Season over... positives for next season.

[Random Rooster]

Umm, we got found out big time tonight.

You're joking yeah?

[Steakface]

Looking at everyone's team for next year, we have a problem... We have 24/25 first grade talent trying to get into a first team of 17. I suppose it's a good problem to have, but at the same time, we will most likely lose a few players. I see a lot have written off Suaalii and Crichton for next year, but I reckon they'll play out their contracts, and Gus is yet to sign with RA, so he might yet re-sign; after his end of season form I'd be more than happy to take him back on board. My team to start Rd 1 (assuming JS and Crichton are still here)
1. Teddy
2. Tupou
3. Suaalii/Young
4. Manu
5. Suaalii/ Young
6. Keary
7. Walker
8. JWH
9. Cheese
10. Lindsay
11. Crichton
12. Wong
13. Radley
14. Smith... (really tough for Watson)
15. N. Butcher
16. Leniu
17. May
18. Watson

The unlucky few: Sitili, Naufahu, Billy Smith, Connor Watson, Egan Butcher, J.Pauga, L.Murphy... not to mention any young player that might burst onto the scene. Possible mentions could be Tyler Moriarty, Ethan Roberts, Xavier Va'a, Henare Schuster (who I believe is actually 19 not 20 and already playing NSWRL). Toia would have also obviously been here if not for his ACL.

Though I wouldn't be surprised to see Egan get an undeserved spot there, Robbo see's something in him obviously.

Can't argue with that. That is a weapon of a team if all are fit and firing.

Young is too good to keep out of the backline, likewise Suaalii. Unfortunate for Billy, he is great, but not quite on their level and the injury prone-ness must unfortunately be a factor.

Sitili likewise, injuries have plagued him the past 2 years. Brilliant in attack when fit and on form, but not sure he is a better choice than Crichton, Wong and Nat.

Sandon is Keary's understudy, and must stay. He is special. Has taken to first grade like a duck to water.

Connor may never be quite the same. Patella is a nasty injury. And Watson's secret weapon is speed....no kicking game, and not much of a passing game. I am a fan, but not sure he'll come back right.

Whyte has the potential absolutely, but is behind the others.

Having said that, I think I prefer Whyte to Egan Butcher. I am trying hard, but I just am not convinced yet. Robbo and team need to sort him out.

Pauga is great, but is simply the wrong build for a modern outside back. Better to keep Billy Smith if it's a choice between the two.

[Chook2]

Let’s hope for luck with little injuries next season
we deserve some luck on this front

some good recruiting with young and Leniu

only lost lodge atm but easily covered allready there, interesting to see if suaali and critchon are gone! Atm I can’t see them on our top 17 next year so the money would help! Not 2 x $700k players in res
very dissapointing finish for Gus. On his day one of the best edge back rowers in the comp! But not often enough

we have so much depth next year and with may, Whyte, Wong, smith all improving and showing signs of genuine 1st graders some top player may miss out

atm with suaali amd Gus still there

1, left centre - suaali, smith and toia for left centre which I think smith atm! Murphy and pauga to provide back up here!
2. Sandon smith v watson
3. Front row Collins/ jwh/ Leniu and maybe now may all def with back up in sitili, Gus, Whyte
4. Edge back row and lock - think Wong/ butcher/ radley/ and sitili on bench atm with Whyte/ Gus and Butcher extras

hopefully radley can continue his late season form

teddy
young / suaali
manu
smith / suaali / toia / Murphy
tupou
keary
walker
may / jwh
smith
Collins
wong / butcher / Gus
butcher / sitili / Whyte
radley

watson / smith
sitili / butcher / Gus / Whyte
leniu
jwh / may / Whyte

does brown, or Allen get re signed for cheap as back up?

[The Monk]

Ill keep it simple...Start planning for post Teddy...He must be busted..has lost a ton of speed.

And Keary...Hes about to hangem up I reckon.

Oh and for those geniuses...Manu is not the answer for 1 or 6. Hes a 4.

[Water boy]

Well...
that was an interesting end to the season I guess, not sure how to feel.

But i feel there were some positives moving into next year.

1) Terell May to be a great leader of our forward pack with Lindsay Collins.
2) Brandon Smith will definitely have a better second season and felt he had some great games
3) Sam Walker has to stay as our 7 moving forward
4) Spencer Lenui and Dom Young are going to be great. 1. Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Joseph Manu & Dom Young (Suaalii moves on)
5) Sandon Smith's game is nice & needs to fit in somewhere not sure where.

Tupou and sualii both in their last season. Would choose sualii any day over 2poo. Choose winning over loyalty!

[theGman]

I think there is plenty of positives next year, this year was a pleasant surprise even making the 8 let alone being 6 minutes or so away from a prelim.

For next year:

- Holbrook will be a good addition to our coaching staff, he brings 168 games of head coaching experience on board plus he's been with us before so knows our club quite well.

You bring up a significant positive for 2024 onward in Holbrook.
It's no coincidence our play improved about the same time he signed on for next year. I believe unofficially he was assisting in some capacity.

[MKCS]

Oh and for those geniuses...Manu is not the answer for 1 or 6. Hes a 4.

Manu could play a role at fullback I think but you're right that he isn't a 6.

[Dr. Voodoo Man]

Shit-for-brains Robinson may not agree on point no.3

I guy like you is no position to call anyone shit for brains. You would be lucky to have a skidmark for a brain fool.

[roosterproud]

My team for 2024
1 teddy
2 2poo
3 billy
4 manu
5 young
6 kez
7 walker
8 jwh
9 cheese burger
10 collins
11 may
12 wong
13 victor

14 sandon
15 seewahlee
16 lenui
17 whyte

18 watto sitilli

[roosterproud]

Whats the thoughts of seewahlee as a 11 or 12. Big frame in attack with out the pressure of bombs

[Steggles]

No JWH?
Absoloutly kidding yourself, he’s far superior to the 20min man Leniu & while May & Wong finished the year string they’re still kids in their footy lives so the big dog is 100% & they play minutes around him. I can see JWH either starting & going hard for 30mins, or starting bench & bringing him on just before half time where he will put the fear into teams when he smashes their back up forwards.

Clearly too many sherberts. I forgot JWH; just gave myself an uppercut. JWH onto the bench for N Butcher or Whyte.

[Seventy Five]

Big positive for me is that we seemed to find an identity and own it. While we still have errors in us we finally are happy to grind and fight for every inch. Lot of the youngsters have bought into this mentality and older guys like Vic are adapting to suit.

Proud of their effort, also proud that a lot of ant Rooster people I know have admitted to a begrudging respect and admiration for the way we played. This has been reflected in the media as well. Would be great if we can take this approach into the start of next season, instead of having to redline it into the semis and beyond again.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Whats the thoughts of seewahlee as a 11 or 12. Big frame in attack with out the pressure of bombs

I think he'd be wasted there. Want him on the flank or one in, and also be able to utilise his main strength the ball in the air.

[fletch]

I don't expect him to do it but the best thing for the longevity of his career would be for Teddy to stand down from this nonsense Pacific Test series in October and get a good couple of months rest before returning to training in January.

[Bates]

wow... i agree with you

You may need a HIA