Sam Verrills

[Headless Chook]

I don't see the fuss with Sam Verrills. He did a job for us in 2019 but I think I could count on one hand the number of try involvements he had last season. He offers little in attack and takes no pressure off our first receivers, add to this he must have taken lessons off Friend with the number of forward passes he threw and I honestly don't think we will miss him that much if he goes

[Roosterfarian]

Verrils will sign with the Dolphins. Mark my words.

[Mickie Lane]

The Chooks could probably be able to keep Verrills if Smith signs but what I think will happen is another club like Parra, Dogs or Manly will entice Sam away to be a starting 9 at their club.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

I don't see the fuss with Sam Verrills. He did a job for us in 2019 but I think I could count on one hand the number of try involvements he had last season. He offers little in attack and takes no pressure off our first receivers, add to this he must have taken lessons off Friend with the number of forward passes he threw and I honestly don't think we will miss him that much if he goes

Ye of little faith. They always say ACLs take more than a year to get back from and then you slowly get the confidence back and it's a big deal. Then he had the eye injury where he's out for ages with the eye and has multiple operations and then playing in NRL games when we're down and troops and he's just trying to get his eyes back to normal. Prior to that he was an emerging gun. Short memory. Credit points get Sam the whole season to prove you wrong.

[Chook Norris]

I don't see the fuss with Sam Verrills. He did a job for us in 2019 but I think I could count on one hand the number of try involvements he had last season. He offers little in attack and takes no pressure off our first receivers, add to this he must have taken lessons off Friend with the number of forward passes he threw and I honestly don't think we will miss him that much if he goes

Not a popular opinion on here, but I have to agree.

A lot of his reputation is riding on that try in the grand final. I'll be forever grateful for what he did in that try, but it can't just be that. His general play in attack is nowhere near it needs to be. If Brandon Smiths running game is an elite 10, Verrills unfortunately is about a 4.

[Easts75]

Not a popular opinion on here, but I have to agree.

A lot of his reputation is riding on that try in the grand final. I'll be forever grateful for what he did in that try, but it can't just be that. His general play in attack is nowhere near it needs to be. If Brandon Smiths running game is an elite 10, Verrills unfortunately is about a 4.

100% agree..Verills is a good solid first grader...but not anywhere being an elite player of the comp. Smith has an effect on every game...fark me nearly on every carry. He is a superstar. I love Verrills, genuine footy player and seems like a top bloke who has been through some tough times i wouldn't wish on anyone.. Like someone else mentioned, I hope he goes to Manly, deep down its home for him

[OMR]

Not saying Verrills is as elite as B Smith is , but to say we’re rating him on just that GF try is unfair. He played well leading up to the GF, and was instrumental in keeping our momentum going when Friend was out for long period.
Last season was interrupted by a late start recovering from ACL, then the eye problems kept him out for long period, and when he came back it took him time to recover some form when we were down on plenty of troops and experience.
Let’s see how he goes with a fully fit squad before we cast him out.

[Ghost of Maubs]

Verrills is a very high potential player. Obviously he is immortalised in our club for the well documented GF try, which we will forever love him for, and pre-injury he had laser like DH service which has since fallen off a bit (perhaps due to the eye injury?)... But if you are given the chance to trade him for Brandon Smith, you make that deal every day of the week and twice on Sunday, without hesitation.

Smith is the reigning hooker of the year, and I truly believe had he not been knocked out early in the preliminary last year, the storm go on to win it all.. He has become that influential. Scary to think that he has only played 1 full season in the starting hooker position, and is only 25 years old. This could be a Teddy-like signing.

[Headless Chook]

Ye of little faith. They always say ACLs take more than a year to get back from and then you slowly get the confidence back and it's a big deal. Then he had the eye injury where he's out for ages with the eye and has multiple operations and then playing in NRL games when we're down and troops and he's just trying to get his eyes back to normal. Prior to that he was an emerging gun. Short memory. Credit points get Sam the whole season to prove you wrong.

