My 2013 Sydney Roosters Team (Updated)

[Guest]

A lock is the linchpin to your defence, needs to be a good defender and with our props needs to offer go forward. Neither are SBW's strengths. Tied to one side of the field really isn't as bad as you're making it out to be; Mateo has had great success on the left side of the field for the Warriors and I'd argue he's just as creative as SBW and it hasn't been a hindrance for him. Glenn Stewart is another good example.

The only way SBW will ever get a roaming role is if he plays at lock and then you're wasting him by asking him to make 40+ tackles a game.

As I said hypothetically couldn't Cordner defend in the middle and attack on an edge? I honestly can't see how that would be a problem.

In terms of go forward players like Hinchcliffe or Johnson wouldn't break through tissue paper, yet play at lock. With SBW's size, speed and footwork he would be as effective as any tight forward in the game. That's what your not thinking about he isn't some run of the mill player, he is a freak.

[Guest]

lol @ people thinking Politis doesn't choose whether Mini plays or not.

He who pays the check, choses the place Ziyi Zhang does her striptease.

[elo]

His offloading ability would be wasted in the middle of the field, you want a weapon like SBW running lines at smaller players on the edges with a centre on the outside of him and a half/fullback inside of him as the offloading options. There is zero chance he'll be wasted in the middle of the field doing the dirty work.

[Guest]

His offloading ability would be wasted in the middle of the field, you want a weapon like SBW running lines at smaller players on the edges with a centre on the outside of him and a half/fullback inside of him as the offloading options. There is zero chance he'll be wasted in the middle of the field doing the dirty work.

I honestly can't see how it would be wasted he would have more room with more people around him. You play him on one side teams know when and where he will get the ball.

Also I can't imagine him taking the first few runs in a set that's what your props are there for.

No matter where they play him he will be good. All I'm saying is that whether it's your gun centre or back rower when you limit them to one side of the field they can become more easily defended.

[Guest]

Not sure about Evans but other than that yep.

kevan is ready.
he needs to bulk the legs over the pre season, get some trials under his belt and debut off the bench ala james graham

[Rooster_6]

As I said hypothetically couldn't Cordner defend in the middle and attack on an edge? I honestly can't see how that would be a problem.

In terms of go forward players like Hinchcliffe or Johnson wouldn't break through tissue paper, yet play at lock. With SBW's size, speed and footwork he would be as effective as any tight forward in the game. That's what your not thinking about he isn't some run of the mill player, he is a freak.

I hear you, it's an interesting concept that I've thought about before but there's a few issues I have with it is 1) He's going to get caught out of position alot if he's roaming and having to run back into position after every set isn't ideal for anyone 2) You'd think Robinson is going to break down our defensive structures and go right back to the basics so the less complex the game plan the easier to execute 3) I've never seen another NRL club do it successfully and; 4) I think we need the extra go forward from our lock as we've still got a very green front row.

There might be some merit in letting him roam when we get in the opposition 20 but I certainly wouldn't have him play at lock for the majority of the game and I'm still not he'd be convinced that he'd be limited by playing of the right fringe.

Also Dallas Johnson & Hinchcliffe play in 2 of the top 4 ranked teams in go forward, their role is different because they're not required to make metres. We need it from our lock because we're ranked in 3rd last in go forward due to having such a young front row rotation that will probably only get younger next year with Napa & Evans good chances of getting a run.

[Guest]

1.RTS
2.Moga
3.BJ
4.SKD
5.Tupou
6.Maloney
7.Pearce
8.JWH
9.Seluini
10.Kennedy
11.Guerra
12.SBW
13.Cordner

14.Tasi
15.FPN
16.Aubusson
17.Taka

[Guest]

So whats the squad really?

1- Mini (not my choice but this will do)
2- RTS
3- BJ
4- SKD
5 -Moga

Leaving Topou and Oldfield as main contenders if not first choice players. (others may come into it depending on form and progress in lower grades.) Anyone I missed?? (must have already played first grade not a prospect)

6- Maloney
7 - Pearce

8 - JWH
9 - Friend
10 - Kennedy
11 - SBW
12 - Guerra
13 - FPN

14 - Selluini
15 - Aubs
16 - Tasi
17 - Cordner

Other forwards -

18 - Bosden
19 - Mose
20 - Arona
21 - Evans (based on Prospect)

22 - Cherrington (based on injury and form)
23 - English import (cant remember name ... prospect...cant really comment on him.


Anyone else to add to the list... this will be our squad...
Most have played first grade or a genuine chance to make their debut.

Be interesting to see if the likes of Alofa or Kheirallah get a look in. (if they are ready or needed at some point)

[Guest]

So whats the squad really?

