After 6 Years we finally get a real 7 and 9

[Fishwa]

Regardless of where he ends up, I think that DCE hasnt announced anything now is a bit odd. November 1 is irrelevant to him as he is out of contract, and he hasnt played for over 6 weeks now - so had plenty of time to come to a decision.

i get he may have wanted to get out of the spotlight at seasons end and decide his future.

From a Roosters point of view, if he isnt signing, surely they would want to know now because the dollars put aside for him for next season could be spent on someone, or at the very least put towards an upgrade for this year, and then target someone different from Nov 1 for 2027

[BraveTheWorld]

I don't know, I have kind of felt like he isn't coming for a while now - right when I started to stopped being vehemently against the idea. It is very bizarre that it hasn't been announced at this point, if it is as much of a "done deal" as everyone has been saying. I don't see any motive to not announce it.

[Fishwa]

I actually sit in the camp that i think he would be a great signing for the club for a season, so i hope he does sign, but yeah, it just makes no sense to not announce it now.

Assume he has, when does the club go back to training? you would think he would want to be there from Day 1 - so get all this hoopla out of the way now. i am sure there is a valid reason (which i think might be he is considering retirement), but yeah even from a club point - surely they want to know now with Nov 1 fast approaching

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

I actually sit in the camp that i think he would be a great signing for the club for a season, so i hope he does sign, but yeah, it just makes no sense to not announce it now.

Assume he has, when does the club go back to training? you would think he would want to be there from Day 1 - so get all this hoopla out of the way now. i am sure there is a valid reason (which i think might be he is considering retirement), but yeah even from a club point - surely they want to know now with Nov 1 fast approaching

Honestly, why do you think that? Please can you say why, specifically, why would it be a "great signing" to have him here for one season?

Why? What do we do the season after? Who will he get in the way of by being here for one farkin year? Hugo probably, but then he's also then in the way of Rodwell and all the other young halves down the line, for one pointless farkin season. We have Sam and Hugo. They are both 23. Their best years are in front of them. They are a magnificent halves combination in the making. Hugo's high class structured play and great long kicking (and defence), and Walker's brilliance and off the cuff and short kicking. They have it all. Most other teams in the comp would kill to have Hugo and Walker locked up for multiple seasons.

Why are we interrupting their development as a combination, a combination that shows so much promise, for one farkin season?

MKCS I've heard your nonsense a thousand farking times so pls spare me.

Fishwa, pls help me out.

PS: Cherry Evans - 1 top four finish in his last 10 seasons. And only 3 other top eight finishes in those 10 seasons.

[Steggles]

Honestly, why do you think that? Please can you say why, specifically, why would it be a "great signing" to have him here for one season?

Why? What do we do the season after? Who will he get in the way of by being here for one farkin year? Hugo probably, but then he's also then in the way of Rodwell and all the other young halves down the line, for one pointless farkin season. We have Sam and Hugo. They are both 23. Their best years are in front of them. They are a magnificent halves combination in the making. Hugo's high class structured play and great long kicking (and defence), and Walker's brilliance and off the cuff and short kicking. They have it all. Most other teams in the comp would kill to have Hugo and Walker locked up for multiple seasons.

Why are we interrupting their development as a combination, a combination that shows so much promise, for one farkin season?

MKCS I've heard your nonsense a thousand farking times so pls spare me.

Fishwa, pls help me out.

PS: Cherry Evans - 1 top four finish in his last 10 seasons. And only 3 other top eight finishes in those 10 seasons.

And as you dump shit on MKCS for repeating his view on DCE numerous times, right back at you with your banging on about DCE’s top 4/8 finishes stats. It’s getting equally tiresome, if not more so because you’re a nasty bugger.

Whilst you’re on DCE’s stats, you know Kevin Hastings never won a comp. I (and many others) consider Horrie our best ever halfback, yet he never won a comp. Top 4/8 stats for DCE are as meaningless as Horrie zero premierships; both outstanding players.

[Mickie Lane]

Honestly, why do you think that? Please can you say why, specifically, why would it be a "great signing" to have him here for one season?

Why? What do we do the season after? Who will he get in the way of by being here for one farkin year? Hugo probably, but then he's also then in the way of Rodwell and all the other young halves down the line, for one pointless farkin season. We have Sam and Hugo. They are both 23. Their best years are in front of them. They are a magnificent halves combination in the making. Hugo's high class structured play and great long kicking (and defence), and Walker's brilliance and off the cuff and short kicking. They have it all. Most other teams in the comp would kill to have Hugo and Walker locked up for multiple seasons.

Why are we interrupting their development as a combination, a combination that shows so much promise, for one farkin season?

MKCS I've heard your nonsense a thousand farking times so pls spare me.

Fishwa, pls help me out.

PS: Cherry Evans - 1 top four finish in his last 10 seasons. And only 3 other top eight finishes in those 10 seasons.

