Hastings

[me_wantee]

Just saw a quick cut of an interview with Robbo talking about Friend. Made me puke. He judges Friend only by his tackle numbers and said he's really grown as a leader. Fark that. Robbo better wake up and be more willing to shake things up or he's goneski. More heart brake headed our way in 2017 and some big losses coming in rest of 2016.
Broncos are gonna kill us tomorrow night. Copley back at centre, boyds gonna have a field day.

Robbo isn't the only one who thinks like this.
I was listening to last weeks call on the radio, can't remember the station, might have been ABC grandstand and they were saying exactly the same. Awesome leader on and off the field, and were really, really talking him up about his massive tackle count.

[Mad_Rooster_in_GraceLand]

Sticky and robbo both got us the highest prize each, sticky never got us close to getting the wooden spoon.

We did finish second last in 2006 with a so called quality roster. They got more wins than this year 8 wins but it was a sh*thouse season man!

[Pass the Ball]

Now we just have find a club stupid enough to take Hastings...

I am sure someone will because we will be paying most of his salary next year...

[fletch]

at least Robbo finally admitted something today that the rest of us already knew, he mentioned our offseason preparation was unacceptable, not surprising given a fair chunk of our leadership group and team were more interested in partying than preparing properly for a football season.

before everyone jumps in with the "players have lives too crap", I don't have a problem with players going out and having a few beers with mates during the offseason, its the continual binge sessions that have to stop, you can't be an elite athlete and treat your body that way.

since we won the premiership in 2013 it seems Robbo has had a real tough time to get our guys to put in the required dedication to reach the summit once again, he has continually mentioned not all players being at the same motivation levels since winning the premiership.

hopefully the embarrassment of this disgraceful campaign might prick the pride of a few of our guys to once again focus on being great and 2017 can be a better year and a launching point for the next assault at a premiership in 2018 or 2019

[Cockadoodledoo]

at least Robbo finally admitted something today that the rest of us already knew, he mentioned our offseason preparation was unacceptable, not surprising given a fair chunk of our leadership group and team were more interested in partying than preparing properly for a football season.

before everyone jumps in with the "players have lives too crap", I don't have a problem with players going out and having a few beers with mates during the offseason, its the continual binge sessions that have to stop, you can't be an elite athlete and treat your body that way.

since we won the premiership in 2013 it seems Robbo has had a real tough time to get our guys to put in the required dedication to reach the summit once again, he has continually mentioned not all players being at the same motivation levels since winning the premiership.

Unless the club gets rid of those players then nothing will change. Most people don't understand that wrecking your body in the offseason doesn't effect what happens during the season. They can't grasp that in the pre-season when the club goes through its fitness training that if your body isn't close to peak condition, you won't be able to build up to the fitness levels required during the regular season.. Then they write stupid posts about players not performing in round 19 because they haven't had time to form combinations like the Storm.

[Mickie Lane]

Now we just have find a club stupid enough to take Hastings...

I am sure someone will because we will be paying most of his salary next year...

The Dragons will be odds on favourites I would think.

[Loyal roosters]

I watched the full interview. He backed friend as captain. That pissed me off but listen to the full
Interview. He said a team that has a guy making 70 tackles a game, isn't a successful team. The only way I see why he backed friend was he wanted the team to see they've slacken off. He has probably told them that at training but 20 rounds in and it's not sinking in. I think friends attack has been beyond poor. For a guy wasting most of his energy in defence he may have a reason. Look at the leading teams packs, they're working hard for the ruck.

[TheBigFella]

I really feel sorry for Hastings. Still young enough to play 20's but expected to shoulder the burden of an under performing team full of big names. The kid never had a chance with how Pearce left him alone & Friend with his petty antics.
With trialling Watson at 6, having Matterson & signing Keary, is Pearce under some pressure?

[Vasco]

Pearce still has another year left on his contract.

If we get the same rubbish early on in 2017 they will make a play for a big name for sure.

Who that is I don't know.

[Bigchook]

I really feel sorry for Hastings. Still young enough to play 20's but expected to shoulder the burden of an under performing team full of big names. The kid never had a chance with how Pearce left him alone & Friend with his petty antics.
With trialling Watson at 6, having Matterson & signing Keary, is Pearce under some pressure?

I have no doubt we will be made to pay for letting Hastings go. He will be a quality player elsewhere. This season was a nightmare from the get go. The only reason I'll accept for letting him go is that he is seriously off side with others and it's better for team harmony to move him on. I hope he goes to the dragons and kills it.

[Chook]

Pearce still has another year left on his contract.

If we get the same rubbish early on in 2017 they will make a play for a big name for sure.

Who that is I don't know.

Would you risk moving Pearce on end of this year and run with a Watson/Keary combo for 2017 and go hard for a name in 2018 if it's not working?

The question needs to be asked, if Pearce is rissoled will Jake Friend play nice with the replacements? Our captain has shown some real unprofessionalism this year.

Chook.

[Maxy Walker]

I have no doubt we will be made to pay for letting Hastings go. He will be a quality player elsewhere. This season was a nightmare from the get go. The only reason I'll accept for letting him go is that he is seriously off side with others and it's better for team harmony to move him on. I hope he goes to the dragons and kills it.

Nah. I doubt very much we'll ever regret moving him on. Will probably end up in SL. Just too damn slow for NRL

[Headless Chook]

Would you risk moving Pearce on end of this year and run with a Watson/Keary combo for 2017 and go hard for a name in 2018 if it's not working?

The question needs to be asked, if Pearce is rissoled will Jake Friend play nice with the replacements? Our captain has shown some real unprofessionalism this year.

Chook.

No.

Watson and Keary are both ball runners. Watson is only a runner, he has no kicking game and a very limited passing game. Neither are organisors at all. Why shuffle Pearce on when we are going to be forced to pay a fair chunk of his salary if he goes to another club? I doubt too many clubs would have the cap space for him on 2017. I think we wait till next season and see how Pearce and Keary are going. There's some quality off contract at the end of next season so there's no need to bury 2017 just yet

[Spirit of 66]

Even if next season is like this season Robbo will still remain till his contract is up, that's the mail I got.
But I cant see next season being like this season.

Wow. You must be connected to some very senior people in the Roosters hierarchy to have access to "mail" like that. For obvious reasons, that sort of information would normally be kept very secret by decision makers.

I'll put all your future posts at the top of my watch list and look forward to future inside information.

[ism22]

I don't like that it sounds like Robbo has already pre-determined ideas about 2017, if Watson outperforms Keary over the offseason he should be starting at 6, it shouldn't come down to pay or seniority.

Like it or not, Keary is a marquee signing. He's a premiership winning 5/8 who has been flagged by both QLD and NSW for future Origin selection.

If Watson proves he's better than Keary then I'm sure he will play 5/8. But I mean... why sign a marquee half on $300k+ if you reckon a youngster is better than him? IMO he's a really poor signing if he isn't better than Watson. Watson's zippy, but his kicking/passing would be well below Keary's standard for certain... his defence is also extremely suss.

I'm sure there will be a fair contest for the #6 jersey, but it's pretty clear who is gonna win.