Salary Cap issues

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

My gut feel on this Munster news (call it Rasta intuition). I think the club is caught between a rock and a hard place.

The club wants Munster.

But we know we have to move on Keary (and possibly some others) to do it. Because it's being played out MIDSEASON, we risk alienating Keary and potentially the whole team which would basically mean we kiss the season goodbye. So the club see this whole episode blowing up in our face if it goes pear-shaped.

Remember, the Pearce thing happened at the end of the season, so we could move quickly and limit the damage by getting Pearce offside for a short period of time and before pre-season. We knew he would not stay.

I feel for the club. I know Keary has been great for us but I think he peaked years ago and so we've already seen the best of him (not saying he is crap..on the contrary). Personally, I'd take Munster and move Keary and Angus on to get him. Sounds harsh but as Buzz/Kent said, we are an aggressive club that doesnt accept anything other than a GF. No-one is above the team.

Speak easy mun.

Thats a pretty good analysis. Keary has been great but there are big questions whether he can get back to 2018-19 form.

[Vee08]

There is definitely talk within the Chooks hierarchy about signing a superstar 5/8 if things dont pan out with the Keary Walker combo over the next 7 weeks.
Keary is in the sights of the Dolphins I think which the Roosters would know because if they are eyeing off Munster they will make sure Keary signs a very lucrative contract with the Dolphins.
SST & Im tellings youse blokes like Lam, Keighran, Verrills, Naiquama & possibly Whyte & Tuku wont be at the club next year not all of them but at least 3 of them will get better offers elsewhere like the Dolphins.
The Chooks will keep Angus after they release a couple more players.

wow!

[Kelby]

Jacob Preston has been promoted to the Bears a few times from the Jersey Flegg this year so I guess he is next one coming along...

Captain of the jersey flegg team and has some nice stats about him too.

[ccfc bondi]

On NRL 360, Braith Anasta (Munster's agent) was absolutely adamant that talk of Munster going to the Roosters is total fiction.

My feeling is the same as a few of the other journos on NRL 360 - Keary is a brilliant 5/8, that's where you should play him. Whether he's not been able to recover from his injury, or because he's playing halfback, he hasn't been producing his best. And putting him in a different role may help cover Walker's deficiencies, but it doesn't help the team win matches. If Trent doesn't believe Sammy is ready to be a first grade halfback.....

[Teddy]

Off topic, but following Teddy's comment regarding Suaalii's position - I don't see him being switched to left centre for two reasons. First, his right foot step is better suited on the right. Second, at some stage this season, I think Robbo will let either Suaalii or Manu off the leash in that roving role in attack, so I think combinations out there ensure a bit of stability remains while one man goes hunting the footy. I think we'll have to wait until later in the season to see it, once our attack has sorted itself out and everyone knows their role, and as a bit of a shock weapon heading into the finals. Anyway, I guess we'll see.

Interesting, you make a great point I didn’t really take notice of the right foot step, I wouldn’t be against keeping him on the wing he has the build, the athleticism, good hands, good defence, strong carries and now aerial threats on both wings, so keeping him on the wing is likely the right move at least for now.

[ism22]

On NRL 360, Braith Anasta (Munster's agent) was absolutely adamant that talk of Munster going to the Roosters is total fiction.

My feeling is the same as a few of the other journos on NRL 360 - Keary is a brilliant 5/8, that's where you should play him. Whether he's not been able to recover from his injury, or because he's playing halfback, he hasn't been producing his best. And putting him in a different role may help cover Walker's deficiencies, but it doesn't help the team win matches. If Trent doesn't believe Sammy is ready to be a first grade halfback.....

Zzzzz... if I hear somebody say that changing the 6/7 jerseys will make ANY difference again, I'm gonna go insane.

1. There's literally no difference between #6 and #7... different all coaches use them differently depending on yheir tactics (the oldschool right/left side separation is long gone). Johns makes a big deal about it as he's 'immortal' and loves the dialogue that #7 is for Joey Johns and #6 is for mere mortals (like Freddy, Lockyer, Munster, JT...etc, sure mate). Who woulda thought that Freddy was an arrogant mofo with a quality instinctive game, but NFI how to coach the Sydney Roosters? Leave that to Cronk and Robbo IMO (both of whom have achieved far more than Joey ever will in footy... same with Keary BTW).

2. The relationship between our two halves is already such that one (our vice captain) does the game management and the other (a young gun) does the high adrenaline, clutch plays.

[Bondicigar]

Keary needs to be given a break , he's coming back from a serious injury and playing a new role in the team.
he will come good

[bondi.boy]

The big question: Is Munster big enough?

I’d prefer Burton. Love that long kick and that high bomb. He could be great.

Munster is already great...and as such would cost a fortune.
Munster is big enough, but so is 'b2b Premierships' Keary.
We need big mobile forwards before we need Munster.
Munster kicked Manu in the head while he was on the ground.

[bondi.boy]

Just a thought.
Let Angus go and bring back Matterson for half the wage? 800k v 400k

Anyone?

Or we could train Gus to play like Matterson.

