2022 Roosters NRL Season Lineup & Predictions

[Steakface]

Starting Lineup

Tedesco
Toupo
Momirovski
Manu
Suuali
Hutchison
Keary
Collins
Verrils
JWH
Tupouniua
Crighton
Radley

Watson
Walker
SST
N Butcher

Depth

E Butcher
Baker
Lam
Keighran
Whyte
B Smith
Naiquama
Lussick
Taphua


Overview

With the acquisition of Watson, I think we'll see a revolving cast on the bench in 2022. Against a bigger pack, it wouldn't surprise me to see the likes a E Butcher/Taphua/White elevated to the bench, with the likes of Walker occasionally missing out.

I am not convinced Robbo thinks Walker is ready. I agree. He lacks a kicking game, and is not multi dimensional enough yet as a half. Opposition have done their homework. I think Robbo will take a similar approach this year to last, favouring Hutch to partner Keary - at least for the first half of the season.

Momorovski is too good to leave out of the starting centres. I suspect Keighran will be acquired by another club in due course.

Baker is behind JWH, SST, Collins and both Butchers in the middle forward pecking order. He needs to show something, and fast. I suspect Baker will be acquired by another club in due course. Taphua and Whyte look the goods too.

Lam will be acquired by another club in due course. I suspect he'll end up at a bottom 5 club, and continue to be a hard working player, but lacking the raw talent to amount to too much.

This will be JWHs last good year before his body really starts to get the better of him. I expect him to be rested regularly, with Whyte and Taphua getting a lot of game time.

Verrills will have a cracker of a season, leaving us with a big headache with The Block of Cheese arrives next year.

Keary or Teddy will win the 2022 Dally M.

We will finish 4th, and then go on to lose the Grand Final.

[Tommy Smith]

Go easy on Baker. He's the same age as Collins was when he made his debut. Just look at the insane trajectory Lindsay has been on since then.

Robbo has a history of bringing on his young forwards slowly, and we see both the player and the club real the rewards immensely later on.

Let's give Baker the opportunity to follow the same path as Lindsay.

Also I'm expecting big things from Renouf Atoni. He could be a bargain buy of the year candidate. A Sam Moa/SST type signing.

[Random Rooster]

I am not convinced Robbo thinks Walker is ready. I agree.

You agree that you think Robbo is not convinced about Walker?

I think Robbo is convinced that Walker is ready. I agree.

One of us is wrong even though we both agree with ourselves!!

[mattyh]

2022 predictions ....

penrith ...minor prems but bomb at prelim stage along with souffs
roosters vs storm ....gf ....not sure who wins
cowboys ....spoon
james tedesco ....dally m
reuben garrick ....top point scorer
xavier coates and ryan papenhuyzen ...top try scorers

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I think Walker will start at 7 whenever he is available,
I don't think Walker and Watson will ever be on the same bench,
I think Hutch will be our 14.
I think Smith and Suaali will fight for the wing spot.
I think Baker and E Butcher will be regular bench players.

My top 17 is
Teddy
Toops
Manu
Momo
Smith/Suaali
Keary
Walker
JWH
Verrills
Collins
Angus
Sitili
Rads

TKO
Baker
E Butcher/ N Butcher
Hutch/ Watson

[Thirteen]

I think we are short of one experienced forward this season. Losing the experience of Cords and Isaac is huge. If we lose an experienced forward or two through injury, it’s going to hurt us. The young guys are great but you don’t win comps with a bunch of rookies. You need seasoned first graders.

[Thirteen]

I think Walker will start at 7 whenever he is available,
I don't think Walker and Watson will ever be on the same bench,
I think Hutch will be our 14.
I think Smith and Suaali will fight for the wing spot.
I think Baker and E Butcher will be regular bench players.

My top 17 is
Teddy
Toops
Manu
Momo
Smith/Suaali
Keary
Walker
JWH
Verrills
Collins
Angus
Sitili
Rads

TKO
Baker
E Butcher/ N Butcher
Hutch/ Watson

Can you please cut your 20 down to 17.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Can you please cut your 20 down to 17.

take out Suaali, N Butcher and Watson.... that's why there were /'s, they are the 3 variables I see, depending on form.

[mattyh]

does anyone know who is the front runner of sualli and smth for the vacant wing spot?

[Thirteen]

does anyone know who is the front runner of sualli and smth for the vacant wing spot?

Rumour has it that Smith will miss the first half of the season after being bitten by a mosquito last week.

[Thirteen]

take out Suaali, N Butcher and Watson.... that's why there were /'s, they are the 3 variables I see, depending on form.

I think Nat Butcher will be in the 17 for sure. His versatility to play anywhere in the pack, as well as his solid defence will get him a gig. I also think Watson is our best option for utility on the bench and will be in the 17.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I think Nat Butcher will be in the 17 for sure. His versatility to play anywhere in the pack, as well as his solid defence will get him a gig. I also think Watson is our best option for utility on the bench and will be in the 17.

I have E butcher bracketed with Nat, so one or the other based on form as I said, same with Watson and Hutch.... we have to wait and see, but no room for both on the bench. Good coverage anyway, same goes for smith and suuali, I would be sad to see smith miss out now, I think he has talent, I hope he can get on the field, but Suaali could be anything, again a good problem to have. I think we have made some astute buys this off season, and the horrors of last year may actually pay dividends this year in the extra experience a lot of out young blokes gained.

[OMR]

take out Suaali, N Butcher and Watson.... that's why there were /'s, they are the 3 variables I see, depending on form.

I can’t see Watson being signed to play for the Bears, he’s ahead of Hutch . as much as I like Hutch, I think he misses out in a fully fit squad.

[zac]

watson will probably be 14 and i don't think that leaves much room/need for a back on the bench.
time will tell if robbo nurses walker thru the season, sometimes starting with hutch, but we'll want to give walker as much game time as possible.
you'd figure butch will join watson and one of jwh/lindsay/tauks on the bench but there's fierce competition for the other spot.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I can’t see Watson being signed to play for the Bears, he’s ahead of Hutch . as much as I like Hutch, I think he misses out in a fully fit squad.

he was bought for COVER, as a 14, but I think Hutch will have first crack, loyalty and all that, if their isn't much between them, they both cover backs and forwards but in slightly different ways.