1- Mini (not my choice but this will do)
2- RTS
3- BJ
4- SKD
5 -Moga

Leaving Topou and Oldfield as main contenders if not first choice players. (others may come into it depending on form and progress in lower grades.) Anyone I missed?? (must have already played first grade not a prospect)

6- Maloney
7 - Pearce

8 - JWH
9 - Friend
10 - Kennedy
11 - SBW
12 - Guerra
13 - FPN

14 - Selluini
15 - Aubs
16 - Tasi
17 - Cordner

Other forwards -

18 - Bosden
19 - Mose
20 - Arona
21 - Evans (based on Prospect)

22 - Cherrington (based on injury and form)
23 - English import (cant remember name ... prospect...cant really comment on him.


Anyone else to add to the list... this will be our squad...
Most have played first grade or a genuine chance to make their debut.

Be interesting to see if the likes of Alofa or Kheirallah get a look in. (if they are ready or needed at some point)

Morts?

[Guest]

Here is my latest version of what the 2013 Sydney Roosters side should look like at its best:

FB: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
RW: Anthony Minichiello
RC: Joseph Leilua
LC: Shaun Kenny-Dowall
LW: Tautau Moga
FE: James Maloney
HB: Mitchell Pearce (Captain)
FR: Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
HK: Jake Friend
FR: Martin Kennedy
SR: Sonny Bill Williams
SR: Aidan Guerra
LK: Boyd Cordner
14: Mitchell Aubusson
15: Lama Tasi
16: Frank-Paul Nuuausala
17: Kane Evans

Pretty close - Id have the same players just a different format:
1. RTS
2. Minichiello/Oldfield (injury/next year)
3. SBW
4. SKD
5. Moga
6. Maloney
7. Pearce
8. JWH
9. Friend
10. Kennedy
11. Guerra
12. Cordner
13. FPN

14. Aubusson
15. Tasi
16. Evans
17. Leilua

Imo, SBW and SKD on opposite sides on the field is a must - both are tall, athletic, x-factor tough to handle type players that play quite similarly so splitting them between left and right side of the field seems like it would strengthen the team on the whole. Also help to ease SBW back into the workrate of league by starting out in the centres. Then Id bring BJ onto the left edge for guerra and allow BJ and SBW to play together down the left and have the freedom to swap between centre and back row with Mini/RTS rotating on the left wing much like the dogs did with barba and turner last year which will also give us another unpredictability factor. Also maubs on for FPN after the initial exchanges to swap between right edge backrow and lock with cordner to re-ignite the SKD maubs pearce combo with mogas extra size on the wing as a means of helping overcome SKDs defensive deficiencies. this 17 gives be goose bumps

[Thirteen]

I am loving the terminology some of you are using here
What he hell does playing tight actually mean??? LOL

[Guest]

I am loving the terminology some of you are using here
What he hell does playing tight actually mean??? LOL

Ask Brad Fittler. I doubt he wasn't a little buzzed every time he played.

[Guest]

Pretty close - Id have the same players just a different format:
1. RTS
2. Minichiello/Oldfield (injury/next year)
3. SBW
4. SKD
5. Moga
6. Maloney
7. Pearce
8. JWH
9. Friend
10. Kennedy
11. Guerra
12. Cordner
13. FPN

14. Aubusson
15. Tasi
16. Evans
17. Leilua

Imo, SBW and SKD on opposite sides on the field is a must - both are tall, athletic, x-factor tough to handle type players that play quite similarly so splitting them between left and right side of the field seems like it would strengthen the team on the whole. Also help to ease SBW back into the workrate of league by starting out in the centres. Then Id bring BJ onto the left edge for guerra and allow BJ and SBW to play together down the left and have the freedom to swap between centre and back row with Mini/RTS rotating on the left wing much like the dogs did with barba and turner last year which will also give us another unpredictability factor. Also maubs on for FPN after the initial exchanges to swap between right edge backrow and lock with cordner to re-ignite the SKD maubs pearce combo with mogas extra size on the wing as a means of helping overcome SKDs defensive deficiencies. this 17 gives be goose bumps

I will be interested to see where Robinson starts SBW. I think centre would be his best position, but having your best (and highest paid) player out in the centres seems a bit of a waste. If we play an expansive game, it may work, but centre is one of those positions where you can struggle to get involved. Look at the difference it has made to Souths since Inglis was moved to fullback - he has been much more involved and had a much bigger impact on the games result. One of the most involved centres in the game is Hodges - but most of his runs are from dummy half. Like I said - I think centre would be his best position, but I think he would contribute much more to the team if he was in the back row.

Having BJ and Aubs on the bench is a bit of a waste too. I would go with BJ in the centres, SBW to the backrow and have FPN, Evans and Tasi fight is out for 2 bench spots.

[Guest]

Lets hope he sacks: SKD, BJ, FPN, Mini, Arona, Mose and Friend.

[Guest]

Lets hope he sacks: SKD, BJ, FPN, Mini, Arona, Mose and Friend.

SKD and Friend had great years in 2010 when he was assistant coach. They won't be going anywhere.

SKD, FPN and BJ are all potentially matchwinners. I would rather see how they go under a new coach rather than sack them and watch them excell elsewhere.