Your 1-17 Next Week (as we are all armchair coaches)...

[King Salvo]

It seems there are many Easts fans that agree that this is the best team we could field.

So what are we not seeing what the coach sees?

I don't think Coach Robinson has any intention of sitting with the fans in the grandstand to answer your question.

Anyway

Keary and Walker are too alike as players to be paired up unless one of them can add a organising/controlling role to their game as the same issues as last season have certainly have re-emerged this season.

Of course people will say what has changed then with Manu at 5/8 - he is running the ball at least although he needs to add other aspects of this role to his game i.e bringing the centre and winger and edge forwards into play in offense and the all important kicking game.

I know people will say the switch of Keary back to 5/8 and Walker to half was the catalyst for the 8 game winning streak(Keary didn't play the 1st of these games vs Dragons- Manu was 5/8) although Egan Butcher and Connor Watson's impact from the bench cannot be underestimated either.

It could also have been the realisation that if they don't pull their fingers out and start winning they won't make the 8

We will never know

They both need an organising/controlling half to be their halves partner whether they play at 6 or 7 so they can just be a running half which is their game and what they are best at.

You would start N Butcher over Sitili - Certainly don't understand the dislike of the Butcher Brothers - the same folk who didn't want Sitili in side too as he misses too many tackles

The Roosters were number 16 in kicking metres last season so whoever this organising/controlling half is they will need to be a someone who can kick distance to get the team out of trouble when not making yardage or winning the field position battle.

Its' not a case of the players not putting in the effort as the effort is there - it's the execution that is failing them - you can see the frustration when things aren't going as planned so they need to get back to basics and get to the kick on sets and work hard in D. - Get in the Grind

Patience in building the game and the results will come

[Rooster90]

Ted
Suaalii
Manu
Smith
Paulo

Keary
Walker

JWH
Cheese
Collins
Crichton
N.Butch
Radley

Turpin
Sitili
Brown
Lodge

[BEC]

So Sitili had the same amount of metres in half the time. If anything, in trying to defend Nat, you made him look worse. Goodness me you’re incredibly insufferable.

I think that was sarcasm...but if not then you are 100% right

[DP1990]

1. Tedesco
2. Aukuso Sua'ali'i
3. Billy Smith
4. Junior Pauga (if he is eligible to be picked this round)
5. Paulo
6. Manu
7. Keary
8. JWH
9. Brandon Smith
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. N Butcher
13. Radley

14. Turpin
15. Lodge
16. Sitili
17. Brown

18. Hutch
19. Baker
19. Whyte
20. Katoa
21. Allan


Walker = Reserve grade

[Rooster89]

Turpin is in everyone's 17 so far, Hutch in no one's 17.

What is going on Robbo?

[Steggles]

Based on form and availability, I’d run with the following for next week against Penrith -

1. Tedesco
2. Allan
3. Smith
4. Manu
5. Paulo
6. Hutchinson
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Smith
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Topouniua
13. Radley
14. Turpin
15. Lodge
16. Baker
17. Brown

We need to be able to score points which means we need our most naturally creative player on the field and that is Sam Walker.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but we actually need Hutch at 6. Keary’s form has been poor in both attack and defence for some time, plus we can’t have two small bodies in the team. IMHO, the coach dropped the wrong half. Hutch, your only role is to kick long, distribute early ball to your outside men and tackle. This might unlock the significant capability we have in the centres and with our edge forwards.

We will get more from the Cheese if he’s playing 50-60 mins only; like it or not, that’s the reality and Turpin is a true dummy half, adds momentum in attack when he comes on and is a very solid defender.

Suaalii, you can piss off to reserve grade as Allan is offering more than you do. Brown must come in to sub for Radley as he provides more mongrel in attack and defence than Nat Butcher; same goes for Egan Butcher but he won’t be available in any case. Like it or not, Nat Butcher is too small to bend the line in attack and we need more from a first grader than just making 50+ tackles each game..We need two big boys in the prop rotation; Lodge and Baker (or May).

One thing needs to be made crystal clear to the team, particularly the senior players……..this is Sam Walker’s show to run and he steers the team in attack. Not Teddy, not Radley and not Manu; I think Keary not being there will assist this. That’s how we develop Sam into the best half in the game, much like what Ivan Clearly did for Nathan Clearly.

[Headless Chook]

So Sitili had the same amount of metres in half the time. If anything, in trying to defend Nat, you made him look worse. Goodness me you’re incredibly insufferable.

