Friend needs to mend

[Tommy Smith]

I feel certain after that knock that 2021 will be Friend's last season.

Maybe a 2 month lay off followed by one last tilt at a Premiership.

[Johnny Tobin]

When did Teddy miss weeks??? They have history but not like Cordner and Friend. Teddy has had one head knock in 8 seasons of playing footy, hardly got an issue. Keary had problems in 2019 but has had a clean slate since

After he was ironed out against Parra. Then he failed HIA in Origin 3.

[Bansai Pipeline]

Friend is probably due to hang up the boots after this season anyway.

He's the kind of bloke who will never do it willingly though.

[Thirteen]

Friend is a small guy who nearly always lacks the size advantage to meet these bigger guys head on.

Wasn’t an issue for the first ten years of his career.

[mattyh]

at least we are well served for replacements with lussick and verrills.

[Johnny Tobin]

I feel certain after that knock that 2021 will be Friend's last season.

Maybe a 2 month lay off followed by one last tilt at a Premiership.

I think this is his last year anyway. No way Verrills would have hung around otherwise.

[The Skeez]

May have been his last game.
Why does he have to play out the year?

[Danish]

Tedesco had two bad head knocks in 2020 - One in a game vs Parramatta 2020 when Sivo ran over the top of him and in SOO 3 2020 when Papalli kneed him in the head.- He missed games after both incidents although I don't remember how many.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vli99SRmyhA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pJu_FNQFMI

bit tough to miss games after origin 3 given it was the last game of the season...

[Steakface]

I've been shitting on about this issue for almost 12 months and most Chook Penners last year were knocking me down and calling me a heretic.

Friend and Cordner are just about done...not far off. And JWH not far behind them.

Re Friend, the evidence was there for all to see when both Verrills and Lussick were retained, not to mention Lam being retained ALSO.

Lam also provides that extra utility option in the case of Walker coming through and coming good.

See the succession plan lads?

Blind freddy can tell you what's going on with an NRL First Grade roster most of the time. Just use logic.

[milanja]

What happens next week? Lussick starting, or lam to hooker and walker to debut?

[Lydon]

What happens next week? Lussick starting, or lam to hooker and walker to debut?

You would think Lussick to hooker would be the smoother transition so early in the season..

The experience he gained in First Grade last year was invaluable and will put us in good stead moving forward..

[The Lip]

I think Friendy out is a bigger out than most. His defence alone will not be replaced by Lussick or Verrills - not say they are poor defenders but Jake is one of the greats in that department. I hope he is okay.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

We are very fortunate to have guys like Verrils and Lussick to play at 9, probably best depth in the comp in that position.

[Paddo Colt 61]

Concussion is set to be a much bigger issue than it is at present. The Roosters are far more switched on about it than other clubs are, presumably because of the Corporate experience of people associated with the organisation. To their minds the liability involved with the duty of care looms large but, generally, the NRL is a ways behind Rugby and AFL on the issue. I see difficult concussion situations ahead for all teams especially since the new speed up rules and the fatigue factor that they entail will certainly lead to more injuries. Maybe a change to the 10m rule to balance things a bit more.
The kids love the high scores but at what cost?

[Waylander]

Tedesco had two bad head knocks in 2020 - One in a game vs Parramatta 2020 when Sivo ran over the top of him and in SOO 3 2020 when Papalli kneed him in the head.- He missed games after both incidents although I don't remember how many.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vli99SRmyhA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pJu_FNQFMI

What games were held after 20 November (SOO 3) that Teddy missed? Don’t make stuff up to suit your argument.