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Originally posted by Waylander
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ROOSTERS SQUAD v STORM
Round 7 - 7:50PM, Thursday 18th April
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
This will be a big test. Melbourne are not playing great, but they just seem to find a way to win, regardless. I've watched them get out of jail a number of times already this year, including last week against the Dogs. They don't panic. They build pressure. They execute when the opportunity arises.
We could learn a lot from all that.
Our big plus is that we are playing them at Allianz, and although that hasn't bothered them in the past, it sure as hell is better than playing them down there. There 4 wins so far this year have all been in Melbourne. There only trip away to date was a narrow loss to Newcastle, albeit without a few of their stars (notably Munster & Hughes). But we were also missing a few of our stars against the same opposition, and managed a narrow win. I'm not going to make the mistake of reading too much into that though.
Walker is still out ... named, but in #22 in the extended squad. I can only assume he has had ongoing concussion symptoms.
Edit: the Roosters app release says Walker is "on standby". Read into that what you will, but it sounds like Robbo liked what he saw with the Kez/Watson combo last week. That's just my guess ... I know nothing.
The inclusions are headlined by the return of Teddy, but a couple of other more subtle changes are also of interest. With Manu back at right center, Jenko moves to the left ... his more natural side. I like the look of the left side attack with Toops, Jenko & Angus outside Kez. I reckon there's a few points in us down that side. It looks better in D as well, as Jenko is a good reader of play, and generally doesn't miss many tackles. It also keeps Suaalii on the right wing, where he belongs.
Sitili is out under concussion stand-down, so Egan replace him on the bench.
This shaping as a real tough one. We don't have a great record against the Storm, having not beaten them since 2019. But I don't think they are quite the same team as they have been in recent years. Natural attrition has eroded some of their talent, and they certainly don't have the depth they once had. If we turn up, they are there for the taking ... but it will take an 80 minute effort. And that's something that we don't seem to achieve all that often.
A solid win here could well be season defining (let's not dwell on the other possibilities). It's onwards and upwards from here!!
Roosters by 4.
GO EASTS !!
ROOSTERS:
1. Teddy
2. Tupou
3. Jennings
4. Manu
5. Suaalii
6. Watson
7. Keary
8. JWH
9. Smith, B
10. Collins
11. Butcher, N
12. Chrichton
13. Radley
INTERCHANGE:
14. Dockar-Clay
15. Whyte
16. Butcher, E
17. May
RESERVES:
18. Pauga
19. Napa
20. McCathie
21. Ioelu
22. Walker
Round 7 - 7:50PM, Thursday 18th April
Allianz Stadium, Sydney
This will be a big test. Melbourne are not playing great, but they just seem to find a way to win, regardless. I've watched them get out of jail a number of times already this year, including last week against the Dogs. They don't panic. They build pressure. They execute when the opportunity arises.
We could learn a lot from all that.
Our big plus is that we are playing them at Allianz, and although that hasn't bothered them in the past, it sure as hell is better than playing them down there. There 4 wins so far this year have all been in Melbourne. There only trip away to date was a narrow loss to Newcastle, albeit without a few of their stars (notably Munster & Hughes). But we were also missing a few of our stars against the same opposition, and managed a narrow win. I'm not going to make the mistake of reading too much into that though.
Walker is still out ... named, but in #22 in the extended squad. I can only assume he has had ongoing concussion symptoms.
Edit: the Roosters app release says Walker is "on standby". Read into that what you will, but it sounds like Robbo liked what he saw with the Kez/Watson combo last week. That's just my guess ... I know nothing.
The inclusions are headlined by the return of Teddy, but a couple of other more subtle changes are also of interest. With Manu back at right center, Jenko moves to the left ... his more natural side. I like the look of the left side attack with Toops, Jenko & Angus outside Kez. I reckon there's a few points in us down that side. It looks better in D as well, as Jenko is a good reader of play, and generally doesn't miss many tackles. It also keeps Suaalii on the right wing, where he belongs.
Sitili is out under concussion stand-down, so Egan replace him on the bench.
This shaping as a real tough one. We don't have a great record against the Storm, having not beaten them since 2019. But I don't think they are quite the same team as they have been in recent years. Natural attrition has eroded some of their talent, and they certainly don't have the depth they once had. If we turn up, they are there for the taking ... but it will take an 80 minute effort. And that's something that we don't seem to achieve all that often.
A solid win here could well be season defining (let's not dwell on the other possibilities). It's onwards and upwards from here!!
Roosters by 4.
GO EASTS !!
ROOSTERS:
1. Teddy
2. Tupou
3. Jennings
4. Manu
5. Suaalii
6. Watson
7. Keary
8. JWH
9. Smith, B
10. Collins
11. Butcher, N
12. Chrichton
13. Radley
INTERCHANGE:
14. Dockar-Clay
15. Whyte
16. Butcher, E
17. May
RESERVES:
18. Pauga
19. Napa
20. McCathie
21. Ioelu
22. Walker
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