[Mickie Lane]

Keary needs to be given a break , he's coming back from a serious injury and playing a new role in the team.
he will come good

Pearcey was in a similar situation to Keary & that situation is that if the Roosters coaching staff don’t think they can win the comp with their general they will get someone else who can.
I don’t think the Chooks will win the comp this year with Keary at half because he doesn’t read the game like a true general, he reads the game eyes up & he was deadly at it but he’s now being made to play half which is so much more responsibility & you have to be able to run the team & we are now 10 weeks into the comp & it’s not happening. The next 7 weeks will determine a lot of things at the Chooks.
They won’t beat Parra on Sunday mainly because of the weather. The Roosters are not a wet weather team.

[007]

In my opinion, I would prefer Luke Keary over Munster any day of the week. As good as Munster is, he's only 2 years younger than Keary and looking in from the outside - Keary is the much better person that I think fits with the Roosters culture. I also wouldn't be spending huge dollars on Munster to the detriment of upgrading/signing other players. And I haven't forgotten the kick he gave to the back of Joey's head in the 2018 Grand Final - what does that tell you. Jury's out for me on Brandon Smith but he's coming into his prime and is obviously talented, but with the right people around him he may do well.

I think Keary has many years left in him. Remember RTS did his ACL in 2016 and it took him at least 12 months to get back to his best - and in 2018 he won the DallyM.

I know Keary was much older when he did his ACL but he's produced the goods on the big stage with the odds stacked against us. More than happy to give Keary time - this may not be a great year for him or the Roosters but I'd rather stick by him.

[Bondicigar]

Pearcey was in a similar situation to Keary & that situation is that if the Roosters coaching staff don’t think they can win the comp with their general they will get someone else who can.
I don’t think the Chooks will win the comp this year with Keary at half because he doesn’t read the game like a true general, he reads the game eyes up & he was deadly at it but he’s now being made to play half which is so much more responsibility & you have to be able to run the team & we are now 10 weeks into the comp & it’s not happening. The next 7 weeks will determine a lot of things at the Chooks.
They won’t beat Parra on Sunday mainly because of the weather. The Roosters are not a wet weather team.

I agree with what your saying about his form at the moment and what is required to be a successful half.
I think hes good enoough and smart enough to come good.

for him to have any chance our pack has to be dominating and we need to hang onto the ball so he can build his game...

[Mickie Lane]

Zzzzz... if I hear somebody say that changing the 6/7 jerseys will make ANY difference again, I'm gonna go insane.

1. There's literally no difference between #6 and #7... different all coaches use them differently depending on yheir tactics (the oldschool right/left side separation is long gone). Johns makes a big deal about it as he's 'immortal' and loves the dialogue that #7 is for Joey Johns and #6 is for mere mortals (like Freddy, Lockyer, Munster, JT...etc, sure mate). Who woulda thought that Freddy was an arrogant mofo with a quality instinctive game, but NFI how to coach the Sydney Roosters? Leave that to Cronk and Robbo IMO (both of whom have achieved far more than Joey ever will in footy... same with Keary BTW).

2. The relationship between our two halves is already such that one (our vice captain) does the game management and the other (a young gun) does the high adrenaline, clutch plays.

Jizz a No 7 is the general he reads the play for field position the long game the structure he tries to aply ressure with his kicking game. In a set of 6 he is around the ball for taclkle 1,2 & 5 thats to start the set then to finish the set.
No 6 is the spark the eyes up the guy that makes things happen like the fullback.
Hooker & halfback are the regimented structured players that control the game the 5/8 & the fullback are the thrust the slick the beautiful to watch.

[Tom Verlaine's Ghost]

Off topic, but following Teddy's comment regarding Suaalii's position - I don't see him being switched to left centre for two reasons. First, his right foot step is better suited on the right. Second, at some stage this season, I think Robbo will let either Suaalii or Manu off the leash in that roving role in attack, so I think combinations out there ensure a bit of stability remains while one man goes hunting the footy. I think we'll have to wait until later in the season to see it, once our attack has sorted itself out and everyone knows their role, and as a bit of a shock weapon heading into the finals. Anyway, I guess we'll see.

Finals? We'll be out of finals contention after the next 6 or 7 weeks.

As for pursuing Burton, that may well depend on Nick's current relationship with Gus. They still tight?

[BillyBonkers]

There is definitely talk within the Chooks hierarchy about signing a superstar 5/8 if things dont pan out with the Keary Walker combo over the next 7 weeks.
Keary is in the sights of the Dolphins I think which the Roosters would know because if they are eyeing off Munster they will make sure Keary signs a very lucrative contract with the Dolphins.
SST & Im tellings youse blokes like Lam, Keighran, Verrills, Naiquama & possibly Whyte & Tuku wont be at the club next year not all of them but at least 3 of them will get better offers elsewhere like the Dolphins.
The Chooks will keep Angus after they release a couple more players.

My take Mickie, Lam, Keighran and Naiquama all plodders and no great loss, sad if Verrills went, Whyte & Tuku, well it's not only a couple of confused gravediggers walking around confused, that have lost the plot.
Keary, these days as much spark as a wet match, best behind him, off to the Dolphins.
No need to buy a superstar 5/8, to partner Walker, a bit of faith in what we are developing will be fine.