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DAMNING statistics reveal the Sydney Roosters’ premiership hopes are being slaughtered by referees and lopsided penalty counts this season.
For the third time this year, the Roosters played a “perfect’’ football team during the second half against Melbourne Storm on Saturday night when they were not even awarded one penalty.
That’s 120 minutes of football in which their opponents have not made one single infringement.
In four away games this season the Roosters have received just two second-half penalties — both of them against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The startling statistical analysis provided by Fox Sports also shows the club hasn’t won a penalty count since round 23 last year — which is 13 straight games.
The Roosters cop another penalty. Picture Gregg Porteous
The Roosters cop another penalty. Picture Gregg Porteous
More alarmingly, the stats reveal that since 2013, EVERY team in the NRL has conceded their least amount of penalties in games against the Roosters.
Surely that is the proof they are being “picked on’’.
In 67 games in the last three seasons, the Roosters have won just 12 penalty counts (17 per cent of their matches).
Roosters coach Trent Robinson would not comment when I spoke to him because of the pathetic new rules banning clubs from commenting on referees.
The stats on the Roosters’ penalty plague.
The stats on the Roosters’ penalty plague.
Since he has been in charge, the Roosters have gone without second-half penalties in 10 games.
So let’s get this right. No one at the Roosters is complaining about the number of penalties they give away.
They play an explosive, power game which can be high risk in conceding penalties when working players over at the play-the-ball and other areas of the game.
It has become a trademark of their footy and they accept that.
What they can’t come to grips with is the obvious impression that referees, while policing the Roosters so heavily, are ignoring their opposition’s infringements.
It is almost impossible in the modern game to believe even the most disciplined teams can go 40 minutes without one infringement.
The Roosters have a shocking record in terms of penalties.
The Roosters have a shocking record in terms of penalties.
Yet it has happened three times in seven weeks.
It’s interesting if you ever listen on Sports Ears when the Roosters are playing.
You could get the impression that one side is being refereed more than the other.
Lines like “play it with your foot” or “watch the 10” or “hands away from the play-the-ball” or “move away’’ seem to be directed at the Roosters more than their opponents.
What we can reveal is that every week in preparing for games, the refs have as part of their preparation a session they call “around the grounds’’.
They sit around a room and discuss the different habits and idiosyncrasies of players.
Sydney Roosters press conference
Sydney Roosters press conference
While it is fantastic they are doing their homework, it could also lead to suggestions they are going into games each week with preconceived ideas.
For example, if say five Roosters players have been spoken about during “around the grounds’’ and only two Storm players, does that mean the Roosters will be watched more closely than the Storm?
It certainly appeared to be the case on Saturday night against the best referee manager and negotiator in the game, Cameron Smith.
Not getting any penalties obviously affects field position and becomes a bigger issue when you lose your best metre-eater Jared Waerea-Hargreaves like the Roosters did.
Three losses on the trot now leaves the Roosters under enormous pressure in the race for the top four in the finals. They will also lose players to the Kangaroos and Origin.
Someone has to blow the whistle on the penalties before it’s too late.
● REFEREE boss Tony Archer did not return phone calls or text messages yesterday.
James Maloney reacts to another penalty. Picture: Brett Costello -
I now love Rothfield.
Let this be the first of many media references to this "anomaly" so that the responsible parties are held to account.#We Stand with ourJewish community#Comment
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Some of those stats are astounding.Comment
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DT still don't deserve our clicks!
At least someone in the media is bringing this to attention.
I have followed Rugby League for a very long time and this is the first time I have ever seen Buzz go in to bat for our club.
Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks?Comment
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Buzz isn't that bad, he's actually been quite complimentary since we won the comp and Smiffy left.Comment
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I know it feels good to read these sort of articles and everything, but do people honestly think its going to change anything?
We are one of the least supported teams in the comp combined with one of the most hated. As such, no one is going to give a shit about these sorts of discrepansies.
We will just have to cop it on the chin and continue to be frustrated with this piece of shit sport that used to be a great game.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I am over league. The roosters are my favourite team in the world, but rugby league is no lonher my favourite sport. I just put up with it in order to support my team. If the day ever comes that the Roosters no longer exist, then that will be it for me for this monkey sportComment
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Wow onya Buzz!!!
I smashed my Sports Ears last season as i was sick and tired of hearing the refs coach and not penalise the opposition.
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Agree. I certainly don't love the game like I use to. If not for The Roosters I wouldn't be watching.Originally posted by Danish View PostComment
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This is certainly a case where an 'enemy' of an 'enemy' is a friend. Rothfield hates the NRL management because his mate Gallop got punted. The only problem is his articles are likely to fall on death ears as the feelings between Rothfield and the new leadership team are mutual. It is sad because what he is saying is largely true about David Smith and his bunch of overpaid merry men and certainly with regards the refs. Sad also that we have to rely on Rothfield for calling things out as they are, rather than anyone associated with the club.
Like Hollus said, he hasn't been too bad to the club since Smith left. I get the feeling that he respects Robbo a lot based on articles written in recent times and also the club has been very smart with both Robbo and Politis giving the DT access to the club including interviews from both. Rothfield's hatred was largely due to Super League and hence, Politis and Gould. Gould is long gone and now a Panther and the stance on Politis has softened, probably due to him standing up to the new independent commission as well. Also as an aside he had been a long term critic of Smith, he is gone also so it seems the hatred has gone.
Unfortunately with the NRL it won't be an easy battle to win. It is clear they want the success to be spread around and having the Roosters as a perennial premiership threat does not suit their business model. They would prefer clubs like Souths and Brisbane with larger supporter bases to be up the top and let other clubs fight over the scraps. Having people like Greenberg and Richardson at the helm isn't going to do us any favours either....Comment
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Get commenting, start liking.
We need to give this article legs... no one else is ever going to write it.
The facts are there and backed up by conclusive statistics.Comment
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Whenever you feel like throwing the game away. Just think that the filthy Vermin would love nothing more than to see us relocated to the central coast and for them to swallow up our catchment area.Originally posted by Danish View PostComment
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It would have been better had stats going back a lot longer were added too. This would highlight the issue spans numerous coaches and playing staff.Originally posted by Rooster_6 View Post...Comment
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lol rugby league week has an article about the Roosters being bent over going online in the morning as well, seems like the mole and buzz rothfield are teaming up.
don't think it will make much of a difference overall but I bet we don't go penaltyless in any more second halves in the next couple of weeks.Comment
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