So what’s really our best 17?

[Bates]

Savala was playing on the left for both of Toops tries last week. I don’t think playing there permanently would be an issue.

Watch our left edge attack improve significantly when Savala plays 6 and links up with his outside men. Gus will become a weapon once again!

Sandon's strength is his running game! His ball paying is what let's him down. Sandon is often in two minds before throwing the wrong pass. This also effects the timing of the ball receiver.

[Bondicigar]

Savala was playing on the left for both of Toops tries last week. I don’t think playing there permanently would be an issue.

Probably not

[King Salvo]

It's nice to have options
Savalas roll will change significantly if Walker comes back and steers the ship taking over the bulk of kicking in general play. Walker predominantly played the right side when keary was 5/8 . Walker and Savala pairing means one has to change to the left edge . Walker for Savala could be looked at as a less disruptive change. Imo
either way I'm happy

Sam Walker is not a game-managing and controlling half though, and may never be either, nor is he a yardage kicker such as Hugo Savala is - off the cuff is Sam's go - DCE plays right side in D, as does Sam Walker.

Hugo has the better yardage and attacking kicking game of the three ( Hugo/Sandon/Sam) and receives a lot of training in kicking from Cooper Cronk and especially Nick Davis, a former Sydney Swans Premiership winning AFL Player. Hugo was at the Sydney Swans Academy, the same as Tom Trbojevic was as well.

Hugo at this stage has to be in the starting 13 as halfback so it's out of Sandon and Sam for the 5/8 role.

[Bondicigar]

Sam Walker is not a game-managing and controlling half though, and may never be either, nor is he a yardage kicker such as Hugo Savala is - off the cuff is Sam's go - DCE plays right side in D, as does Sam Walker.

Hugo has the better yardage and attacking kicking game of the three ( Hugo/Sandon/Sam) and receives a lot of training in kicking from Cooper Cronk and especially Nick Davis, a former Sydney Swans Premiership winning AFL Player. Hugo was at the Sydney Swans Academy, the same as Tom Trbojevic was as well.

Hugo at this stage has to be in the starting 13 as halfback so it's out of Sandon and Sam for the 5/8 role.

Sam Walker might fancy himself as a top shelf half worth top shelf money . The next Queensland half , game manager , controlling , kicking , createing , captaining. He's earnt the right to take ownership of the Chooks and I can't see Robbo shifting him unless he wants it.
great chance I'm wrong , just my opinion

[Steakface]

Sandon's strength is his running game! His ball paying is what let's him down. Sandon is often in two minds before throwing the wrong pass. This also effects the timing of the ball receiver.

Is there any legs to the rumour Sandon was a very good fullback in juniors?

Or is he simply someone who can 'do a job' in the no.1 without setting the world on fire?

[MKCS]

For me:

1. Tedesco 2. Tupou 3. B. Smith 4. Toia 5. Mark N 6. Savala 7. Walker 8. Collins 9. Watson 10. Whyte 11. Crichton 12. Wong 13. Radley

14. ZDC 15. Leniu 16. N. Butcher 17. Steep

---

Get that side on the field for the entire second half of the season and we could really cause quite a few upsets, additions of DCE and Robson in 2026 will turn the side into the best in the comp, exciting times ahead.

Really

Coach Robinson always spoke highly of the Mercurial Hutchinator and Paul Momirovski, who was also a valuable member of Penrith's winning premiership side in 2021 during their time at the Roosters.

Mmm so now you dish dirt on Coach Robinson even.

I really liked Momirovski but he was pretty much the perfect depth player, had played a fair bit of first grade due to injuries and the like, had finals experience for us and Penrith with the grand final win but he was never someone we should've had in our first grade sides as he wasn't consistently good enough.

As for Hutch, same for him, a decent depth half but that's it, Robbo really got it wrong by trying to make him the next Mitch Aubusson.

[roosterproud]

1. Teðdy
2. 2poo
3. Billy
4. Toia
5. Marky Mark
6. Hugo
7. Sammy
8. Whyte
9. Watto
10. Lindsay
11. Angus
12. Wongy
13. Victor
14. Sandon
15. LenIiu
16. Blake
17. Foketi
18. Makahese

[top_joe]

Suspect we bay lose both Butcher Bros over the next couple of years with the young ones coming through - perhaps some of them have a higher ceiling (Steep/Foketi in back row), Va'a boys and taylor up front

[Chook2]

It's nice to have options
Savalas roll will change significantly if Walker comes back and steers the ship taking over the bulk of kicking in general play. Walker predominantly played the right side when keary was 5/8 . Walker and Savala pairing means one has to change to the left edge . Walker for Savala could be looked at as a less disruptive change. Imo
either way I'm happy

I just don’t see any value with Sandon as a half apart from running

his passing game is poor
and kicking

was so refreshing to see some actual good cross field kicks from savala which we scored 2 tries off! We have the tallest backline in the comp but I don’t believe we use this to our advantage enough

[Rooster90]

Foketi is a lock for the 17. Effective in the middle and on an edge. Super talent.

Everything that Robbo thinks Egan Butcher is

[Rooster90]

Suspect we bay lose both Butcher Bros over the next couple of years with the young ones coming through - perhaps some of them have a higher ceiling (Steep/Foketi in back row), Va'a boys and taylor up front

Both are signed until the end of 2027, I'd be trying to convince the Perth Bears these guys can be a cornerstone of a club.

On the Bears - someone like Angus Crichton is off contract end of next week and would be a prime target for them (turns 30 next year)

Our long term backrow is Foketi, Wong, Steep so i don't see the Roosters standing in his way if he were to receive a long term deal.

[rented tracksuit]

Not everyone

mmm don't overlook Sandon Smith/ Hugo Savala as the halves as they played a lot together as a halves combo since Junior Pathways - Maybe Walker is the odd player out - Remember when the Roosters signed John Simon - Adrian Lam kept him out - stranger things have happened

If this happens you can refer to me by pronouns and I won’t have a problem with it.

["gaz"]

I suspect that ZDC may drop down the pecking order from this point, as Beniah and Tyler are back from early season injuries.
He was only offered a contract late when the two above and Coleman were injured early in the season

[BraveTheWorld]

Don't think ZDC will be in the 17 at full strength. Sandon is a better limited minute hooker, and covers a couple of other positions. Don't see any reason why ZDC would be ahead of him.

[Bates]

Is there any legs to the rumour Sandon was a very good fullback in juniors?

Or is he simply someone who can 'do a job' in the no.1 without setting the world on fire?

I'm not sure mate.

I like my fullbacks a little taller.

He was a reasonable 14 last year. His scoots from dummy half were quite effective.