Worst Roosters defections of all time?

[worldbe3]

The reaction to the Suaalii news and some of the over the top responses on here got me thinking. What is the worst player defection we’ve had in your time following the club?

In my 30 years or so of following the Roosters the only time I was ever shocked and angered by a defection was when out of the blue RTS signed with the Warriors midway through 2015. He was having an amazing season and I thought we had our new fullback for the next decade. Was completely blindsided by that news. Fair to say though we got the last laugh.

As for others I was disappointed but not surprised by Latrell leaving and this Suaalii one I’ve thought would happen eventually since day one.

[stringaz]

I'm actually still disappointed we lost Ryan Cross to union. I did hear from Gus recently that it was always a dream of his to play for the wallabies.

So apparently the switch was on the cards all along. Crestfallen at the time though.

[worldbe3]

I'm actually still disappointed we lost Ryan Cross to union. I did hear from Gus recently that it was always a dream of his to play for the wallabies.

So apparently the switch was on the cards all along. Crestfallen at the time though.

Oh yeah I heard that too. Gus was claiming he told Cross that the best way to play for the Wallabies was to play in the NRL first and I guess he was right.

[Noosa Rooster]

Most recently it is definitely Latrell and probably not because he left, just the way it happened. To finish up at Souths made it even less palatable.

In the past it was Johnny Mayes going to Manly. He lived in our street and used to kick the footy with us at Waverly Oval. I was gutted when he left - even though as it turned out it was only for a year.
John Peard going to Parra was another.

[Spirit of 66]

The great mass defection to Manly engineered by Bob Fulton. Kerry Boustead, Noel Cleal, Ian Barclay and one or two others.

[Inflictor]

The great mass defection to Manly engineered by Bob Fulton. Kerry Boustead, Noel Cleal, Ian Barclay and one or two others.

Gurr, McCabe, Schubert, Gibbs.

But we got one up on them when we got Vautin.

[Easts75]

RTS hurt....a lot !!!

More than Latrell for me. From the outside looking Roger seemed to have an unmatched work ethic and he came with zero baggage. I still can't bring myself to dislike him even with him jumping ship

[worldbe3]

The great mass defection to Manly engineered by Bob Fulton. Kerry Boustead, Noel Cleal, Ian Barclay and one or two others.

A bit before my time but it’s arguable we didn’t recover from that until the mid 90’s right? The 87 team aside

[redwhiteblue]

Craig Wing's "going home" shenanigans in the Virgin Terminal wearing a Souths jersey whilst still playing for us. He'd wanted a longer contract than what we were offering, so he went 'home' for 4 years apparently..look how that turned out..another who had to go overseas to recoup aforementioned contract money that never eventuated..throw my mate Fletch in there too..he called them a bunch of thieves..

Nothing ever good comes of them going over that way..they all come back into the fold eventually.

I'll say it again..Souths are like the very bad boyfriend some girls get tempted by but then they always come crying home to mother for some home comfort, calm and peace..

[redwhiteblue]

The great mass defection to Manly engineered by Bob Fulton. Kerry Boustead, Noel Cleal, Ian Barclay and one or two others.

They also tried to take Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Mick Cronin and Ray Price in a 'package deal'..I can't post what Ray Price said about that suggestion...

They ended up with Geoff Gerard instead..good player in his own right..

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

I was really disappointed when Craig Wing left. I reckon we didn't use him properly in those last couple of seasons. I remember at one point he played centre. At the time I actually wanted us to punt Anasta and give Wing the number 6 jersey.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

The Fatrell fiasco was a joke. Tried to think he was bigger than the club and pissed Uncle Nick off. Now he acts like he's bigger than the game. I'm not disappointed, I actually take alot of joy knowing that souffs are unlikely to win a comp with him at FB

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

I don't count the Mitchell Pearce saga as a defection cause he left after Cronk was signed to replace him. But I remember the battle between the MP fans boys vs MP haters on here at the time. Some of the funniest stuff ever on the chookpen

[SamKerrSimp]

Craig Wing's "going home" shenanigans in the Virgin Terminal wearing a Souths jersey whilst still playing for us. He'd wanted a longer contract than what we were offering, so he went 'home' for 4 years apparently..look how that turned out..another who had to go overseas to recoup aforementioned contract money that never eventuated..throw my mate Fletch in there too..he called them a bunch of thieves..

Nothing ever good comes of them going over that way..they all come back into the fold eventually.

I'll say it again..Souths are like the very bad boyfriend some girls get tempted by but then they always come crying home to mother for some home comfort, calm and peace..

This is the one I wanted to say. It would not have been an issue if he had respect for the club officials players and fans and kept a low profile until his final match for the club but he didn’t and showed a lack of class.

[King Salvo]

Gary Freeman - Big Jack Gibson was none too happy when Freeman signed with Penrith