DCE confirms career call for 2026

[Steggles]

Hugo and Walker aren't going to win us a comp this year, that's just absurd. Maybe in 2027 they will after DCE is finished here and Hugo continues to develop.

So why is that so absurd?
Walker was playing great footy before his ACL at the end of last year and was as massive part of our to our surge to the finals. If he regains that form, anything is possible.
As to Savala, he’s adding a few dimensions that were missing last year with Keary; calmness, more selective passing, strong defence and a long kicking game.
I think the two can complement each other so well.
If our forwards can hold their own up front, I see no reason why these young guys can’t lead us to a comp.

[HunchoRooster]

First bit of hesitation Ive had about him coming here since the rumor started.

He was bloody awful last night. That being said, he wasn’t alone in that and he is still a very very good player.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Hugo and Walker aren't going to win us a comp this year, that's just absurd. Maybe in 2027 they will after DCE is finished here and Hugo continues to develop.

Hugo is already better than DCE. DCE will now be dropped from origin, because he's finished. Time catches up with players sometimes overnight - just ask Freddie.

You like to sprout stats from a handful of games. In the last 10 seasons Manly have made the eight 4 times, and made the top 4 just once. And played in zero grand finals. Manly have seen a lot more of him than you, especially lately, and they want him gone.

To have a 37 has-been in Hugo's way, and put Hugo effectively on the back burner for a season, will be one the stupidest decisions this club has ever made. Especially given we have Walker returning, who would be replacing DCE in origin now if he wasn't injured.

Walker and Hugo is the combo for the future. $1 million a season washed up DCE is not needed nor wanted. That you cannot see that is unfathomable.

[JAF]

Maybe to get out of this deal, we sign DCE as an additional halves consultant (like Cronk) or captain/coach of our reserves team??

[The Lip]

If the contract hasn't been registered with the NRL, then we can backflip on the backflipper - how ironic would that be!!

It all now comes down to how much Nick's handshake is worth ...

He’s Greek - he knows where the back door is!

[caz]

don't know what the 'agreement' is. maybe dce could sue the club if we change our minds. depends on what was said. presumably any settlement wouldn't contribute to the salary cap.
that said, if he comes he probably won't miss games because of origin

[Lockie]

maybe we can start a petition

say no to dce

im in

[roostermcgregor]

Silly post here, McGregor.

- Yes, I'd move DCE on from Origin with eyes towards a younger combination for 2026. Dearden and Walker would probably be that combination as they could play the next 6-8 years together as QLD's halves combination whilst DCE will play next year only at best. Completely different to the situation here at the Roosters because here he's coming to replace Hugo/Sandon whilst in the QLD Origin side they can slot Dearden in who has played a fair few Origin games, represented Australia and is considered one of the better halves in the comp.

- I never really advocated for DCE for 2027 but 2026 I'm keen on, yes. If he has a great 2026 then I'd take him for 2027 as well.

- My main arguments have not been that DCE is an Origin player so we must sign him, my argument is that he beats both our current halves statistically, beat our primary half in almost everything last season and that he's still a great player for the team to sign. His success in representative football is a small bit of icing on the cake because players get so much experience out of those games and gain so much from them but the main reason I want him here is because he's a good player, that's proven by him being the second best half on the field last night.

- Do I know what I'm talking about? Not more than any other fan tbh. I'm not a rugby league expert, just a fan with an opinion.

- Sandon and Savala will not win us a premiership in 2026, I stand by that.

- As for supporting another club and being here just to sabotage, you're actually spot on about this one, I'm actually psychic and signed up in 2022 knowing that in 2025 there would be a discussion about DCE coming to the Chooks and I've just bided my time pretending to be a fan for almost 3 years knowing my time would soon come, I also know that Robbo reads the forums and will take my posts seriously enough to sign players based off what I say.

You continually change your arguments to justify your infatuation with DCE.
First of all you argue that he is a superior player to Hugo/ Sandon, because he played SOO/ Australia.
But now you advocate that he should step down from Origin, obviously because you agree that he is no longer SOO standard.
By default, your arguments confirm that DCE’s ability as a player is in rapid decline.
Hence, I said you appear confused, because you still argue that he is right for the Roosters, despite admitting that he is no longer up to scratch.
The majority of the public, Queensland fans, the Media, commentators, Manly and Rooster fans, think along the same lines, especially after last night’s SOO game.
To say DCE is a superior player to Hugo/Sandon is just your opinion, backed up by statistics that you quote, which I , and most others, don’t even bother to read. Sandon and Hugo have alternately had brilliant games this year, and because they are young and learning, the ceiling for both is unlimited. I would love to retain Hugo/ Sandon and Walker at the Roosters, as I believe they are special players.
You may want to read the Manly/Silvertails forum about DCE that is quoted and linked in this thread. Lots of Manly fans think that Hugo and Sandon are brilliant. Some of them even tip us to win the competition with our halves - they haven’t even considered Walker.
As for DCE, he is in rapid decline because of his age. His performances at club and rep level are ordinary.
Next year, he will be another year older and the decline will continue - his on field performances will be much worse.
I posted on the Chookpen , months ago, that DCE has done “nothing” for Manly over the last 12 years, and he would do “nothing “ for QLD in the 2025 SOO series.
I’ve been proven right so far.
My last prediction was that DCE would be playing reserve grade, much to the derision of lots of posters here, many pointing to his SOO / Australian credentials to support their case.
I will back my 3rd prediction- maybe by year end , or sometime next year , wherever DCE ends up.

