2025

[Mickie Lane]

Im basing this thread on the present moment not what might happen in the future.

I have to say Im concerned about 2025 due to the players we are losing or havnt yet re-signed & no new recruits being signed.
Im all for developing & promoting from with in but to lose JWH, Manu, Keary, Suaalii & still not re-signed Crighton & Toups plus letting Sitilli talk to other clubs is very un Rooster like.
In hindsight I cant believe we didnt sign Lomax & Luai purely for experience.
The experience we are losing cannot be replaced by up & comers, losing 1 or 2 experienced players you could replace with 1 or 2 up & comers but losing possibly 6 experienced players is madness.

Imagine next years team is Teddy, Young, Pauga, B Smith?, Mark Alphabet, S Smith, Walker, Rads, N Butcher, Wong, Collins, Cheese, May Reserves Leniu, Watson, Whyte, E Butcher.
Consider that team to the team we have now.
What happens when Teddy, Billy Smith get injured?
What happens if Mark Alphabet is a dud our replacements are untried.
And what if Collins & Leniu go down you have to bring in untried guys like the Va'a boys.
Im not saying that our up & comers aren't any good but NRL is a different beast & it takes up & comers years before they are hardened first graders.

For all I know the Roosters are in negotiations with 2 or 3 experienced SOO players but like I said at the start Im talking about the present (right now) & right now 2025's team is not looking like a Premiership winning team & remember one of the Roosters mottos is "We play to win comps" & at this stage I cant see that happening in 2025.

[takethe 2]

Yes we haven’t found ourselves in a position like this before. When we have brought in several new recruits it’s been because of having a terrible year. I dare say we are still experiencing a hangover from the retirement of Cords and Friendy.

it will be very interesting to see how it pans out.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Riveting

[takethe 2]

BBR ….. so 2025 Roosters holds no interest for you?

[Mickie Lane]

Riveting

Im glad you think so.

[BraveTheWorld]

Might be a down year, who's to say? I'm actually really intrigued to see what the squad will look like in two years.

Robinson allegedly told the baord that 2016 would be a tough year, when we lost RTS, Maloney, Jennings and whoever else, plus Jared being injured and the Pearce debacle. Was a rough old year, but things have been pretty good since then.

Nick and Trent, and the rest of the people at the Chooks are not incompetent, and have been doing this a long time now. We'll be more than alright in the longterm.

[OMR]

I have high hopes that we will retain Angus , and I think Toops has extended for a year.
I feel certain our management has some plan to recruit a couple of depth players from the NSW cup. That Dogs winger Skelton has been languishing in lower grades and would make suitable depth player

[Arties Pie]

I also was a bit shocked we didn’t go for Lomax, His iwas the one position we we really needed to fill with Manu and Suaalii leaving, Eels got him 550k , for a SOO player that’s chicken feed….Since Anderson's unfortunate accident recruitment has been fairly poor nowhere near what it was compared to when O’Sullivan was doing the job, Wish we could lure him back.

[Inflictor]

I think we'll be going B2B again.

FFS

[Mickie Lane]

I think we'll be going B2B again.

FFS

Youve got to introduce me to your dealer.

[Thirteen]

Good thread Micks.

I have no doubt that Nick and Robbo are working overtime to secure some valuable signatures.

We are The Roosters. We will be fine.

[FlamingRooster]

It’s going to be a rebuild year, but I don’t think that means we’re not going to be competitive. We have the foundations of a very strong squad, and I think a top 8 finish is still very realistic, nor do I think that a top 4 finish or even premiership run is out of the real of possibility, especially if the young players we have filling the vacancies take a step up. Definitely think there will be a few narratives to follow throughout the season.

Can Mark Nawaqanitawase make the successful transition? (Mark alphabet is crazy )

Is Rob Toia a possible future superstar? (Saw him the other day in person… fm he is huge)

can Billy Smith put together an injury free run and become the player that Chook2 believes he is ?

Is Sandon Smith out long term 5/8. (I think so, looks phenomenal when given the chance…. See Rabbitohs game this year or preliminary final vs Drizz)

can Sam make the transition from star to superstar of the game, and perhaps make his origin debut next year?

Is Leniu the next superstar prop of the game and become a 60 min player, or is his role simply to be an outstanding energizer bunny?

is Cheese going to rediscover his storm form and warrant an extension?

Is Gus a contract year merchant? (If he re-signs)

Are Blake Steep and Siua Wong future superstars? Same goes for the Va’a bros.

is Jake Elliott a future half or centre option ( haven’t really seen much of him but gee he was impressive in the u19 game)

are we going to see Collins and Radley as possible Vice captains/ co-captains and will they step up into that role.

[Vasco]

Genuine concerns mate.

We don't want a season like 2016. With senior plyers leaving there's the chance one or two clowns might lead them astray.

I guess we have to trust the club. They don't get it wrong that often.

[Lydon]

Good thread this one,and I must say I’ve also been a little concerned about what might be for 2025!

But I hold solace in the fact that we are a Club that always strives for success and gets it right more often than not..

We will be fine!

[Bansai Pipeline]

I reckon Ponga is coming.