Take it up with Robbo about why we're signing him for 1 farkin season. Please let us all know what Robbo's answer is to your farkin question.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Take it up with Robbo about why we're signing him for 1 farkin season. Please let us all know what Robbo's answer is to your farkin question.

I already know Robbo's answer. "We went off half cocked before Hugo had a chance to show his quality. Now we're left holding the DCE can."

But I am interested in how anyone now, with the value of hindsight, could possibly think DCE is a good signing, for one season.

And don't forget old mate Steggles... just four top 8 finishes in 10 seasons. One top 4 finish.

Zero grand finals.

He's no Cronk.

[BraveTheWorld]

I already know Robbo's answer. "We went off half cocked before Hugo had a chance to show his quality. Now we're left holding the DCE can."

But I am interested in how anyone now, with the value of hindsight, could possibly think DCE is a good signing, for one season.

And don't forget old mate Steggles... just four top 8 finishes in 10 seasons. One top 4 finish.

Zero grand finals.

He's no Cronk.

I could take him or leave him. I didn't want him all year, but he was going well at the back end of this year, and, provided his body does fall away over the off-season, we would have one of the best spines in the comp with him next year. As long as we take him for one year, don't lose Hugo, his body is still up to it and he helps guide through some of the fantastic young halves we have, I think it could be worthwhile. I also feel like his game management generally utterly eclipes anyone else in the squad, and is something that we religiously struggle with. I think our window is open for next year if he comes. Maybe it is regardless.

Bearing in mind, I was against the idea all year and probably still would be if push came to shove. But I'm not as aggressivley opposed as I was.

I may have misread your message, but he has played in and won a GF - in his debut year. Plenty of terrific players don't win them, especially when it is the Storm, Roosters and Panthers gobbling them up every year for a decade.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

I could take him or leave him. I didn't want him all year, but he was going well at the back end of this year, and, provided his body does fall away over the off-season, we would have one of the best spines in the comp with him next year. As long as we take him for one year, don't lose Hugo, his body is still up to it and he helps guide through some of the fantastic young halves we have, I think it could be worthwhile. I also feel like his game management generally utterly eclipes anyone else in the squad, and is something that we religiously struggle with. I think our window is open for next year if he comes. Maybe it is regardless.

Bearing in mind, I was against the idea all year and probably still would be if push came to shove. But I'm not as aggressivley opposed as I was.

I may have misread your message, but he has played in and won a GF - in his debut year. Plenty of terrific players don't win them, especially when it is the Storm, Roosters and Panthers gobbling them up every year for a decade.

A fair and reasonable and well written response. I know he's not a terrible footballer, and it's a credit to him that he is still playing at this level at soon to be 37.

And his game management is good, and maybe we do lack that. But the future for us Hugo and Sam and the younger kids coming through.

The stats quoted are for his last 10 seasons. Yes he did win a comp in 2011, 15 seasons ago.

I just can't believe Roosters fans who can't see how good Hugo is. He is a proper footballer, the best local junior half we've unearthed in forever. Watch online the videos of both Johns brothers separately going through his plays via the videos and raving about Hugo.

And after a brilliant debut season, Hugo is now going to be a reserve or maybe not even playing first grade, because DCE is?

Can't happen.

It hasn't been announced, so I cling to a sliver of hope.

[Bates]

A fair and reasonable and well written response. I know he's not a terrible footballer, and it's a credit to him that he is still playing at this level at soon to be 37.

And his game management is good, and maybe we do lack that. But the future for us Hugo and Sam and the younger kids coming through.

The stats quoted are for his last 10 seasons. Yes he did win a comp in 2011, 15 seasons ago.

I just can't believe Roosters fans who can't see how good Hugo is. He is a proper footballer, the best local junior half we've unearthed in forever. Watch online the videos of both Johns brothers separately going through his plays via the videos and raving about Hugo.

And after a brilliant debut season, Hugo is now going to be a reserve or maybe not even playing first grade, because DCE is?

Can't happen.

It hasn't been announced, so I cling to a sliver of hope.

The cream always rises to the top so if he's as good as you think he is he'll inevitably be recognised, rewarded and lock down a 1st grade position.

Some hide when they're relegated and others become better!

[Fishwa]

I dont have a lot to add on top of the reasons stated above as to why i think DCE would be good for a year, but ill add a couple of small points in addition;

I think in a few games this season, we did show a lack of maturity in the halves - the Raiders game and Sharks final come to mind where i thought we needed something from the halves - 2 different games but it seemed when plan A wasnt working, or stopped working, we lack the ability to change or halt things.

I think the other points - DCE's long kicking game is exceptional - so is Hugo's, but DCE offers a lot more in attack and has a good short kicking game. In the opposition 30 - we relied a lot on Walker - and little on Hugo - so i think DCE gives great balance both sides of the field - makes the team more unpredictable.

As stated, both halves are 23 - long careers ahead - i actually think they will both benefit from being on the field with him. Regardless of stats, DCE has been a world class half for over a decade, and i just think both Sam and Hugo will be even better players from a year with him. Similar i think Keary learnt a lot off Cronk, and hence had a better career after Cooper left because of it - obviously hard to measure but Keary did develop into a leader post Cronk - which i dont think was by accident.

