Interview with SKD ...

[BUDDY]

Thanks Deano. We appreciate what you are doing. I have no other questions but just a leg up. Don't ask questions that everyone else asks these guys and we already know the answer to. It must be boring for them to be asked the same things over again. That makes it difficult but the difference with working for the Daily Crap and a good journalist. There are some very good questions here. Good luck and look forward to reading your interview.

[Guest]

Thanks Deano. We appreciate what you are doing. I have no other questions but just a leg up. Don't ask questions that everyone else asks these guys and we already know the answer to. It must be boring for them to be asked the same things over again. That makes it difficult but the difference with working for the Daily Crap and a good journalist. There are some very good questions here. Good luck and look forward to reading your interview.

Thank you Buddy, advice duly noted, and I very much agree with the sentiment of your post. Thank you.

[Guest]

Is he aware of his rocks/diamonds playing style?

Given his frame, how come he doesn't use it in defence? He isn't a very aggressive defender.

Props if you actually ask those questions. I don't think they will offend him.

I hope you have a few curly questions. Every other interview is the same and doesn't try to reveal new or in depth information.

[Chook Norris]

how confident are the team against St George?

to whom does he credit his development?

What does the think is the main cause of our recent red-hot form

[Spirit of 66]

How far should a girl go on a first date?

[Guest]

Do you get sick of the "backpacker" tag?

How does the team keep from getting over excited at this end of the season?

What really happened last year?

Whose side have you taken on the Global Warming debate on the chookpen forum?

Are Steggles pissed off that the Roosters are going so well?

At the start of the season where did you think you might finish on the ladder?

[Pass the Ball]

Do you have a bigger schlong than Jason Ryles...???

[Guest]

What have been the key changes this year, both on and off the field, compared to last year?

How has the positional change from wing to centre impacted on your performance this year?

Name some players coming through to watch out for.

[Adolf Fittler]

<post deleted due to inapproprate content for this thread>

[Guest]

Your old man coaches our Harold Matthews cup, does he have higher aims with regards to coaching and can you see both of you at the Roosters in 5 years?

Chook.

[Guest]

So this afternoon I interviewed Shaun Kenny-Dowall and long story short, below is the transcript (or is it manuscript?) haha, of the entire interview. Shaun is a very down to earth guy and it was an absolute pleasure to get the chance to sit down with him, one on one.
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Me: Firstly, thank you Shaun for your time today, it is a great honour to interview you, thank you very much for the chance/opportunity.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: No worries mate, anytime. It’s great to be here.

Me: Back-track 12 months ago, and the Sydney Roosters were languishing at the foot of the table, the only thing that you were in contention to win was the wooden spoon. Fast-forward to today and you and the boys are coming off five straight for the first time since 2004 and are a real chance at September glory. For you, what key factors have brought about this major change?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: There has definitely been a change of attitude in all the boys. There is a new-found mateship between us, and the confidence instilled into us by the coaching staff has simply been inspiring.

Me: Just on Brian Smith, what do you think his main qualities are as a coach?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Without a doubt, his biggest asset is the experience he brings to the table.He has been around for a very long time, so he knows exactly what he is talking about.

Me: From a fan perspective, he definitely looks very calm and collected in press conferences and media related functions, but can he “fire-up” at you, the players when it’s called for/needed?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Absolutely. He knows when the boys need to be “rocketed” and he blows up if and when necessary.

Me: What has Brian Smith done differently to get such a big improvement individually and indeed as a whole to the team in such a short time, compared to previous coaches?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Brian has different coaching styles and methods, he adapts to everyone’s different personalities and knows exactly how to communicate with each individual.

Me: Does the coaching staff do much individual “one on one” personal coaching on development in skill improvements?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Oh and how! Endless video sessions every week!

Me: The Sydney Roosters seem much fitter as a unit this year, was the pre-season much different to years gone by, and if so, how much ‘harder’ was it?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Well, it actually wasn’t harder at all, in actual fact it was a lot easier compared to pre-seasons in seasons gone past. The key to us being a much fitter unit is that the programs were a lot smarter and the weights were a lot harder.

Me: Although, generally amazing in attack, at times in the past there have been certain skeptics in the media that have criticized the defensive part of your game. This season, not only have we seen improvement to an already brilliant attack (as seen in a four try salvo against the Broncos, the first Roosters player to do that in 35 years), but we have also seen improvement from you in the defensive part of your game. What do you credit or to whom do you attribute your improvement in defense to? Do you get extra motivation from supposed ‘doubters’?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Yeah, well obviously we have a defensive coach and an offensive coach so I have done a lot of work with both of them on the training paddock to both strengthen my strengths and fix up my weaknesses.

Me: You recently made the change from wing to centre, and many people are wondering how you have found it, and do you prefer it?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Yeah, I am absolutely loving it mate. I much prefer centre as I get a lot more of the attacking ball and I am not so isolated in defense.

Me: When are you off contract with the Sydney Roosters? What are your immediate/short-term plans? Do you still see yourself as a Rooster in five years time?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Yes, I hope to stay at the Roosters for a long time to come! I am on contract until the end of next year, so we will just have to wait and see what happens.

Me: Who is the fastest player at the club?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Kane Linnett, without a doubt.

Me: Many Rooster fans are wondering, are there any youngsters coming through the side that you have particularly been impressed with and if so could you name them?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Kane Linnett and BJ Leilua. Both are promising young players that are just starting to make names for themselves. Those two are brilliant ‘younger’ talents.

Me: Last year wasn’t the greatest year ever if you were involved with the Sydney Roosters, whether it was as a player, fan or a coach. What really happened/went on behind the scenes?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Look mate, I prefer not to look into and dwell on the past, I much prefer to keep focused on the present and future—the things I can control. In short, there were way too many dramas.

Me: If you had to pin-point one or two major reasons for this late-season surge in form, what sticks out for you?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: There is no doubt in my mind that it comes down to two things: a) self belief within the team and b) our training ethic.

Me: Being on such an amazing run of form, I imagine it would be very hard to contain yourselves and not look too far ahead as a group. How do you and the team keep from getting over excited at this end of the season?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: It’s really quite simple— we are just taking it one week at a time and not listening to the hype that the press is creating.

Me: Finally, Shaun, you come up against the acclaimed “bench-mark” of the competition, St. George Illawara at the Sydney Cricket Ground this Sunday afternoon, what are the team’s feelings ahead of this key and decisive game? Are you and the boys confident?

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: Yeah, we are very excited. We’ve won five in a row and we are raring with confidence and belief. Personally, I can’t wait to get out there. Me and the boys are hoping for 40, 000+ and hopefully the majority of them will be cheering on us boys! (big grin)

Me: Thank you Shaun for your time; it has been a great experience and privilege to interview you today, thank you.

Shaun Kenny-Dowall: No worries mate, anytime. It’s been a pleasure; you’ve done a top job.
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Hope you all enjoyed that! Go the Roosters!

[Guest]

Good interview.

Thanks for the info.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Great stuff.. Not sure about the use of the red and green lol... tbh I heard SKD a couple weeks ago interviewed on Sports Today on 2UE and expecting him to sound like a bit of an air head with lots of ums and ahs he actually spoke quite well and is clearly a very down to earth and humble person.

[Guest]

nice deano great interview

[Guest]

Well done Dean top interview.

Chook.