Our future lies with our youth

[NorfolkStreetKid]

Thanks Norfolk for not calling me out on being racist of sorts. As my friends know I am far from being one. We have a considerable number of Islander boys along with the classic demographic of the eastern suburbs. The Riff have a huge pool to draw from due to the various islander nationalities there. Robbo just doesn’t seem to give them a real shot at top grade. I’ve alluded to it previously how Robbo should watch the doco on African American NBA player Bill Russell of the Celtics. That club broke the social barrier but to me it seems Robbo has his blinkers on with the cultural change in the game.

I don't know of robbo having any bias towards or against any racial subsection, I really think it's a geographical demographic at play, and sometimes certain clubs have more of a particular sub group. Maybe young guys are attracted to clubs where their mates of the same race play, or people they admire as role models. I'm sure every coach has his eyes open to the Islander demographic, and that a lot of their young blokes are bigger, stronger and faster than young caucasians. If there is a problem attracting Islanders to the Eastern Suburbs we better find a solution to it quickly.

[bondi paul]

I don't know of robbo having any bias towards or against any racial subsection, I really think it's a geographical demographic at play, and sometimes certain clubs have more of a particular sub group. Maybe young guys are attracted to clubs where their mates of the same race play, or people they admire as role models. I'm sure every coach has his eyes open to the Islander demographic, and that a lot of their young blokes are bigger, stronger and faster than young caucasians. If there is a problem attracting Islanders to the Eastern Suburbs we better find a solution to it quickly.

Hopefully Robbo has no racial bias, Norfolk we seem to have quite a number of Islanders in our youth system and in the NSW Cup.
We have this so called academy however with that it seems once you graduate it becomes your ticket out of there. I think a lot of the younger players know within themselves they have the ability and mind set for top grade but know only too well that Robbo is an obstacle to their future. Robbo has been too busy building a network around himself whilst if you’re not in then it’s out. History tells me that and it’s not only Fitzy and Ryles. He can’t seem to have people associated with him for too long if you aren’t in his clique of 12 years.

[King Salvo]

Thanks Norfolk for not calling me out on being racist of sorts. As my friends know I am far from being one. We have a considerable number of Islander boys along with the classic demographic of the eastern suburbs. The Riff have a huge pool to draw from due to the various islander nationalities there. Robbo just doesn’t seem to give them a real shot at top grade. I’ve alluded to it previously how Robbo should watch the doco on African American NBA player Bill Russell of the Celtics. That club broke the social barrier but to me it seems Robbo has his blinkers on with the cultural change in the game.

Not sure what you are meaning as the second time you have posted this - Roosters have 14 on the Books compared to Penrith's 12's as per the team list link - 7 play or where playing for the Roosters and 10 for Penrith on a regular basis

JWH
Manu
Sualli
Paulo (now in NSW Cup)
Toops
Brandon Smith (injured)
Tupouniua
Pauga is now playing

Both Whyte/May have played some NRL this year

Wong hasn't played NRL as yet
Toia(Injured)
Karawalevu
Katoa

2 English born players in Sam Walker and Sandon Smith - English International in Victor Radley

A few others with different backgrounds- at least 5 - Tedesco ( Italian ) / Keary ( Irish ) / Hutchison ( Scottish ) / Momirovski (Macedonian) Elie El-Zakhem (Lebanese)

Connor Watson currently injured is the only Aboriginal player in the squad

https://www.roosters.com.au/teams/?c...11&team=500001

Penrith have 12 on their books with 10 being regulars in the side plus 2 Aboriginal Players with 1 a regular in the side

https://www.penrithpanthers.com.au/t...11&team=500014

[milanja]

Thanks Norfolk for not calling me out on being racist of sorts. As my friends know I am far from being one. We have a considerable number of Islander boys along with the classic demographic of the eastern suburbs. The Riff have a huge pool to draw from due to the various islander nationalities there. Robbo just doesn’t seem to give them a real shot at top grade. I’ve alluded to it previously how Robbo should watch the doco on African American NBA player Bill Russell of the Celtics. That club broke the social barrier but to me it seems Robbo has his blinkers on with the cultural change in the game.

Funnily for Penrith though, they don’t have an islander in their starting forward pack.

[SamKerrSimp]

This forum went from “there’s too many Polynesians in the team” to “there’s not enough Polynesians in the team” how the times have changed. People say you need youth and experience to win but Penrith have shown that’s not true at all you just need good players regardless of age.

We have plenty of young players: Joseph Manu, Sam Walker, Billy Smith, Nat Butcher, Egan Butcher, Lindsay Collins, Corey Allan, Jackson Paulo, Brandon Smith, Joseph Suaalli, Drew Hutchison, Sitili Tupouniua, Angus Crichton, Naufau Whyte and more so unless we are going to put a jersey flegg team out there then age isn’t the issue

[SamKerrSimp]

Funnily for Penrith though, they don’t have an islander in their starting forward pack.

Have you not heard of Moses Leota?

[milanja]

Have you not heard of Moses Leota?

Yes he and JFH are New Zealand born.

[Rooster_6]

40% of the Roosters NRL squad are players who have Pacifica island or New Zealand heritage. The average across the game in 2023 is 45%.

This means the Roosters are slightly below the game average.

People really need to fact check their assumptions a little more.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Doing the age analysis as seen above what nobody has commented on is the elephant in the room - the % of Polynesians who make up 50% of NRL players. Our back row doesn’t reflect it other than Sitili.

We have a very strong contender for dumbest contribution of the year.

[King Salvo]

Funnily for Penrith though, they don’t have an islander in their starting forward pack.

Try

James Fisher-Harris
Scott Sorensen
Moses Leota

[Qld Chook]

Try

James Fisher-Harris
Scott Sorensen
Moses Leota

Hahaha how good. No islanders in their starting forward apart from both props and an edge backrower - so half are actually islanders in truth.

[bondi paul]

We have a very strong contender for dumbest contribution of the year.

You have a good sense of humour Jack but certainly not with your taste in music or dress sense. Up Easts.

[Rooster89]

How TF did this post come to a discussion on the % of Polynesian players in our team.

[milanja]

Hahaha how good. No islanders in their starting forward apart from both props and an edge backrower - so half are actually islanders in truth.

Well then the point is moot of not having enough islanders in our team, if we are including NZ players as islanders our team had 8 named against Souths, we have always had strong islander representation in this case.

[Bates]

Doing the age analysis as seen above what nobody has commented on is the elephant in the room - the % of Polynesians who make up 50% of NRL players. Our back row doesn’t reflect it other than Sitili.

Uncle Nick needs to buy all the old chicken farms out west and build a Roosters academy. This will be our new catchment area. He will need a church or two and a Sizzler.

All the chickens can then be released around the training facilities which will save on mowing and fertiliser costs. It's a win win.