If we keep Anasta which of the off contract players are you willing to let go

[Guest]

Mini's contract is a veterans exception, it doesn't count towards our salary cap so letting him go is pointless. I would keep him over Braith anyway.

[Guest]

The interesting part of this thread to me is the number of people who are prepared to let Mini go when the whole Anasta whinge seems to be about loyalty.

Mini has been a Rooster his whole career, in first grade since 2000. Does Anasta deserve more "loyalty" than Mini? Or is "loyalty" irrelevant and the correct approach is to get the optimal squad to give us the best chance at success.

Agreed. I think Mini must stay until he retires which he will probably do when his form begins to slip. Mini was very good last season and must be full of confidence coming into the 2011 season.

[Guest]

There is no way i would be getting rid of Conn before Anasta. Had a booming year, Can play front and second row. Does the hard work. I would think his contract wouldn't be more then 150k a year!!

[Guest]

Lets be realistic - aside from Kennedy (who i project can do it in the future), we don't have one player that will fill Ryles' shoes in terms of workrate, defence and leadership.

I'm hoping Kennedy can mature quick smart otherwise we are up shit creek.

I agree with all that you printed Ryles must be one of our starting props. I doubt we wii throw Kennedy straight into the lions den, but would like to see him get plenty of game time on a weekly basis. Im not sure who our other starting prop should be, which means (to me at least) we need another hard nosed front rower in the Ryles mould. James Graham would be ideal, I just hope we sign him.

[Headless Chook]

I agree with all that you printed Ryles must be one of our starting props. I doubt we wii throw Kennedy straight into the lions den, but would like to see him get plenty of game time on a weekly basis. Im not sure who our other starting prop should be, which means (to me at least) we need another hard nosed front rower in the Ryles mould. James Graham would be ideal, I just hope we sign him.

James Graham would come with a hefty price tag. I can't see Smith wanting to spend a large chunk of his salary cap on a front rower who is unproven in the NRL.

[Guest]

Ryles, Riddell, Graham, Conn would be the first people to go.

1. Minichiello
2. Perrett
3. Kenny-Dowall
4. Linnett
5. J Carney/Blair
6. T Carney
7. Pearce
8. Kennedy
9. Friend
10. Myles
11. Nuuausala
12. Aubusson
13. Anasta

14. Watts
15. Cherrington/Leilua/Symonds/Tasi/Guerra/Cordner (all fight for one spot!)
16. Hargreaves
17. Masoe

[Guest]

I think Conn will get a spot before Guerra!!

[Guest]

This is the reason the club will wait! they will all be out to impress, it will benefit the club in the early games at least.I don't know yet how the preseason has benifited individual players, to comment could leave egg on your face! Also remember mini's time out of the game should extend his career,he is still by far our best fullback!!!!!!! our pack does not yet have a replacement for ryles upfront leadership.THIS YEAR WILL TELL ALL!!!!!!

[Funky Chicken]

The interesting part of this thread to me is the number of people who are prepared to let Mini go when the whole Anasta whinge seems to be about loyalty.

Mini has been a Rooster his whole career, in first grade since 2000. Does Anasta deserve more "loyalty" than Mini? Or is "loyalty" irrelevant and the correct approach is to get the optimal squad to give us the best chance at success.

Correct Weight!!! What a great post.

Mini is the most dinky die Roosters legend we have had since Ricko (i.e played ALL of his footy with the Roosters) and is still playing great football yet some people want to toss him out to show Anasta some loyalty.

Seriously people wake up and smell the coffee, Mini would be the last person I would be getting rid of at this stage. Name one fullback at the club who is even fit to tie Mini's bootlaces let alone fill his boots??? That's right none.

As for Anasta I've never been a big fan, sure he has done a few good things (But even Finch kicked a field goal to win an origin game, doesn't make him a great player), but for all the time he has been at the Roosters and all the money he has been paid I would hardly say he has been a good value signing.

I won't be signing any petitition and won't be losing any sleep if Anasta moves/is moved on. What would cause me to lose sleep however, would be to see Kane Linnnett, Boyd Cordner, Anthony Cherrington, Tom Symonds, Marty Kennedy or any of our other young guns playing for another club because we kept Anasta.

[Funky Chicken]

Also Ryles is still far and away our best yardage man, so if you get rid of him who are you going to replace him with??

Myles is a lock/2nd rower. Conn and FPN are also too small to play in the front row.

If 2010 showed us an achilles heel it was a lack of yardage up the middle, which really increased the pressure on our halves, which on occassions saw us come up with some really dumb plays. We need a rotation of four good props to get us across the advantage line to enable the halves and speed men to work their magic.

I personally would have;

1. Anthony Minichello
2. Justin Carney/Phil Graham
3. Kane Linnett
4. SKD
5. Sam Perrett/Steve Naughton

6. Todd Carney
7. Mitchell Pearce

8. Jason Ryles
9. Jake Friend
10. Martin Kennedy
11. Anthony Cherrington
12. Mitch Aubusson
13. Nate Myles

14. Anthony Watts
15. Mose Masoe
16. JWH
17. Joseph Leilua/Tom Symonds/FPN

[Guest]

Gee, we'd be playing a dangerous game getting rid of FPN.

He is very, very popular amongst the players.

Obviously, so is Braith, but I think we'd need to find another way to keep him, because cutting Frank Paul is not a good idea.

People think he's peaked - I don't. He's got much more to offer in terms of workrate and impact. At his best, he's the most dangerous forward we have.

[Guest]

also ryles is still far and away our best yardage man, so if you get rid of him who are you going to replace him with??

Myles is a lock/2nd rower. Conn and fpn are also too small to play in the front row.

If 2010 showed us an achilles heel it was a lack of yardage up the middle, which really increased the pressure on our halves, which on occassions saw us come up with some really dumb plays. We need a rotation of four good props to get us across the advantage line to enable the halves and speed men to work their magic.

I personally would have;

1. Anthony minichello
2. Justin carney/phil graham
3. Kane linnett
4. Skd
5. Sam perrett/steve naughton

6. Todd carney
7. Mitchell pearce

8. Jason ryles
9. Jake friend
10. Martin kennedy
11. Anthony cherrington
12. Mitch aubusson
13. Nate myles

14. Anthony watts
15. Mose masoe
16. Jwh
17. Joseph leilua/tom symonds/fpn

spot on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[Roosterfarian]

Gee, we'd be playing a dangerous game getting rid of FPN.

He is very, very popular amongst the players.

Obviously, so is Braith, but I think we'd need to find another way to keep him, because cutting Frank Paul is not a good idea.

People think he's peaked - I don't. He's got much more to offer in terms of workrate and impact. At his best, he's the most dangerous forward we have.

I think you play a dangerous game keeping someone around just because they're popular. At the end of the day, your footballing ability should be the main driver (not say he doesnt have any).

[Guest]

I think you play a dangerous game keeping someone around just because they're popular. At the end of the day, your footballing ability should be the main driver (not say he doesnt have any).

True, but that wasn't what I was saying.

He's a got a lot to offer, both on and off the field, for the team.

I think people underestimate that.