[dice]

Maybe we can start a petition

say no to DCE

yes to DiCE

[HDTONE]

First sewing Hugo play in top grade I thought the dude was over hyped.

Whoa 100% saying I was dead wrong and got the dunce come on

But fact is he's damn fine and no way put him to one side while DCE comes to pick up a nice payday

Use some of the DCE $$$ to upgrade Hugo and let him play next to Sammy next year.

Reckon you'd find most Chooks supporters happy to stay with Hugo and let DCE sort himself elsewhere

[Inflictor]

I think we need a new Chookpen survey to see if the numbers have changed since Hugo has shown us what he is capable of.

FFS

[MKCS]

So why is that so absurd?
Walker was playing great footy before his ACL at the end of last year and was as massive part of our to our surge to the finals. If he regains that form, anything is possible.
As to Savala, he’s adding a few dimensions that were missing last year with Keary; calmness, more selective passing, strong defence and a long kicking game.
I think the two can complement each other so well.
If our forwards can hold their own up front, I see no reason why these young guys can’t lead us to a comp.

It's absurd because the forum overrates Hugo quite a bit, I like him as well, think he has plenty of potential and reading his passion for the Roosters here the other day was fantastic to read but he is a player that is not worth the hype that everyone is putting on him.

Savala was really strong and dominated the Sharks, he was the starting halfback in that game where we got towelled up by Penrith by 30, he couldn't get us home against the Bulldogs and his other winning efforts include Brisbane, Dolphins and St George who are teams expected to either scrape the 8 this year or not make it at all.

So because he was decent against bottom 8 sides and the Sharks the forum now thinks that somehow he's going to be the guy that helps get us across the line against teams like Melbourne, Bulldogs, Raiders and other teams currently expected to go deep into the finals and just don't mention getting smashed by the team currently running last.

Your assessment of him is accurate though, him and Walker will do good together, his kicking game is much more troubling than Keary and he does add some things we were missing, he isn't going to lead the 2025 rebuilding Roosters to the greatest underdog grand final win of all time though, that's just a fairy tale.

Hugo is already better than DCE. DCE will now be dropped from origin, because he's finished. Time catches up with players sometimes overnight - just ask Freddie.

You like to sprout stats from a handful of games. In the last 10 seasons Manly have made the eight 4 times, and made the top 4 just once. And played in zero grand finals. Manly have seen a lot more of him than you, especially lately, and they want him gone.

To have a 37 has-been in Hugo's way, and put Hugo effectively on the back burner for a season, will be one the stupidest decisions this club has ever made. Especially given we have Walker returning, who would be replacing DCE in origin now if he wasn't injured.

Walker and Hugo is the combo for the future. $1 million a season washed up DCE is not needed nor wanted. That you cannot see that is unfathomable.

If Hugo is better than DCE I'd hope that Laurie Daley is on the phone to him, Hugo can come in and replace Mitch Moses who was outplayed by DCE last night.

[Lockie]

There already is one and No I didn't start it.

https://www.petitions.net/sydney_roo...o_not_sign_dce

signed it

[Inflictor]

It's absurd because the forum overrates Hugo quite a bit, I like him as well, think he has plenty of potential and reading his passion for the Roosters here the other day was fantastic to read but he is a player that is not worth the hype that everyone is putting on him.

Savala was really strong and dominated the Sharks, he was the starting halfback in that game where we got towelled up by Penrith by 30, he couldn't get us home against the Bulldogs and his other winning efforts include Brisbane, Dolphins and St George who are teams expected to either scrape the 8 this year or not make it at all.

So because he was decent against bottom 8 sides and the Sharks the forum now thinks that somehow he's going to be the guy that helps get us across the line against teams like Melbourne, Bulldogs, Raiders and other teams currently expected to go deep into the finals and just don't mention getting smashed by the team currently running last.

Your assessment of him is accurate though, him and Walker will do good together, his kicking game is much more troubling than Keary and he does add some things we were missing, he isn't going to lead the 2025 rebuilding Roosters to the greatest underdog grand final win of all time though, that's just a fairy tale.





If Hugo is better than DCE I'd hope that Laurie Daley is on the phone to him, Hugo can come in and replace Mitch Moses who was outplayed by DCE last night.

I thought DCE got outplayed against a pathetic Dragons and did nothing against the Sharks twice. Got towelled up by the Storm. Beat the current wooden spooners. And was a passenger last night. All in his last 7 games

[Mr Whippet]

[QUOTE=Lockie;n1102847]

signed it


As have I.

And as resigned to us having him, I am not a happy Whippet.