21 MAN SQUAD v MANLY

[The Sack]

It's an interesting one. Effectively I guess it just means they swap sides of the ruck.

Possibly gives cleaner kicking options with Drew a right footer and Lammy a lefty. Which will be important on Friday.

Our left side was a bit off the pace with and without the ball last week. I'd like to see Lam bring his short kick game in which he has, occasionally too. Mixes up the attacking options rather than just block play after block play.

I know Tom T can pop up anywhere but think he prefers left side attacking raids, which will threaten our right side defence.

If they do swap, and I reckon the team will change come kick off time, why would you show your hand to the to the opposition? Doesn’t make sense.

[redwhiteblue]

Actually I have read someone saying that today that they are ‘tough markers and if we don’t win we have achieved nothing and would be disappointed because we play for trophies blah blah blah.’ Funny though cause I think that person had an issue with my opinion on a certain player.

This season is a massive achievement in proving to the rest of the competition that we are leaders in resilience, succession planning, giving young unknown players a chance to grow and learn from the best due BOTH our co-captains having to retire on medical grounds, adapting to playing all over the place in another state, being meticulous about sticking to Covid protocols (unlike some clubs), no bickering or squabbling amongst the family groups, no dramas in the leadership group, playing for each other every week, (watch Toups check in on Keighran right at the end of Saturday night's game - it gives me goosebumps at how much these guys care for one another's welfare) not to mention the hospitalisation for Drew and Joey..the fact that fans from other clubs were sending our players their best wishes and prayers openly on social media really says a lot..I'm in awe of where the Roosters are right now, let alone where they will be late on Friday night..that outcome is not going to change my opinion about this season at all. They are turning themselves inside out to please us fans..some of these guys didn't even know each other that well at the start of the season either..right now JWH is with Sam for the judiciary hearing as he's worried about him being so young and inexperienced at all of this.

I consider all of the above an achievement but I'm soft in the heart and head apparently..suits me fine!

oh and they can go and read Davo's post too..even journos I've never even heard of are in awe of what the club has achieved this year..

[Steakface]

He is a key piece defensively though does a lot of the dirty stuff Friend used to do that doesn't get noticed by the average footy fan.

Second this.

Anyone who doesn't rate Nat Butcher quite simply doesn't watch Rugby League in enough detail.

It's a massive inclusion.

Big doesn't always matter - Radley aint big. Neither was Sam Moa. Tbh, some of the best middle forward to have played the game in recent years like Paul Gallen and Matt Scott were not necessarily THAT big.
A package of great leg drive, low center of gravity, discipline and desire can all eclipse massive size.

[SamKerrSimp]

Who cares who the ref is, dead set the victim complex is off the chart sometimes. Robbo smashed the nail the other day: this is the roosters we don't do underdog tags at any point, we don't do excuses, we don't do woe is me and conspiracy theories or extra curricular motivation because putting on the jersey and going out to win regardless of who is playing is all the motivation you need.

Exactly..good post.

Some grumpy ones on here complaining that they'll be disappointed if we don't go beyond Friday night and that it would be considered a failure of a season. Really? I'm so proud of this club RIGHT NOW regardless of what happens after this...go stand in the shoes of the fans of boring dysfunctional clubs who've won nothing in years and then complain. My dad used to say if you give some people the moon they'll whinge that you didn't go fetch the stars for them too..

This team has shown how tough they are and have shown an unprecedented level of digging in the trenches and fighting until the end, some of these fans in this thread and in others are the exact opposite of what the players have shown this year. It's an embarrassment to read sometimes and really gives life to the stereotype of the piss weak Roosters fan that's only watching when the team is winning well. Bagging any player this is year is soft, we're in the finals in the final 6 with half the team missing and people still want to complain.

Even if we get smashed 60-0 for me this is a top tier season equal to any premiership; I've not seen anything like it before. I can remember sitting in front of the coaches box all year in 2009 just praying for tonight to be the night the team has a dig and they've done more than that this year.

