Sandon Smith & Naufahu Whyte by Fox Sports

[Roosterfarian]

Based on last weeks game Sandon made 35 tackles with three misses which is very impressive mun

Impressive indeed Lydon mun.

[Rooster90]

Can Sandon tackle though? Don't want another turnstile out on the fringes with Swaarhelli.

Interestingly enough he played at 9 on the weekend, has filled in at Fullback the last few weeks as well.

I would not be surprised to see young Sandon named at 14 for this weekend, although I would much prefer him in the 7.
Has a great kicking game that i hope doesn't get coached out of him.....

[Nicola Tesla]

I'm not going to stick up for the coach etc, but do they see things we don't see? All the players are monitored these days which give the coaches critical data. I think this would be most improtant for middle players in terms of intensity and drop off etc. Is there soemthing in Whytes fitness/movement that we are not seeign that is a critical stat? From my point of view I love what I see on face value..

In terms of tackles, it's not so much players missing tackles, it's how often they get dominated... Sam makes great tackles, but the player inevitably jumps up and gets a quick play the ball which puts pressure on the next play. Or the defenders on eahc side hav eto ome in to assist some times leaving things short. I'd love to see Sandon Smiths stats here...yes sure he made 35 tackles but how many were dominant enough etc. Not saying they weren't , but just curious.

[King Salvo]

Need to retain Sandon and Tyler Moriarty - Gould was very close to nabbing both in the off season - signed 3 of the Chooks promising up and Comers - Jack Stringer / Zac Montgomery and Jacob Preston who is currently playing NRL for the Dogs.

Almost signed Robert Toia as well - last minute upping of the offer and 4 year contract swung it back the Roosters way for him to sign on the dotted line.

[A Country Member]

Are they knocking on the door or banging it down?

[kakaruk]

Are they knocking on the door or banging it down?

Gus Gould will be the one banging on the young star's doors with a big fat contract , and they will be gonski Sandon must be shaking his head about being behind Hutch in the pecking order at the chooks .

[John Corey]

It wouldn’t hurt to give Sandon a run at half whilst Sam is out injured and see if he can handle the top grade. It has to be better than a Hutch/Keary or Keary/Manu combo. Could he be a ready made replacement for Keary longer term?

As for Whyte, I’d bring him into the side asap, probably at the expense of Nat Butcher who IMO is a decent depth player, but is too small to be an effective, well-rounded forward these days. To compete we need forwards that have size, aggression and capability of big metres; Butcher has none of those attributes. And before I’m shot down with the fact that Butcher makes 700 tackles a game, I’ll point out that Whyte (and the rest of the forwards can tackle too).

Coach Robinson, however, will do neither. He’ll persist with Hutch at half and Butcher in the team, then wonder why we have no points in us. He’ll persist with these guys because they helped us through the ongoing injury crisis of 20XX.

We will probably end up losing both of these guys through lack of opportunity rather than lack of talent.

I would love to see Smith and Whyte get a run. I just think the Coach has trust issues with players outside his little core. ie rather play Hutch in the centres than bring in a kid who deserves an opportunity.

Whyte should be playing every week.

[Easts75]

Gus Gould will be the one banging on the young star's doors with a big fat contract , and they will be gonski Sandon must be shaking his head about being behind Hutch in the pecking order at the chooks .

Hutch is solid at best in the halves. He has zero upside and we aren't winning shit when it matters with him in the starting 13. What does the club have to lose at the moment by having a look at Smith in firsts ?? We are playing shithouse selecting the same non performing players, time to try some new blood

[A Country Member]

Gus Gould will be the one banging on the young star's doors with a big fat contract , and they will be gonski Sandon must be shaking his head about being behind Hutch in the pecking order at the chooks .

Gus’s no poaching rule with Uncle seems to have disappeared

[Lydon]

Gus Gould will be the one banging on the young star's doors with a big fat contract , and they will be gonski Sandon must be shaking his head about being behind Hutch in the pecking order at the chooks .

Honestly it’s an embarrassing situation for the Club,players killing it in the lower grades yet can’t get a crack!

[Lydon]

Gus’s no poaching rule with Uncle seems to have disappeared

Well if we aren’t going to play them they may as well get a go elsewhere…

[Rooster_Mark]

Gus’s no poaching rule with Uncle seems to have disappeared

I read somewhere recently that they aren't on speaking terms.

[Freddy]

Interestingly enough he played at 9 on the weekend, has filled in at Fullback the last few weeks as well.

I would not be surprised to see young Sandon named at 14 for this weekend, although I would much prefer him in the 7.
Has a great kicking game that i hope doesn't get coached out of him.....

Noticed this too…He is a traditional HB who can control the team, create line breaks and kicks well however you’re spot on with the movement of him lately into FB and 9 lately..
obviously looking at him foreign that number 14 utility spot.
Maybe Robbo finally realises Hutch is too slow for NRL.

[King Salvo]

Another sponsor = Smith's Chips

They sponsored those on the poor side of Anzac Parade at one stage

[Johnny Brass]

Whyte has impressed me this year, he's got really sharp footwork for a big man and couldn't understand Baker getting a go in front of him. He should be our 4th prop in my books.