So it looks like Latrell may have played his last game for the Roosters

[Bansai Pipeline]

.

Also, I dont think anyone should underestimate the effect Keary has had on his career to date.

Totally. He's got amazing talent around him at Easts.

[bondi.boy]

It's a pity the situation has turned out this way.

It seems Latrell is in it purely for the money.

It also seems The Roosters are in it purely for excellence.

We only finished second because of all the points Latrell scored.
No Latrell, no Cooper...the excellence just plummeted.

The Roosters need to consider more than excellence...starting with; who's going to kick all the goals? who's going to replace Latrell?
Defence just plummeted without Tetevano.

[bondi.boy]

in terms of "Pin up boy"
Teddy>>>>Latrell

as for members, are you really suggesting people only signed up for him? that's a stretch.

They signed up in a large part because of Latrell.

[RoosterChick]

Ok silly idea for a replacement for Mitchell at centre but one that many here would love it to happen as a form of redemption. The player is still a fan saying earlier this year he always watches Roosters game to “see how the boys are doing, cuz...” and I’m sure he would want to return to a successful club to win again... RTS! Give him $1,000,000 cause he never has a day off!

Not a silly idea at all. Very unlikely to happen though. He’s settled in NZ, he’s a fullback which we can’t offer him and I feel he’s burnt his bridges at the Chooks.

[IRoosterManI]

They signed up in a large part because of Latrell.

nonsense.

[bondi.boy]

"Can't win without the cattle" - Jack Gibson

Our cattle are walking out the gate!

[IRoosterManI]

"Can't win without the cattle" - Jack Gibson

Our cattle are walking out the gate!

you were prob panicking the same way when Maloney,RTS and SBW left... yet we just raised new cattle and won back to back... winning isnt always about "having the cattle" its also about raising it and the club has done an amazing job of developing the younger guys to replace anyone who leaves... we will be fine.

[Rooster_6]

"Can't win without the cattle" - Jack Gibson

Our cattle are walking out the gate!

Will be a good test for Robinson. Last time we lost Maloney, Jennings, SBW and RTS we had a very tough time replacing them and had a woeful 2016.

I feel like there were a lot of lessons learned and this time around there has been a lot more work put into the next group of players ready to step up.

This is arguably the final test for Robbo before he is undeniably one of the GOAT'S. The ability to replenish a side in the salary cap era is a tough ask. Only Melbourne have been able to do it with any consistency.

[zac]

I support the club's position on this, but you never know how the future will turn out. Everything's a gamble to an extent. Losing Latrell isn't something you can do without big misgivings.

[ism22]

you were prob panicking the same way when Maloney,RTS and SBW left... yet we just raised new cattle and won back to back... winning isnt always about "having the cattle" its also about raising it and the club has done an amazing job of developing the younger guys to replace anyone who leave... we will be fine.

Agreed. With the salary cap the way it is, you've gotta be forward thinking.

Quite proudly, there's now a long list of players we have developed who have left for more $$$ elsewhere. IMO you've always gotta be on the hunt for somebody who will get better over the next 4 years to the point where they've earned an upgrade by the end of it.

Latrell. I dunno if he's earned the $1 million to stay with us. Maybe elsewhere, but:
- He was dropped from Origin.
- He slowed down towards the end of the season, missing out on most points + most tries.
- His kicking has been ordinary IMO (although stats say otherwise because a lot of tries are scored under the posts - IMO from out wide he'd be less than 50%).

End of the day, Teddy is on $1 million and he's the Dally M. He's also a fullback, scored the match winners for Origin + a grand final. Yes Latrell setup the GF try but you get the point... Teddy's earned his $1 million. Latrell is the best player in the game, but IMO at the moment he's playing at 80% so deserves the $800k to stay with us. $1 million a season is what the Doggies or Souffs can play as an incentive to draw him away from our club... like RTS, we don't have to match that incentive.

[zac]

Will be a good test for Robinson. Last time we lost Maloney, Jennings, SBW and RTS we had a very tough time replacing them and had a woeful 2016.

I feel like there were a lot of lessons learned and this time around there has been a lot more work put into the next group of players ready to step up.

This is arguably the final test for Robbo before he is undeniably one of the GOAT'S. The ability to replenish a side in the salary cap era is a tough ask. Only Melbourne have been able to do it with any consistency.

Good point. It's hard to get a reading on 2016. Bellamy, who doesn't have Robbo's success rate in the biggest games, has never coached a team to so many losses.

That said, with so many guys leaving after 2015 and key players injured/suspended you'd argue that it was a perfect storm. Also, even without Latrell (and I haven't given up on him staying a Rooster) we have a very competitive team next year.

[Waerea-Beast!]

Losing Latrell will suck, but the way some of you talk about him is crazy. Losing Teddy would be a disaster, losing Keary would be a disaster.

We're very fortunate in to be in the position we're in, we have enough strike to still be a top team without Latrell (who lets be honest, despite a couple of purple patches was MIA for a lot of this season). How must guys like Toops feel? He's on a lot less coin than Latrell has been offered, has stayed here for less than he could've gotten elsewhere, a 50-100k pay rise to him would be far more significant than what Latrell will get by going elsewhere. How must others, who haven't chosen to test their market value, feel?

Ultimately what stinks the most to me, is that 800k/yr for a 22 year old isn't enough. How is 800k/yr not enough to set up his family for life?

If it was deemed insulting or a lowball offer, then he's better off going elsewhere. It goes completely against the ethos and culture Robbo has built.

[ChookMaster]

I think you will find it we have released the statement to save face. I believe the bunnies have already agreed terms with latrell and are just waiting for the whole burgess farce to clear up. They’ve been very quiet on this Souths and while I hate to admit it i think they have lured him over. It would be painful to see him wear red & green.

[ROC181]

I think you will find it we have released the statement to save face. I believe the bunnies have already agreed terms with latrell and are just waiting for the whole burgess farce to clear up. They’ve been very quiet on this Souths and while I hate to admit it i think they have lured him over. It would be painful to see him wear red & green.

If he goes there, I wonder if they will put him at fullback and how long will that last? If Latrells demands are also about what position he plays then that will end up in tears.

[Bansai Pipeline]

I can already see the press conference where Inglis presents him with his jersey. Barf.