Rooster news

[Easts75]

Last three times we have played the Storm Olam has towelled Joey up

Olam shows up every week ready to rip in at a fraction of the price of Joey. Manu is a beast when on but is going to command stupid money now, I dont think the club will feel the need to try and match overs to get.him to stay

[Mickie Lane]

Mate Manu is ten times the centre Olam is

Olam is a better more consistent centre than Joey but Joey is a really good FB & winger where Olam is not.

[Tommy Smith]

What do you like about his game? And make it tangible, not “he’s dynamic” “he’s x-factor” etc

What I love about Brandon Smith is that he's a high energy player who inspires his teammates - similar to our own Victor Radley - who is always involved in the game and can affect the outcome on both sides of the ball.

Smith is a unique attacking threat. He would have to be the most dangerous dummy half ball runner I've seen from close range; as evidenced by his 11 trys from 24 games last year. When he runs from close range he's just so damn hard to stop. And if you do stop him, it was still probably a run that saw him poke his nose through and scatter a couple of defenders like ten pins which leads to a compromised defensive line for the next play.

Smith is also versatile and can play lock forward (and even prop). Basically just shove him on the field as a middle forward and he'll run like a lunatic and go forwards every time. Rugby League is a game of momentum more the ever before with the 6 again rule - how often do teams score 3 or 4 quick unanswered trys - and Brandon Smith is basically Mr Momentum as an attacking threat.

Also he's a defensive weapon. The dude just loves the contact and smashes blokes. There aren't many defenders like him who love to hit; and you can't underestimate how much these guys inspire their teammates and set the tone for the defensive line. The Storm missed him so much when he went off after 20 minutes in the Prelim.

Seriously can you imagine him on the field at the same time as Victor? They'd be the Bash Bros. But more than that they're the two most dangerous attacking middles in the game and would wreck opposition teams.

I would love for us to keep Joey Manu, but I wouldn't at all be upset if come 2023 we effectively replaced Manu/SST with Momo/Brandon Smith on the books.

[Bondicigar]

Joey Manu will be a massive loss.
he is not even close to his full potential yet imo.

Hes 25 and Keary will be 30 next year , give him what he needs to stay and groom him for Kearys Jersey down the track.
Manu needs his workload increased at centre to get the roosters moneys worth out of him.
Similar to how turbo was used in origin

[Horry]

From SMH

Manu puts Roosters in awkward position


Joseph Manu has told the Roosters he wants to change positions as he attempts to negotiate a rich new deal – and the club may need to bow to his request to keep him.

The Roosters have been discussing last-ditch tactics to prevent Manu testing his value on the open market from Sunday. Players who are out of contract for 2023 are able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1. Central to the Roosters’ planning to keep Manu will be a meeting with coach Trent Robinson, who is due to resume work this week.

The Roosters tried to tie Manu to a new deal, but he wants to be considered a five-eighth or fullback. The Roosters have those positions well covered with stars Luke Keary and James Tedesco.

Manu has been told he has to be patient if he wants to secure his future at the club in either of those positions. He could be forced to wait three years for an opportunity. If that’s a non-negotiable, he will need to look elsewhere.

What will work in the Roosters’ favour is the way they cared for Manu after he busted his cheekbone against South Sydney in round 24. The club rallied around him and showed just how much he is valued. Manu will be offered similar money to what the Roosters were willing to pay Latrell Mitchell – $800,000. The Roosters won’t match the $1million-plus deals he will be able to get elsewhere.

[milanja]

Move teddy to hooker to accommodate Manu.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Really...this new world of players calling the shots and only wanting to play a certain position is very weird.

What happened to "I'll play wherever the team needs me"?

Imagine a player approaching Jack and saying...I'll play but only at fullback. Would've copped a boot up the Khyber pass en route to reserves, at best.

[JAF]

What I love about Brandon Smith is that he's a high energy player who inspires his teammates - similar to our own Victor Radley - who is always involved in the game and can affect the outcome on both sides of the ball.

Smith is a unique attacking threat. He would have to be the most dangerous dummy half ball runner I've seen from close range; as evidenced by his 11 trys from 24 games last year. When he runs from close range he's just so damn hard to stop. And if you do stop him, it was still probably a run that saw him poke his nose through and scatter a couple of defenders like ten pins which leads to a compromised defensive line for the next play.

Smith is also versatile and can play lock forward (and even prop). Basically just shove him on the field as a middle forward and he'll run like a lunatic and go forwards every time. Rugby League is a game of momentum more the ever before with the 6 again rule - how often do teams score 3 or 4 quick unanswered trys - and Brandon Smith is basically Mr Momentum as an attacking threat.

Also he's a defensive weapon. The dude just loves the contact and smashes blokes. There aren't many defenders like him who love to hit; and you can't underestimate how much these guys inspire their teammates and set the tone for the defensive line. The Storm missed him so much when he went off after 20 minutes in the Prelim.

Seriously can you imagine him on the field at the same time as Victor? They'd be the Bash Bros. But more than that they're the two most dangerous attacking middles in the game and would wreck opposition teams.

I would love for us to keep Joey Manu, but I wouldn't at all be upset if come 2023 we effectively replaced Manu/SST with Momo/Brandon Smith on the books.

Well said TS and I 100% agree!

[mattyh]

Joey Manu will be a massive loss.
he is not even close to his full potential yet imo.

Hes 25 and Keary will be 30 next year , give him what he needs to stay and groom him for Kearys Jersey down the track.
Manu needs his workload increased at centre to get the roosters moneys worth out of him.
Similar to how turbo was used in origin

the pity is , if he leaves the roosters, he may never realise that potential

[Kelby]

Move teddy to hooker to accommodate Manu.

Move Teddy to 5/8?
Keary to half.

[mattyh]

Move Teddy to 5/8?
Keary to half.

what about walker ?

[Rooster1908]

Move Teddy to 5/8?
Keary to half.

Teddy's not even close to a 5/8 , kicking game is week at best.If you were to move anyone move Manu to 5/8 and leave Teddy at fullback but for me Manu either leaves or bides his time for Ted or Luke to retire

[milanja]

Really...this new world of players calling the shots and only wanting to play a certain position is very weird.

What happened to "I'll play wherever the team needs me"?

Imagine a player approaching Jack and saying...I'll play but only at fullback. Would've copped a boot up the Khyber pass en route to reserves, at best.

That’s because it was a privilege to play back then, now everything is an entitlement.

[Mark Harris]

"I wanna play fullback" is the new "I want more money", without pissing off the fans. Manu is light years behind Teddy & if he was going to play 5/8th then it would have been this year when we were so skinny.
He couldn't oust Lam so what are the chances we move Keary? So forget that. When he was lying in his hospital bed he was probs thinking that rugby league really is short term and he should have saved some more money. If he can get a million elsewhere then more power to him. And those earning 1 million a year, don't pay tax. ( in any non scandinavian country) As Kramer says "It's all written off". Taxes are for the rest of us.

[Bondicigar]

Really...this new world of players calling the shots and only wanting to play a certain position is very weird.

What happened to "I'll play wherever the team needs me"?

Imagine a player approaching Jack and saying...I'll play but only at fullback. Would've copped a boot up the Khyber pass en route to reserves, at best.

I think player managers have alot to do with it, as well as the clubs putting prices on positions instead of individual players.
This fullback money bs is killing off the specialist centre, they way it's headed rep teams will be fielding 3 club fullbacks