Thats why i dont view this as halting Hugo's development - rather enhancing it

I also think we have lost a lot of experience, and of course Teddy is fantastic but i dont think it hurts for our squad to have more - some of our experienced players i wouldnt necessarily put in the 'leader' category - which isnt a bad thing - just saying some players are natural leaders, some are just great footballers - you need both

In regards to the one year contract - i get it on the surface - but i think the point above is a factor, but i also think, the Club doesn't hide that they play to win premierships every year - so if a player will help us do that - thats what they will do. Other clubs arent like that - each to their own. Ive never heard a Roosters official say we need a 5-year plan or anything like that - they want to win now, and i think its a great philosophy.

I agree with your point that if it meant Hugo was to leave - id possibly rethink it - but that doesnt look like its going to happen.

On the flip side, if he doesnt come - it does mean there would be money in the cap - so would be interesting to see how that is utalised

[ism22]

IMO he's a good pick if he Cronks it and delivers us a premiership. As good as walker/Hugo's development may be, grabbing a premiership is greater than all.

Disrespectful yes, but IMO neither Brisbane nor Melbourne were amazing this year and the premiership really was a matter of good luck. Door was open and Sharks had a mad 2 game surge to roll us and a tired Faders outfit (who make no mistake, were robbed against Brisbane).

The door's wide open in 2026 and I think we need the CONSISTENCY to make the top 4 so that we avoid a shytefark where we get bundled out by inconsistency during the finals.

IMO our ceiling is high but our floor's also really low. To me DCE's mission would be to make sure we don't let those 'shoulda beaten them' games fall through the cracks as in aggregate they ALWAYS fark us over, causing panic during the final ~8-10 rounds instead of the confidence/calmness that a team this capable should have.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

I dont have a lot to add on top of the reasons stated above as to why i think DCE would be good for a year, but ill add a couple of small points in addition;

I think in a few games this season, we did show a lack of maturity in the halves - the Raiders game and Sharks final come to mind where i thought we needed something from the halves - 2 different games but it seemed when plan A wasnt working, or stopped working, we lack the ability to change or halt things.

I think the other points - DCE's long kicking game is exceptional - so is Hugo's, but DCE offers a lot more in attack and has a good short kicking game. In the opposition 30 - we relied a lot on Walker - and little on Hugo - so i think DCE gives great balance both sides of the field - makes the team more unpredictable.

As stated, both halves are 23 - long careers ahead - i actually think they will both benefit from being on the field with him. Regardless of stats, DCE has been a world class half for over a decade, and i just think both Sam and Hugo will be even better players from a year with him. Similar i think Keary learnt a lot off Cronk, and hence had a better career after Cooper left because of it - obviously hard to measure but Keary did develop into a leader post Cronk - which i dont think was by accident.

Thats why i dont view this as halting Hugo's development - rather enhancing it

I also think we have lost a lot of experience, and of course Teddy is fantastic but i dont think it hurts for our squad to have more - some of our experienced players i wouldnt necessarily put in the 'leader' category - which isnt a bad thing - just saying some players are natural leaders, some are just great footballers - you need both

In regards to the one year contract - i get it on the surface - but i think the point above is a factor, but i also think, the Club doesn't hide that they play to win premierships every year - so if a player will help us do that - thats what they will do. Other clubs arent like that - each to their own. Ive never heard a Roosters official say we need a 5-year plan or anything like that - they want to win now, and i think its a great philosophy.

I agree with your point that if it meant Hugo was to leave - id possibly rethink it - but that doesnt look like its going to happen.

On the flip side, if he doesnt come - it does mean there would be money in the cap - so would be interesting to see how that is utalised

A lot of words to say very little, but in the end you want us to sign the oldest player in the comp, for one season. If it meant Hugo was to leave, you'd "possibly rethink it".

"Possibly."

You might still take DCE for one season, and sacrifice Hugo?

Seriously. Just mindless.

[Mr Whippet]

A lot of words to say very little, but in the end you want us to sign the oldest player in the comp, for one season. If it meant Hugo was to leave, you'd "possibly rethink it".

"Possibly."

You might still take DCE for one season, and sacrifice Hugo?

Seriously. Just mindless.

I'm with you on this one BBR.
Too old and not needed.
Thought thr penny would have dropped after Chad.

[ism22]

I'm with you on this one BBR.
Too old and not needed.
Thought thr penny would have dropped after Chad.

I assumed Chad would be a serviceable, mid-range, veteran half. WTF happened there?

Doubt Cherry will be that bad. Chad was kinda like Reece Robinson in that it was exciting to see a player of that calibre sign with us for chips (surely he's serviceable!!!) but he'd 'lost his confidence'.

Seemed like Chad was training hard and positive the whole time too. He just lacked the speed and confidence to keep up with the game?