The Real Worst recruits of the past Decade - Don't bother changing my mind.

[Louis N]

For something different and I couldnt be farrked posting a new thread but I wanted to mention Stapo, Mitchell Paul and Charlie Taylor. Not for being shit recruits but for being Chookpen Legends who have influenced the way Rugby League is played and being the benchmark for excellence on this forum.

I think Mason was the worst recruit in the past decade.

For a so called international and rep player, he was the main reason why we ended up with the only spoon in my lifetime.

That game against the Cowboys, which we apparently threw, has what looks like his fingerprints all over it.

For someone to suggest that Teddy and Cronk if we fail to make the GF deserve to be mentioned in the same company as the likes of Mason suggests to me they do not have a grip on reality or they are a really poor judge of Rugby League talent, maybe both. LargeMike get a grip, I am talking to you.

Stapo seems to cop as much bagging as Kouparitsis. I don't think he cracked first grade though. But he surely has become an urban legend.

And Charlie Taylor...well his fate was always destined for Love Island.

Charlie was a throwback to the comb in the shorts style player, always brushing back their hair. Come to think of it we had one of those guys as a regular first grader and he's still doing it, just for another club these days..

[ism22]

Worst signings for the club in regard to having ability and scant respect for the jumper and team, definitely Anthony Watts & Paul Carter, plus Mason and Carney after first season. But here's a team purely from the last decade that would certainly get the fans off their seats...and heading for the exits.

FB Johnathan Ford
WINGERS Justin Carney, Michael Oldfield
CENTRES Adam Henry, Jordan Tansey
FIVE EIGHTH – Jayden Nikorima
HALF BACK – Jackson Hastings
LOCK – Jack Bosden
SECOND ROW – Lagi Setu, Willie Manu
PROPS – Jason Bateri, Rohan Ahern
HOOKER – Piggy Riddell

Bench
Nick Kouparitsis
Stanley Waqa
Tinirau Arona
Ben Jones

Coach unfortunately would have to go to Freddie for 2009 debacle, with plenty of player's help especially Nate Myles, Mason, O'Meley and Pearce at the Central Coast hotel that August.

IMO that list is mostly just cr*p players. However, none of them cost us much money and none of them really failed to reach their potential. I mean you are basically saying that the following could win a premiership with good coaching:

1. An NYC winger
2. Steroid dwarf
3. Random pom on a swapsie (he is the only FB you named BTW sso swap him with that NYC dude)
4. Big dude who I thought was a back rower? Remember the days when we recruited 10+ back rowers and the lesser ones got made centres?
5. Was apparently fast once upon a time
6. Nepotism at its best!!!
7. Crack sniffer
8. Bateri (WTF is that anyway?)
9. Clown from Merge taking his retirement cheque from us
10. Ahern (another WTF is that?)
11. Setu (generic big islander)
12. Willie Manu (generic big islander)
13. Bosden

All I see is a team of flogs who (aside from Nikorima) were paid nothing and never had the goods for 1st grade.

[novice chook]

Wanka Mason wins by a stretch. Not only because he rarely performed on the field, but the cancer he caused off it took us a few years to cure, and nearly ruined a few young blokes' careers before they started because they followed his lead.

I lost most of my respect for Fittler because he allowed Mason, Myles and Co free reign to cause chaos which ultimately lead to our wooden spoon in 2009. He actually contributed to the mess they caused.

[Louis N]

IMO that list is mostly just cr*p players. However, none of them cost us much money and none of them really failed to reach their potential. I mean you are basically saying that the following could win a premiership with good coaching:

1. An NYC winger
2. Steroid dwarf
3. Random pom on a swapsie (he is the only FB you named BTW sso swap him with that NYC dude)
4. Big dude who I thought was a back rower? Remember the days when we recruited 10+ back rowers and the lesser ones got made centres?
5. Was apparently fast once upon a time
6. Nepotism at its best!!!
7. Crack sniffer
8. Bateri (WTF is that anyway?)
9. Clown from Merge taking his retirement cheque from us
10. Ahern (another WTF is that?)
11. Setu (generic big islander)
12. Willie Manu (generic big islander)
13. Bosden

All I see is a team of flogs who (aside from Nikorima) were paid nothing and never had the goods for 1st grade.

