SQUAD v KNIGHTS - Kez is back AT6 !!

[ARD]

TKO, Collins, Manu, Sitili is a lot of strike out.

[roosterchook]

We were at full strength when we played the knights last and only managed one try. With 5 players out from that team we have our backs to the wall here.

[roosterchook]

TKO, Collins, Manu, Sitili is a lot of strike out.

And we couldn’t beat them with our full strength team so I’m hopeful but not confident about this game. Lodge could make a huge difference though.

[roosterchook]

TKO, Collins, Manu, Sitili is a lot of strike out.

Smith? That makes 5 players. Lodge would be a substantial addition though.

[Rooster89]

Just saw on Roosters Instagram that Adam Keighran is starting in tomorrow's match but they didn't say who he's replacing.

[QWERTY]

Just saw on Roosters Instagram that Adam Keighran is starting in tomorrow's match but they didn't say who he's replacing.

Manu

[Rooster since '72]

I believe Manu had an injury when he pulled up, then when he saw space when he looked up, he just played thru it. However, there has been a big push in the press this week for Manu to stay on at 5/8. Freddy has just come out and said that Manu HAS to stay at 5/8 and that Walker would make huge holes coming off the bench against tired forwards. I agree, but that creates some other problems. 1. Manu out of the centres leaves a big gap- Momorovski and Keighran are quality players, but not game breakers. At least one centre has to be a game breaker. We will need to find one fast. Hutchison isn't super fast but he is bulked up, good in defence, has great hands and has a good kicking game. A genuine option with a bit of time. 2. Robbo wooed Connor Watson back from the Knights with the promise of making him "the games best No. 14". And I am sure that you would have loved his solo try against the Dragons as much as I did. However, I agree with Freddy that Wakler is already a better choice in this position, covering for dummy half fatigue and injuries in the halves or if Joey has to sub for Teddy. For this to happen, Watson would have to be an off-season casualty - it will be interesting to see how he goes against his previous club tomorrow. Anyway, that is how I would handle it in Robbo's shoes. I think that it would be in the team's best interests.
On a side note, I fully appreciate how much intellect is in the brain trust at the Roosters. Consider this possibility - 1. Joey really wants the 5/8 spot (and many like me believe it should be his). 2. 3 into 2 don't go. This presents a big headache for Robbo and crew. They know as well as we do what Joey can and has done at 5/8, but need time to find a solution.3. Joey is under fire from what most saw as a feigned injury. For my money, you are not going to do this with your back turned to the opposition, you would need to have eyes up. 4. The Knights are struggling big time. 5, A decision to have Joey stand down for a week takes the heat off him (I really am injured), and gives the Roosters brains trust time to work thru things and consider Freddy's suggestion. I seriously believe that this may have happened - I don't doubt that Manu had a strain, but was it a big enough problem to sideline him for the week?
Keary I think is 33 now with a history of concussion injuries - he won't be around forever. Time spent at No.14 for a year or so for Walker would give him time to bulk up and learn more from halves coach Cooper Cronk. I really think that this is the best way forward.

[ChookMaster]

I believe Manu had an injury when he pulled up, then when he saw space when he looked up, he just played thru it. However, there has been a big push in the press this week for Manu to stay on at 5/8. Freddy has just come out and said that Manu HAS to stay at 5/8 and that Walker would make huge holes coming off the bench against tired forwards. I agree, but that creates some other problems. 1. Manu out of the centres leaves a big gap- Momorovski and Keighran are quality players, but not game breakers. At least one centre has to be a game breaker. We will need to find one fast. Hutchison isn't super fast but he is bulked up, good in defence, has great hands and has a good kicking game. A genuine option with a bit of time. 2. Robbo wooed Connor Watson back from the Knights with the promise of making him "the games best No. 14". And I am sure that you would have loved his solo try against the Dragons as much as I did. However, I agree with Freddy that Wakler is already a better choice in this position, covering for dummy half fatigue and injuries in the halves or if Joey has to sub for Teddy. For this to happen, Watson would have to be an off-season casualty - it will be interesting to see how he goes against his previous club tomorrow. Anyway, that is how I would handle it in Robbo's shoes. I think that it would be in the team's best interests.
On a side note, I fully appreciate how much intellect is in the brain trust at the Roosters. Consider this possibility - 1. Joey really wants the 5/8 spot (and many like me believe it should be his). 2. 3 into 2 don't go. This presents a big headache for Robbo and crew. They know as well as we do what Joey can and has done at 5/8, but need time to find a solution.3. Joey is under fire from what most saw as a feigned injury. For my money, you are not going to do this with your back turned to the opposition, you would need to have eyes up. 4. The Knights are struggling big time. 5, A decision to have Joey stand down for a week takes the heat off him (I really am injured), and gives the Roosters brains trust time to work thru things and consider Freddy's suggestion. I seriously believe that this may have happened - I don't doubt that Manu had a strain, but was it a big enough problem to sideline him for the week?
Keary I think is 33 now with a history of concussion injuries - he won't be around forever. Time spent at No.14 for a year or so for Walker would give him time to bulk up and learn more from halves coach Cooper Cronk. I really think that this is the best way forward.

So after all that, I ask you.

What the hell is your point? I struggled to read through that, sorry.

You want walker off the bench because Freddy suggested it? Freddy of all people? Did you see his selections during origin?