Well if the club had a big opinion of him they wouldn't be chasing Brandon Smith. The fact they are pulling out all stops tells me that the coaches opinions of Sam are closer to mine than yours

[dice]

This video from a few weeks ago worth watching to understand Roosters structure in attack. It is no coincidence Verrills or Marschke slotted straight in without losing too much. But ultimately it is what extra they can bring to the table. NRL 2021: Next man up: How the Roosters remain in the title race under Trent Robinson - Watch

And I will say again that I am not convinced Verrills will go if Smith signs. Robbo has been angling towards having multiple playmakers on both sides of the field. For example, I could easily see periods of the game with Cheese at lock and Radley as an extra half. Also Robbo wants to play higher intensity so they will not all play 80mins.

[Cockadoodledoo]

This video from a few weeks ago worth watching to understand Roosters structure in attack. It is no coincidence Verrills or Marschke slotted straight in without losing too much. But ultimately it is what extra they can bring to the table. NRL 2021: Next man up: How the Roosters remain in the title race under Trent Robinson - Watch

And I will say again that I am not convinced Verrills will go if Smith signs. Robbo has been angling towards having multiple playmakers on both sides of the field. For example, I could easily see periods of the game with Cheese at lock and Radley as an extra half. Also Robbo wants to play higher intensity so they will not all play 80mins.

Watson is a guy who could slot into Lock. He did so with Newcastle, who were obviously mimicking Radley's role this season and he was terrific there. He will without doubt wear 14 and I don't believe you can carry 2 small men on the bench, especially when Verrills doesn't have anywhere near the versatility that Watson has. With a number of clubs searching for a number 9 and the salary cap status getting tight, I expect the club would not stand in Verrills way if he could secure a decent contract as a starter elsewhere.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Well if the club had a big opinion of him they wouldn't be chasing Brandon Smith. The fact they are pulling out all stops tells me that the coaches opinions of Sam are closer to mine than yours

They signed him for 22,23 qnd 24, so they must have a good impression of him. Sam and Cheese will work well together.

[Johnny Brass]

Watson is a guy who could slot into Lock. He did so with Newcastle, who were obviously mimicking Radley's role this season and he was terrific there. He will without doubt wear 14 and I don't believe you can carry 2 small men on the bench, especially when Verrills doesn't have anywhere near the versatility that Watson has. With a number of clubs searching for a number 9 and the salary cap status getting tight, I expect the club would not stand in Verrills way if he could secure a decent contract as a starter elsewhere.

Watson is perfect for 14 in this uptempo new 6 again era, as you pointed out he was very effective as a ball playing lock and is a good dummy half to give the cheese a rest when needed. Robbo has read the landscape with the new rules and adjusted the squad accordingly.
We also have Egan Butcher who showed enormous potential in the middle with his ball playing and toughness.

[Billy Gunn]

Watson is a guy who could slot into Lock. He did so with Newcastle, who were obviously mimicking Radley's role this season and he was terrific there. He will without doubt wear 14 and I don't believe you can carry 2 small men on the bench, especially when Verrills doesn't have anywhere near the versatility that Watson has. With a number of clubs searching for a number 9 and the salary cap status getting tight, I expect the club would not stand in Verrills way if he could secure a decent contract as a starter elsewhere.

I actually think that we can play 2 small men on the bench how many times does the third big man play a handful of minutes, if we have collins and Nat or Egan who can play big minutes there is no need to have a third. We could carry a backup 9 and 13 with Smith , Watson and Radley who can play in the middle if needed. Verrills might find a club willing to take him as a starting 9 so we could pick Marshke to be the bench 9

[Headless Chook]

They signed him for 22,23 qnd 24, so they must have a good impression of him. Sam and Cheese will work well together.

Pearce had a couple of years left on his deal in 2018 too, we all know how that played out