already.

[Danish]

I don't have any agenda Jack. I am just a passionate roosters fan expressing an opinion - just like everyone else here. Of course, you have access to an ignore button if you don't like it.

And TCB, I haven't had an employer for a long time. A very long time. More than 10 years. Though I know what you are getting at. I suppose you think it was acceptable for that braindead goose moderator to display my personal information? If so, how about you give us yours?

I am staggered by one thing. Your fullback is supposed to be your most safe player. Ours has made more mistakes than any other player in the NRL. Any other player. Not just any other fullback. Yet almost everyone here is ok with that.

You often go on like you are speaking as an authority figure with inside knowledge (that usually turns out to be garbage) rather than simply giving your opinion. Thats probably what rubs people the wrong way.


Mini is a club legend, and he is the best captain we've had for a long long time. He's made a few errors in the last 6-7 weeks, but thats his only blight. He's scoring more tries in these last 2 years than most fullbacks in the comp and his importance to our side is beyond reproach.

I will say right now that if RTS were at fullback all year, we would not have made it this far. Frankly I'd question if we would even have made the 8. Thats not a slight on RTS, that is a compliment to the importance of Mini.

[Johnny Tobin]

You often go on like you are speaking as an authority figure with inside knowledge (that usually turns out to be garbage) rather than simply giving your opinion. Thats probably what rubs people the wrong way.


Mini is a club legend, and he is the best captain we've had for a long long time. He's made a few errors in the last 6-7 weeks, but thats his only blight. He's scoring more tries in these last 2 years than most fullbacks in the comp and his importance to our side is beyond reproach.

I will say right now that if RTS were at fullback all year, we would not have made it this far. Frankly I'd question if we would even have made the 8. Thats not a slight on RTS, that is a compliment to the importance of Mini.

If I rub you (or anyone else) the wrong way then find your way to the ignore button.

And your last comment speaks for itself.

[Johnny Tobin]

Correct and why keep going with the attack? It's not like you're going to change things here. Many of us know your opinions so just leave it to that rather than behave like a cornered cat replying to every poster who disagrees with your opinion? Move on to another topic because you have exhausted your views on this one already.

I understand that my opinion differs from yours. I am willing to live with that.

[Spirit of 66]

I have a lot of time and respect for you 66 - but that is downright idiotic.

Likewise JT. But I was referring to the proposition of dropping Anthony Minichiello for this game. That would be both idiotic and shameful.

I agree there is a risk attached to Mini. There's also a risk attached to SKD and, on recent form, even SBW.

Life is full of risks. I'm just saying I will accept this particular risk in these circumstances. Part of that involves the respect that is owed to Anthony.

[Guest]

This thread reminds me of the Perrett discussions. Many were fuming that we were getting rid of the "clubman" when the reality was we had the slowest backline in the comp and were never going to win until it was addressed.

Take the Mini situation for what it is. Up until Pearce and Maubs became eligible for the long service discount mid-year, we had Mini almost for free. Mini has served his purpose leading a very young team. But now it is time to go. Even Mini has acknowledged that much.

With RTS a year wiser, Nene MacDonald coming through, and Ferguson playing next year, I suspect we will miss Mini as much as we miss Perrett.

I will say right now that if RTS were at fullback all year, we would not have made it this far. Frankly I'd question if we would even have made the 8. Thats not a slight on RTS, that is a compliment to the importance of Mini.

If JT is on one end of the delusional scale, you are definitely on the other end. We were coasting all season fitness-wise and still managed to take out the minor premiership.

[Danish]

If I rub you (or anyone else) the wrong way then find your way to the ignore button.

And your last comment speaks for itself.

The stats speak for it as well. Prior to Mini's retirement announcement, we were running in 4th position with a win loss record of 11-8.

After his retirement announcement we won 5 straight games to end the season minor premiers with a 16-8 record, and in those 5 games scored a whopping 166 points compared to only conceding 64.

That's how much sending Mini out a winner means to this team.

Do you think if Mini had been dropped at the start of year and was finishing up his career for the Jets that we'd have the same sort of motivation that the side has shown in the past 2 months? Not a ****ing chance.

On top of which, RTS has shown nothing in his time in first grade to show that he is above making the same errors that Mini has made occationally this season. Indeed Roger has dropped his share of bombs and conceded some dumb tries through failing to clean up grubbers as well. Again, not a slight on RTS as people make mistakes, its just laughable to think that removing the captain and soul of the side would do anything but greatly damage the team this year.

[Danish]

If JT is on one end of the delusional scale, you are definitely on the other end. We were coasting all season fitness-wise and still managed to take out the minor premiership.

We won the minor premiership off the back of 6 consecutive wins to close out the season. We stopped "coasting" months ago.