Keary is not 33 lol, he just turned 30.

Manu is having a week off from copping it? From who? Some have questioned his motive but then others have also praised it and called it a great try.

First post is a fizzer but I’m sure my first post was around the same.

Welcome on board anywho

[Rooster since '72]

So after all that, I ask you.

What the hell is your point? I struggled to read through that, sorry.

You want walker off the bench because Freddy suggested it? Freddy of all people? Did you see his selections during origin?

Keary is not 33 lol, he just turned 30.

Manu is having a week off from copping it? From who? Some have questioned his motive but then others have also praised it and called it a great try.

First post is a fizzer but I’m sure my first post was around the same.

Welcome on board anywho

Thanks for the welcome on board ChookMaster. To answer your points:
On this occasion (not in Origin 3) Fittler's thoughts seem to align with my own, and those of many other journalists/presenters. Manu at 5/8 has been a powerhouse and that has to stay. Robbo is saying he will give Joey a licence to roam - he is already doing that. If Manu is to be the 5/8, how do you address the problems it raises? I never said Manu was hit by anyone. Whether Keary is 30 or whatever, with his history of concussions, Walker won't have to wait too long. Nice to chat - and I enjoy a spar.

[rented tracksuit]

Thanks for the welcome on board ChookMaster. To answer your points:
On this occasion (not in Origin 3) Fittler's thoughts seem to align with my own, and those of many other journalists/presenters. Manu at 5/8 has been a powerhouse and that has to stay. Robbo is saying he will give Joey a licence to roam - he is already doing that. If Manu is to be the 5/8, how do you address the problems it raises? I never said Manu was hit by anyone. Whether Keary is 30 or whatever, with his history of concussions, Walker won't have to wait too long. Nice to chat - and I enjoy a spar.

You enjoy a spar? You should fit in well around these parts!

[Teddy]

A lot of outs especially Manu after last week, still if we’re serious about finals footy this should be a walk in the park, lose and we don’t deserve to be playing finals, an 80 minute performance is what is required if we can do that then we will have turned the corner and can get on a roll while our injured boys get back to fitness.

I don’t even want to entertain the thought of losing that will be our season end of story.

[Rooster_6]

Picking out quotes. Gee you really are digging deep.

Of course young Sam is going to come out and praise his mentor/teacher. But the proof’s in the pudding. Robbo wants Sam at 7 and Luke at 6.

What parts of the game is he doing better than
Keary at halfback you ask. I never said he’s doing anything better than Keary. I just said that Keary plays better on the left than the right. Keary has dominated the left side since he’s been playing NRL. A natural passer from right to left. As I’ve said all along, why move him to the opposite side of the field?

Walker played half all of last year. With a much weakened side and with his lack of experience I’d say he performed bloody well. With the assistance of a veteran 6 like Keary, this can only improve his game and help him develop into and even better 7.

Walker is better than any young half I’ve seen. He chooses the right time to run, passes and kicks well. Plays well to structure but also plays what’s in front of him. And I’d say he runs the team pretty well based on his results while playing at 7.

Digging deep is quoting an article that was released about the up coming game? I think it's interesting because if Keary is the primary kicker as suggested is he actually going to switch to the left edge? Typically right footed kicker will defend on the right edge as its easier to reset in transition.

Although as I've said previously I think you are overplaying the importance of sides, my curiosity is around who the organiser is going to be and from Walkers quotes it doesn't sound like that is about to change.

Walker also didn't play half last year, he wore the number but the majority of the organising was done by Hutchinson. Not to mention the style of footy on 2022 compared to 2021 is vastly different with the new 6 again rulings only occurring outside the 40m line.

Will be interesting to see how we set up tonight.

[bondi paul]

sounds like those saying that joey was unsporting in feigning injury got it wrong

Yes the tabloid media got it purposely wrong.

[Rooster_6]

Bit overrated putting players in a different position to learn the nrl game as some kind of apprenticeship.

Your don't put an apprentice carpenter into an office role you have them on the tools from the get go as that is where they will learn the trade under the guidance of a qualified tradie.

Keary isn't a half and has always been a 5/8 as look at his career and who has been the halves he has played with- Reynolds/Pearce/Cronk/Flanno( 1 season) and also a bit late in his career to turn him into a halfback as well.

Whether this change is too late the next 7 games will tell - the problem of unlocking the attack which was mentioned quite often post game should have meant this change was made earlier than this week.

Is it? I look at the development of players like Brad Fittler, Jonathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer & Cooper Cronk as some of the greatest halves in the NRL era and all had very unique and different pathways before establishing themselves as elite halves.

Joey John's was the exception he pretty much played halfback from the outset.

I don't think there's any evidence that it must be done this way but I think there's enough evidence to suggest it's not an overrated tactic when it comes to developing a half.

[Rooster90]

Thanks for the welcome on board ChookMaster. To answer your points:
On this occasion (not in Origin 3) Fittler's thoughts seem to align with my own, and those of many other journalists/presenters. Manu at 5/8 has been a powerhouse and that has to stay. Robbo is saying he will give Joey a licence to roam - he is already doing that. If Manu is to be the 5/8, how do you address the problems it raises? I never said Manu was hit by anyone. Whether Keary is 30 or whatever, with his history of concussions, Walker won't have to wait too long. Nice to chat - and I enjoy a spar.

Welcome mate, I just wish you also enjoyed paragraphs