2013 better than 2002 former players say

[Guest]

THEY won an NRL title and revolutionised the art of defence — but the 2002 Sydney Roosters say they’re no match for the current mob.

Exactly 11 years after they won a premiership with that famed rushing defence, Bondi Junction greats Luke Ricketson and Bryan Fletcher both insist the 2013 minor premiers are not only a superior side to theirs, but boast a better defence.

The theory is supported by Fox Sports Statistics, revealing the 2013 side not only concede fewer tries and points per game than the last premiership side, but have kept as many teams to zero this year, six, as the previous 11 seasons combined. “Does this team defend better than we did? Yeah, they do — defend a lot better,’’ Fletcher says.

“I think right across the park, when you size up the individuals, they’re a better side than we were too. I’m not sure their attack is as good as some other teams in the NRL but you saw against Manly how their defence got them through. And as the old cliche says, it’s defence that wins you premierships.

“Back in 2002, our strength was line speed and numbers in tackles. Wrestling wasn’t in at that stage but we had a call — ‘Red’ — which was basically three men into a tackle.

“The idea was that if you were standing around, jump in and slow the play the ball down.

“Initially, clubs were saying we were offside or that we must’ve been cheating. But because we were slowing the ruck down it was enabling us to get onside. Defence won us a premiership and I think it will win these boys a competition too.”

Ricketson added: “a fair rap when you consider, 11 years ago, no less than Brad Fittler led a team of internationals including himself, Fletcher, Brett Mullins, Adrian Morley, Craig Wing, Justin Hodges and current skipper Anthony Minichiello.

“The game has changed so much but these current guys are fitter, more mobile, last longer,’’ Ricketson says.

"On paper, this current Roosters side is a better side than we were.”

[roosterproud]

and now mini is the only remaining player from the 2002 gf still playing

[Guest]

THEY won an NRL title and revolutionised the art of defence — but the 2002 Sydney Roosters say they’re no match for the current mob.

Exactly 11 years after they won a premiership with that famed rushing defence, Bondi Junction greats Luke Ricketson and Bryan Fletcher both insist the 2013 minor premiers are not only a superior side to theirs, but boast a better defence.

The theory is supported by Fox Sports Statistics, revealing the 2013 side not only concede fewer tries and points per game than the last premiership side, but have kept as many teams to zero this year, six, as the previous 11 seasons combined. “Does this team defend better than we did? Yeah, they do — defend a lot better,’’ Fletcher says.

“I think right across the park, when you size up the individuals, they’re a better side than we were too. I’m not sure their attack is as good as some other teams in the NRL but you saw against Manly how their defence got them through. And as the old cliche says, it’s defence that wins you premierships.

“Back in 2002, our strength was line speed and numbers in tackles. Wrestling wasn’t in at that stage but we had a call — ‘Red’ — which was basically three men into a tackle.

“The idea was that if you were standing around, jump in and slow the play the ball down.

“Initially, clubs were saying we were offside or that we must’ve been cheating. But because we were slowing the ruck down it was enabling us to get onside. Defence won us a premiership and I think it will win these boys a competition too.”

Ricketson added: “a fair rap when you consider, 11 years ago, no less than Brad Fittler led a team of internationals including himself, Fletcher, Brett Mullins, Adrian Morley, Craig Wing, Justin Hodges and current skipper Anthony Minichiello.

“The game has changed so much but these current guys are fitter, more mobile, last longer,’’ Ricketson says.

"On paper, this current Roosters side is a better side than we were.”

Another interesting matchup.

Phillips v Minichiello
Minichiello v Tuivasa-Sheck
Hodges v Kenny-Dowall
Hegarty v Jennings
Mullins v Tupou
Fittler v Maloney
Wing v Pearce
Morley v Hargreaves
Bonetti v Friend
Lomu v Nuuausala
Fletcher v SBW
Fitzgibbon v Cordner
Ricketson v Aubusson

Flannery v Mortimer
Crocker v O'Donnell
Cusack v Guerra/Kennedy/Liu/Napa
Cayless v Moa

It is a tight one. Our current forward pack has far more impact, but the 2002 backline has a bit more experience. Remember that Sheck and Tupou are still essentially first-grade babies - even back in 02, the two backline 'rookies' Minichiello and Hodges had still been around for at least 3 years of first grade.

