We need a new 7 and 9.

[4 the all in brawl]

We need a new attitude more than anything else. Hard nosed and disciplined. A change of personnel won't mean anything unless we become mentally tougher.

Hence, the problem, our 7 and 9 set the standard. Sure they try hard but both are not mentally tough giants.

In fact our 9 is one of the captains so the buck kind of stops with him. Pearce was our highest paid player and half so he has a lot of accountability in setting our standards too.

Cordner being captain is also responsible but you can see he tries to lift the team. Probably this co-captain shit prevents anyone from stepping up and taking ownership of the team, might offend the other captain.

[Game Fowl]

Probably this co-captain shit prevents anyone from stepping up and taking ownership of the team, might offend the other captain.

Our current Captains lead by example and are inspirational but do they plan and scheme?

This appears to be our problem what we need is an ON FIELD GENERAL to direct the team around the field , with the vision to set up plays in advance and the respect of the team to carry out the instructions to the letter , without error or consideration to personal Glory.

Like it or not the current successful formula used by top teams is - 10 Soldiers who do their job without error and scant regard for self preservation, willing to take a hit for the great good, An Intelligence Officer who looks for weakness and devises a plan, then relays to the on field General who then gets the on field Navigator to steer the Soldiers around to where the Snipers can get a clean "kill shot" - No Heros just everyone following the plan.

See if you can identify these roles in the last 2 remaining sides and see who does these roles for us.

[Mickie Lane]

The only bloke that should be considered to play hooker is Radley.
Pearce will be the half back whilst ever Robbo is coach so just drop the subject.

[Thirteen]

For some reason 9s don't run the ball as often as they use to. Think about guys like Steve Waters and Benny Elias and Wayne Marshall and how often they used to run the ball.

[Kingbilly]

I think Pearce is seriously underrated and overrated here.
He can play but has things he needs to improve on. His kicking game is one example.
Yet every time we come back or win the close ones he is involved and yet gets no credit for it by some.
Alot of the other havles people (and the media) salivate over are missing so much more to their games than Pearce is..
Ash Taylor has the possibility to be terriifc but he has alot of deficiencies esp in defense. Shaun Johnson can't defend and is also injured more than not

Friend I am a little dissappointed in, his service is sometimes sloppy and his attack not necessarily part of any structure but sometimes it does work . another but, his defensive work is invaluable

[ism22]

I think Pearce is seriously underrated and overrated here.
He can play but has things he needs to improve on. His kicking game is one example.
Yet every time we come back or win the close ones he is involved and yet gets no credit for it by some.
Alot of the other havles people (and the media) salivate over are missing so much more to their games than Pearce is..
Ash Taylor has the possibility to be terriifc but he has alot of deficiencies esp in defense. Shaun Johnson can't defend and is also injured more than not

Friend I am a little dissappointed in, his service is sometimes sloppy and his attack not necessarily part of any structure but sometimes it does work . another but, his defensive work is invaluable

I guess the thing is... what are our options at his price? I just dunno who you would pick over Pearce.

All things considered, who has an all ‘round better game than Pearce? Will they play for the money he’s on? Will they fit within our team culture?

You’d have to twist arms to get (for example) Widdop and Peats to replace our #7 and #9. I don’t think that combo would be an improvement. The only better halves I can think of are QLD w@nkers who wouldn’t give a shyte about our club. That or either untested youngsters (who would take a few seasons to wear in) or oldies who would only give us a year or 2 anyway.

[4 the all in brawl]

Our current Captains lead by example and are inspirational but do they plan and scheme?

This appears to be our problem what we need is an ON FIELD GENERAL to direct the team around the field , with the vision to set up plays in advance and the respect of the team to carry out the instructions to the letter , without error or consideration to personal Glory.

Like it or not the current successful formula used by top teams is - 10 Soldiers who do their job without error and scant regard for self preservation, willing to take a hit for the great good, An Intelligence Officer who looks for weakness and devises a plan, then relays to the on field General who then gets the on field Navigator to steer the Soldiers around to where the Snipers can get a clean "kill shot" - No Heros just everyone following the plan.

See if you can identify these roles in the last 2 remaining sides and see who does these roles for us.

Storm
IO Slater
On field General Smith
Field Navigator Cronk

Cowboys Assuming commamder Thurston is not availbale
IO Coote
On field General Morgan
Field Navigation Morgan and Granville

Roosters
IO Gordon and Keary
On field general ???????
Field navigation Pearce

[Mickie Lane]

I reckon the Storm by 13 plus. The fairy tale is over for the Cowboys & the Storm will be victors.

[Mad_Rooster_in_GraceLand]

I thought the Stehr dude wanted a new 69

[Mad_Rooster_in_GraceLand]

I reckon the Storm by 13 plus. The fairy tale is over for the Cowboys & the Storm will be victors.

Agree man,

Storm by about 18.

[Mad_Rooster_in_GraceLand]

Pearce is here to stay dudes.

400 plus games for the Roosters whether you like it or not.

[mattyh]

I think some as stated above are missing one major factor , pearce/ friend seem to fit within the roosters team culture, at least our team seems happy unlike others...look at the titans for evidence of what someone who doesnt fit in can do ...

[<ME>]

Pearce is a good player, just not in the vein that Trent wants him to play. He can't manage a game, defends great for a HB in a right edge corridor (I believe hardest to defend - especially our right edge which is so transient Manu, ferg, Guerra, Aubs merry go round) and is a good runner of the ball and can play eyes up footy when that is the focus. Everyone wants to play and win like Melbourne-just won't happen with Pearce.

Friend is unbelieveable what he gets through on footy field-but won't win a premiership with him at 9 any more. Well at least where we are relying on him to be a decision maker, kicker or attacking 9. I'd take a cheeky swap with Michael Lichaa.. Des stuffed him..

[Steakface]

Hence, the problem, our 7 and 9 set the standard. Sure they try hard but both are not mentally tough giants.

Yet our 'mentally weak' 7 and 9 somehow won an NRL comp together !!

If they were mentally tough enough to get the team over the line in 2013, they sure as hell would meet standards of 'mental toughness' in 1st grade football, you would think.

(Holy s**t, where do people come up with this stuff ...............)

[Steakface]

I guess the thing is... what are our options at his price? I just dunno who you would pick over Pearce.

All things considered, who has an all ‘round better game than Pearce? Will they play for the money he’s on? Will they fit within our team culture?

You’d have to twist arms to get (for example) Widdop and Peats to replace our #7 and #9. I don’t think that combo would be an improvement. The only better halves I can think of are QLD w@nkers who wouldn’t give a shyte about our club. That or either untested youngsters (who would take a few seasons to wear in) or oldies who would only give us a year or 2 anyway.

Mate, i think you've hit the nail on the head, and i agree with you.

With the exception of Cronk, you are not going to find a better style of half in the NRL that compliments a running 5/8 like Keary (yet).

Piss will do a job for this team better than anyone else, especially when you take into account the tight knit playing relationship forged w Cordner, Friendy etc (also a very underrated aspect IMO). Our results as a club (with the exception of last year) reflect that.