Will Pearce Play?

[Johnny Tobin]

JamesHMacSmith @JamesHMacSmith 28m28 minutes ago
Trent Robinson has revealed Mitchell Pearce could make an early return from injury v Storm #Aapsport

I think that means he will.

[Horry]

I think that means he will.

I think so too. Surely Hastings on the bench?

[Johnny Tobin]

I think so too. Surely Hastings on the bench?

I think so.

[E96_]

I know its a big game but that would be a huge risk, he did the injury on the 22nd of August and by game day 11th of September - 3 weeks.

I'd rather he rest and come back for the Prelim - surely the wise option.

[BUDDY]

I know its a big game but that would be a huge risk, he did the injury on the 22nd of August and by game day 11th of September - 3 weeks.

I'd rather he rest and come back for the Prelim - surely the wise option.

I think Robbo's thinking would be we need to win a game to get to the Prelim.

[dice]

I know its a big game but that would be a huge risk, he did the injury on the 22nd of August and by game day 11th of September - 3 weeks.

I'd rather he rest and come back for the Prelim - surely the wise option.

and risk unsettling a winning team in a sudden death game?

[Horry]

Star halfback Mitchell Pearce could make a shock return from a hamstring injury for Sydney Roosters in their NRL qualifying final against Melbourne on Friday.
Pearce was expected to miss up to six weeks after suffering the injury in the Roosters' win over Brisbane three weeks ago.
However Tricolours coach Trent Robinson revealed on Thursday the injury was healing faster than expected and the NSW Origin halfback was a chance to play against the Storm.
"I am hoping he might. I haven't stood here and said he is going to play, I am hoping that he might," Robinson said.
"He progressed pretty quickly at the start of the week. It is something we don't want to risk but we will see."
Robinson said Pearce's inclusion for the Allianz Stadium clash would depend on how well he fared at training on Thursday.
"He is pretty good, we will see how he runs today, he is a small chance."
However confirmation on whether he will play of not will probably not come until one hour before the 7.55pm kickoff on Friday when teams are required to be named.
Jackson Hastings has filled in at halfback in Pearce's absence and Robinson indicated the young playmaker would remain in the side on the interchange bench if Pearce was fit.
Storm skipper Cameron Smith has battled illness this week, but he flew with his team to Sydney on Thursday and was expected to play.
"I'm not too concerned, I think Cam will be playing," Robinson said.

[Johnny Tobin]

We have the best medical and rehab in the comp. if he is playing I am happy to believe he is ready.

[fletch]

so he has only been running for 3 days and they are going to throw him into a final against the Storm, find it hard to believe they would take such an extreme risk, if he breaks down again that is his season done and dusted.

[dj_sta]

and risk unsettling a winning team in a sudden death game?

This does not matter when it comes Robbo and picking his team. We saw how he selected SKD in place of Elliott just after he scored a hat trick. At the press conference he said every player in our squad of 25 has a role to play and they understand their role. So when their time comes they know what they need to do.

What he meant by that was Elliot (and in this instance Hastings) know they are simply filling in for an injured/unavailable player and when that player is deemed ready to play the substitute player will make way. It is something the players have bought into and they all understand exactly what's required of them. So that risk of unsettling a winning team is irrelevant.

However I do agree that rushing Pearce back may not be the best option, considering if we win we get the week off. But our medicos are one of the best in the NRL, ala Cordner in 2013, Fergo this year, etc. So I would trust their judgement.

Hastings will get his chance to guide us in a qualifying final next year.

[Bansai Pipeline]

I honestly couldn't care if he plays or not. Hastings isn't far off him, if not just as good.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, we let the wrong half go. Maloney has been exceptional.

[Danish]

We have the best medical and rehab in the comp. if he is playing I am happy to believe he is ready.

The roosters doc looks after my dad's knees and has treated me for a few things too. He prides himself on not sending our players our unless they are genuinely ready to go and hates league doctors who just patch them up and toss them back out half fit.

So yep, if Pearce plays then its only because they believe he is 100%.

Hastings would surely remain on the bench though as a back up in case but also simply because he has earned a bench spot in the past 6 weeks and Friend has shown that he requires a break here and there (his decision making when he gets tired falls off a cliff).

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I don't think he's ready...I urge you not to ignore my professional opinion.

[dice]

This does not matter when it comes Robbo and picking his team. We saw how he selected SKD in place of Elliott just after he scored a hat trick. At the press conference he said every player in our squad of 25 has a role to play and they understand their role. So when their time comes they know what they need to do.

What he meant by that was Elliot (and in this instance Hastings) know they are simply filling in for an injured/unavailable player and when that player is deemed ready to play the substitute player will make way. It is something the players have bought into and they all understand exactly what's required of them. So that risk of unsettling a winning team is irrelevant.

However I do agree that rushing Pearce back may not be the best option, considering if we win we get the week off. But our medicos are one of the best in the NRL, ala Cordner in 2013, Fergo this year, etc. So I would trust their judgement.

Hastings will get his chance to guide us in a qualifying final next year.

I predicted SKD will play against Souths well before it was announced because it was a low risk move to let SKD get settled back into the team in a low risk game. For the same reason, I consider Pearce playing against Melbourne to be the low risk move. Bringing Pearce back in a sudden death game is potentially a disaster with the team needing to get used to him back in the halves, and of course Pearce re-injury in sudden death game could be a disaster.

I will also say that Hastings role this year was to keep Friend fresh, and that Hastings will be dropped in favour of an extra forward at some stage with Maubs being the utility. All the more reason to make sure Pearce is proven to be 100% fit with real game time.


Having said all that, it could just be mind games from Robbo. If still at high risk of re-injury he won't play.

[Johnny Tobin]

The roosters doc looks after my dad's knees and has treated me for a few things too. He prides himself on not sending our players our unless they are genuinely ready to go and hates league doctors who just patch them up and toss them back out half fit.

So yep, if Pearce plays then its only because they believe he is 100%.

Hastings would surely remain on the bench though as a back up in case but also simply because he has earned a bench spot in the past 6 weeks and Friend has shown that he requires a break here and there (his decision making when he gets tired falls off a cliff).

You only have to compare our injury situation to rabbles like Penrith and Wests to realise we are streets ahead. It's not just luck.