Yeah but one played in the middle and the other played on the edge outside the 5/8th that think's he's a fullback but is actually a centre. Not much chance of getting the ball there

[Kelby]

I don't think Coach Robinson has any intention of sitting with the fans in the grandstand to answer your question.

Anyway

Keary and Walker are too alike as players to be paired up unless one of them can add a organising/controlling role to their game as the same issues as last season have certainly have re-emerged this season.

Of course people will say what has changed then with Manu at 5/8 - he is running the ball at least although he needs to add other aspects of this role to his game i.e bringing the centre and winger and edge forwards into play in offense and the all important kicking game.

I know people will say the switch of Keary back to 5/8 and Walker to half was the catalyst for the 8 game winning streak(Keary didn't play the 1st of these games vs Dragons- Manu was 5/8) although Egan Butcher and Connor Watson's impact from the bench cannot be underestimated either.

It could also have been the realisation that if they don't pull their fingers out and start winning they won't make the 8

We will never know

They both need an organising/controlling half to be their halves partner whether they play at 6 or 7 so they can just be a running half which is their game and what they are best at.

You would start N Butcher over Sitili - Certainly don't understand the dislike of the Butcher Brothers - the same folk who didn't want Sitili in side too as he misses too many tackles

The Roosters were number 16 in kicking metres last season so whoever this organising/controlling half is they will need to be a someone who can kick distance to get the team out of trouble when not making yardage or winning the field position battle.

Its' not a case of the players not putting in the effort as the effort is there - it's the execution that is failing them - you can see the frustration when things aren't going as planned so they need to get back to basics and get to the kick on sets and work hard in D. - Get in the Grind

Patience in building the game and the results will come

78 minutes into a game for our 1st try???

[Kelby]

Next Week for me:

1. Teddy
2. Suaalii
3. Billy Smith
4. Manu
5. Paulo (Toops still out?)
6. Keary
7. Walker

8. Lodge
9. Cheese
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Tuponiua
13. Nat Butcher

14. Turpin
15. JWH
16. Radley
17. Brown

18: Hutch

[Bates]

1. Tedesco
2. Paulo
3. Bi Smith
4. Manu
5. Suaalii
6. Walker
7. Keary
---‐------‐----------------
8. JWH
9. Turpin (First 15 only unless required)
10. Collins
11. Crichton
12. Tupouniua
13. Radley

14. Br Smith
15. Lodge
16. Whyte
17. N.Butcher

6 Walker 7 Keary

Is that a typo? That combination failed last season! Why would it be any different now?

[bondi.boy]

Don't expect changes.
Teddy was just on ch10 News saying he's happy with Manu at 6.

News said "no SOS to Sam Walker".

***

Looks like it's "steady as she goes".
Oh well, as Ned Kelly said standing at the gallows:
"Such is life".

[Tommy Smith]

1. Teddy
2. Suaalii
3. Smith
4. Joey
5. Paulo
6. Keary
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Cheese
10. Lindsay
11. Angus
12. Nat
13. Victor

14. Lodge
15. Sitili
16. Whyte
17. Turps

[Rooster_6]

6 Walker 7 Keary

Is that a typo? That combination failed last season! Why would it be any different now?

I have no issues with Keary remaining on the left side of the field, you can even slap the 6 on his back for all I care but he must be the primary kicker and organiser… put simply he’s just better at it at this stage of their respective careers.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

1. Teddy
2. Suaalii
3. Smith
4. Joey
5. Paulo
6. Keary
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Cheese
10. Lindsay
11. Angus
12. Nat
13. Victor

14. Lodge
15. Sitili
16. Whyte
17. Turps

I'd go with this team as our best available 17, but it doesn't matter who they run out if they don't have a game plan they can understand, and play for each other and play as a TEAM. I smell disharmony, frustration, they take the easy option too often. No committment, it's bloody hard to watch. Any team that really turns up and takes it to us is a big chance of getting the chockies.

[Bates]

I have no issues with Keary remaining on the left side of the field, you can even slap the 6 on his back for all I care but he must be the primary kicker and organiser… put simply he’s just better at it at this stage of their respective careers.

That failed last year but I guess we have nothing to lose. Currently the halves set up resembles a dogs breakfast, I'm a big fan of Robbo who I think is up shit creek without a genuine and capable 7.