You got it ISM...that's exactly what they are. In fitting with the 'worst recruits' title of the thread. I probaly went a bit hard on Rohan Ahern who came through the system and did play for .Qld U-19's. So take Tonga off the bench and throw in James Pickering. I included who I thought we're the most expensive damaging duds (Mason, Carter, Watts) prior to that team at the top of my post.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

You got it ISM...that's exactly what they are. In fitting with the 'worst recruits' title of the thread. I probaly went a bit hard on Rohan Ahern who came through the system and did play for .Qld U-19's. So take Tonga off the bench and throw in James Pickering. I included who I thought we're the most expensive damaging duds (Mason, Carter, Watts) prior to that team at the top of my post.

I disagree on Bosden, Louis...good player only buggered up with injuries.

[Louis N]

I disagree on Bosden, Louis...good player only buggered up with injuries.

I don't think he really had the size for the style of game he played. Alright Jack..I can take him out. I think he might have actually scored a try in Newtown's premiership win and been injured in the process and took no further part in the game. testing the memory bank here.

But it means I would have to move Jason Bateiri to lock and pull Abraham Papali into the squad. I had high hopes for Abe but he never seemed to be able to play out any decent minutes. and wasn't the most mobile nor willing defender. So he'd fit in well.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I don't think he really had the size for the style of game he played. Alright Jack..I can take him out. I think he might have actually scored a try in Newtown's premiership win and been injured in the process and took no further part in the game. testing the memory bank here.

But it means I would have to move Jason Bateiri to lock and pull Abraham Papali into the squad. I had high hopes for Abe but he never seemed to be able to play out any decent minutes. and wasn't the most mobile nor willing defender. So he'd fit in well.

Lol....sandshoe.

Now you know how Hedge feels mate, with your team/ratings being critically analysed and getting some holes punched in it.

[John Corey]

I remember us poaching Sandy Campbell who was a slim absolute flyer with the Dogs. Over the off season he put on about 10kg of muscle, bulked up big time and was terrible for us.

For players that were given one last hurrah, when they should have been at home with their slippers on, you can't go past Paul Langmack

[Headless Chook]

I remember us poaching Sandy Campbell who was a slim absolute flyer with the Dogs. Over the off season he put on about 10kg of muscle, bulked up big time and was terrible for us.

For players that were given one last hurrah, when they should have been at home with their slippers on, you can't go past Paul Langmack

Paul Dunn and Dale Shearer??

[The Skeez]

Chris Anderson

[Cockadoodledoo]

Based on Large Mike's criteria it is an open and shut case as to who is the Roosters worst recruit. It would have to be Brad Fittler. He would have chewed up a bigger slice of the cap than Cronk or Tedesco. It took him 5 seasons to make a Grand Final, 7 seasons to win one and in all his 9 seasons at the Roosters, he only won one with three Grand Final losses. Surely on that basis, this makes Brad Fittler the Roosters worst recruit in history. I am sure I have Large Mike's agreement on this one.

[Louis N]

I remember us poaching Sandy Campbell who was a slim absolute flyer with the Dogs. Over the off season he put on about 10kg of muscle, bulked up big time and was terrible for us.

For players that were given one last hurrah, when they should have been at home with their slippers on, you can't go past Paul Langmack

HA HA HA Paul Langmack....right on John. I was only considering the last decade as the post suggested. But I'll have to think about 'in my time'. Langmack was a classic. An old mates act that one.

[Louis N]

Lol....sandshoe.

Now you know how Hedge feels mate, with your team/ratings being critically analysed and getting some holes punched in it.

Yes but I do'n't mind as I wasn't a fan of the players selected anyway Jack. if we take away the ten year limit...this team would take some beating. I don't know how much of a beating but it could get ugly fast.

Lest we remember.

FB – Graeme Appo
WINGERS - Stewart Davis & Wilfred Williams
CENTRES – Tony Cosatto & Russell Gartner
FIVE EIGHTH – Alan Geelan
HALF BACK – Brad Burke/Sam Obst (couldn't separate)
LOCK – Steve Hage or Paul Langmack
SECOND ROW – Bill Dart & Steve Funnell
PROPS – Paul Mares & Cam Cherry – the long and short of it.

Bending the Bench

Charlie Tonga
Willie Brown – pretty sure Anderson's idea
Chris Beattie
David O'Donnell

COACH – Chris Anderson

[LargeMike]

I dont know how i missed it. Anasta is probably the worst of all.

paid a motza and produced nadda.

that FG against Tigers has almost given him an out. Who could forget the 1 hit up game against the Merge on Anzac day as a 2nd rower

[Thirteen]

Mick Delroy. When we signed him the back page of the Tele read,
“Roosters Snare Parra Star.” Star WTF!?