[IRoosterManI]

Sorry but I can't compare the 2 unless we win the comp this year. It's unfair to compare a team that might win the comp to a team that did... Ask me in 2 weeks

[milanja]

Sorry but I can't compare the 2 unless we win the comp this year. It's unfair to compare a team that might win the comp to a team that did... Ask me in 2 weeks

i agree,

when player by player is matched up, i think jennings is the only current player to make that backline over hegarty.

[Headless Chook]

i agree,

when player by player is matched up, i think jennings is the only current player to make that backline over hegarty.

Pearce would have made it in front of Wing in my opinion.

[milanja]

Pearce would have made it in front of Wing in my opinion.

probably right, that way wing could take morts/friends spot.

[SConcierge]

I am going for the 02 team, I thought it was more polished and cut throat

[Guest]

2004 was statistically our best year... undone by statistically our worst half of football of the year in the game that counted the most.

[ism22]

Another interesting matchup.

Phillips v Minichiello
Minichiello v Tuivasa-Sheck
Hodges v Kenny-Dowall
Hegarty v Jennings
Mullins v Tupou
Fittler v Maloney
Wing v Pearce
Morley v Hargreaves
Bonetti v Friend
Lomu v Nuuausala
Fletcher v SBW
Fitzgibbon v Cordner
Ricketson v Aubusson

Flannery v Mortimer
Crocker v O'Donnell
Cusack v Guerra/Kennedy/Liu/Napa
Cayless v Moa

It is a tight one. Our current forward pack has far more impact, but the 2002 backline has a bit more experience. Remember that Sheck and Tupou are still essentially first-grade babies - even back in 02, the two backline 'rookies' Minichiello and Hodges had still been around for at least 3 years of first grade.

I think it's a generational thing. The game is more professional now... players have learned better tactics and have more science behind micro aspects of the game from nutrition to tactics...etc. No doubt we'd beat the 2002 team with our current team but they were the best of THEIR day! No other team was better given the 2002 corcumstances.

Other sports are the same:
- Agassi v Djokovic
- Lewis v Bolt
- Beetson v meh... JWH?

You get the picture. Today's athletes are all fitter, stronger, smarter and have science/technology behind them. JWH running into Artie would be a train wreck... players hit THAT much harder these days. That does not rob people of their amazing achievements against the competition of the day.

2002 Were the best in 2002 and their premiership has already been written into the history books.

2013 is 'better' on paper but has achieved NOTHING yet. Call me in 10 years time and I'll compare which should go down as the greater team.

[Parkway_Drive]

I think it's a generational thing. The game is more professional now... players have learned better tactics and have more science behind micro aspects of the game from nutrition to tactics...etc. No doubt we'd beat the 2002 team with our current team but they were the best of THEIR day! No other team was better given the 2002 corcumstances.

Other sports are the same:
- Agassi v Djokovic
- Lewis v Bolt
- Beetson v meh... JWH?

You get the picture. Today's athletes are all fitter, stronger, smarter and have science/technology behind them. JWH running into Artie would be a train wreck... players hit THAT much harder these days. That does not rob people of their amazing achievements against the competition of the day.

2002 Were the best in 2002 and their premiership has already been written into the history books.

2013 is 'better' on paper but has achieved NOTHING yet. Call me in 10 years time and I'll compare which should go down as the greater team.

Good post.... but if the teams from the 2002 or the 74/75 teams for that matter were given all the fulltime professionalism, support that the current players get, modern coaching, dietary, training regimes, etc...I have no doubt they would be up there competing with the current team.

A champion or a champion team would be a champion or champion team in any era...they have a certain something that makes them stand out from the ordinary.

The nucleus of the 2002 team played in GFs in 2002,2003 and 2004 and were a tackle or two away from winning two or 3 premierships in a row (considering the Sattler tackle and the 2004 GF second half debacle). Our current team has not won anything just yet.

It is interesting to hear what 'Ricko' and 'Fletch' have to say but I personally think they are not giving themselves enough credit for what their team actually achieved.