[Bansai Pipeline]

This season is a massive achievement in proving to the rest of the competition that we are leaders in resilience, succession planning, giving young unknown players a chance to grow and learn from the best due BOTH our co-captains having to retire on medical grounds, adapting to playing all over the place in another state, being meticulous about sticking to Covid protocols (unlike some clubs), no bickering or squabbling amongst the family groups, no dramas in the leadership group, playing for each other every week, (watch Toups check in on Keighran right at the end of Saturday night's game - it gives me goosebumps at how much these guys care for one another's welfare) not to mention the hospitalisation for Drew and Joey..the fact that fans from other clubs were sending our players their best wishes and prayers openly on social media really says a lot..I'm in awe of where the Roosters are right now, let alone where they will be late on Friday night..that outcome is not going to change my opinion about this season at all. They are turning themselves inside out to please us fans..some of these guys didn't even know each other that well at the start of the season either..right now JWH is with Sam for the judiciary hearing as he's worried about him being so young and inexperienced at all of this.

I consider all of the above an achievement but I'm soft in the heart and head apparently..suits me fine!

oh and they can go and read Davo's post too..even journos I've never even heard of are in awe of what the club has achieved this year..

Great post.

But have to laugh at the mental image of JWH taking Sammy to the judiciary.

[Johnny73]

Ben Marschke in then.

[King Salvo]

Possibilities

Ben Marschke in for Sam Verrills

Lachlan Lam to Hooker with Sam Walker to half and Drew Hutchinson to 5/8- with either Ben Marschke / Ben Thomas or Naufahu Whyte added to the bench.

Dale Copley into the team at Centre with Adam Keighran moving to Hooker

[Bahrain Rooster]

The optimist in me reckons Marschke will not do anything flashy, just give the ball to the halves and Teddy and we’ll win. The pessimist in me reckons he’ll have a shocker. Bloody hope it’s the first one.

[Lydon]

Based on the last month of football what does everyone think Sammy V brings that Ben Marschke doesn’t..

I think Verrill’s has the better running game but any other attributes?

[TeddyGoat]

Marschke always seems to get unfairly targeted by the refs. No doubt he will give away multiple set restarts or penalties, simply due to the fact he is an easy target for the refs to pick on

[RoosterChick]

With Sam not getting the downgrade I guess Marschke is at 9. Main problem is his defence. He hasn’t played much and will probably tire after 20 minutes. Maybe bring Walker then with Lam to hooker to give Ben a rest.

[zac]

either way has to mean more game time for walker

[Jacks Fur Coat]

The issue for Robbo now is meshing in two guys in the squad who won't get the 80 minutes. Bench rotation crucial.

Lam is a fit bugger can go the distance. I'd start Marschke and hope he plays first 50-60 min. Lam starts 6 then switch to 9. Walker plays last 20-30 minutes. Or could switch Lam /Walker roles.

And pray no injuries!

[Team Evil]

The issue for Robbo now is meshing in two guys in the squad who won't get the 80 minutes. Bench rotation crucial.

Lam is a fit bugger can go the distance. I'd start Marschke and hope he plays first 50-60 min. Lam starts 6 then switch to 9. Walker plays last 20-30 minutes. Or could switch Lam /Walker roles.

And pray no injuries!

This is why I think Walker will start, I was happy with him coming off the bench but now Lam must be on the bench.

[Yak]

It's an interesting one. Effectively I guess it just means they swap sides of the ruck.

Possibly gives cleaner kicking options with Drew a right footer and Lammy a lefty. Which will be important on Friday.

Our left side was a bit off the pace with and without the ball last week. I'd like to see Lam bring his short kick game in which he has, occasionally too. Mixes up the attacking options rather than just block play after block play.

I know Tom T can pop up anywhere but think he prefers left side attacking raids, which will threaten our right side defence.

I think it’s more symbolic than anything. To say to Hutchison, “this is your side to lead”. Hutch’s role is undoubtedly the most pivotal in the contest. He needs to dictate Tommy’s terms with his kicking game. Robbo is asking for another career-best game from him. I also think it means Walker can come in as “five-eighth” and isn’t mentally burdened at all with the task of leading the team around. Lam starts off the bench, Marschke comes in for Verrills and they tag team the hooking role. We’ll need to trouble them on the edges because our middles won’t be as effective off Marschke, but in saying that no doubt all this time training with first grade since the start of the year under the best coaches has developed Ben’s game so he may offer a sharper pass and an improved ability to tie up markers than he did earlier in the season.

The boys will no they were off last week and from memory it’s been a while since we’ve been off two weeks in a row. It may not be enough to win but I’d back our boys to get an upset after what I’ve seen from them this year.