Sydney Roosters Season Preview

[Guest]

While watching the Aussies smash the Poms in the cricket (how are things Kingsgrove-Loiner?), is all well and good; we know that the footy from March until October is what keeps us going during the summer.

We get a treat as Rugby Leage and Roosters fans, with not only the inaugural Nines tournament satisfying our footy thirsts in mid February, but the World Club Challenge gives us an extra game to attend this season, not to mention the opportunity to be crowned world champions.

Then the season starts, as usual, against arch rivals South Sydney; where, despite recent history, Souths fan will claim they are the better team. Laughable.

The season that looms is a tough one. With the shortest turn around of all clubs (Grand Final on October 6 followed by the most players representing at the World Cup), The Roosters are facing a season that technically begins on the 22nd of February, and could continue 8 months down the track to the first weekend in October. That is a lot of footy.

Along the way we play Parramatta twice within the first 6 weeks, the Bulldogs twice by round 11, and 3 games without our Origin stars. If ever the NRL was trying to prevent us from winning the comp, it would be this year. (Sorry, couldn't help myself).

I, for one, am growing steadily excited for this season's kick off. And I'm sure many others will agree this season will be a lot more enjoyable with premiership #13 off our back. Speaking of which, going back to back is a distinct possibility. I haven't had any dreams yet.

My Predicitions:

Nine's: Pool Stage
WCC: Winners
Regular Season: 2nd
Beyond That: ???

Anyway, come on board, enjoy the ride, season 2014 is as good as ever to jump into this Red, White and Blue Army.

GO EASTS!

[Guest]

Good post Bro..
Go Easts!

[Guest]

Man management I think is going to be a key-Maloney, Pearce, Cordner and World Cup guys from NZ. Maybe see few players rested, given early marks. Bellamy used it sporadically and if we are lucky enough to be comfortable in top 4 it may be something Robbo will use. Thoughts?

[Guest]

Man management I think is going to be a key-Maloney, Pearce, Cordner and World Cup guys from NZ. Maybe see few players rested, given early marks. Bellamy used it sporadically and if we are lucky enough to be comfortable in top 4 it may be something Robbo will use. Thoughts?

Could do mate, the key is injury management and plenty of NRL experience for our depth. the posotives are the big games Liu, Napa, Morts played in 2013 and the World cup experience our players got. Robbo is fairly switched on and like Freddy said in his 9's interview "Trent is a serious dude".

[Guest]

Man management I think is going to be a key-Maloney, Pearce, Cordner and World Cup guys from NZ. Maybe see few players rested, given early marks. Bellamy used it sporadically and if we are lucky enough to be comfortable in top 4 it may be something Robbo will use. Thoughts?

I think you are right there mate, player rotation, especially in the forwards, will be important; particularly during the middle to latter stages of the season most teams start to burn out due to origin and the sheer length of the season.
This is where I think our forward depth (JWH, Moa, FPN, Casty, Evans, Napa, Liu, Cordner, Aubo, Guerra, SBW) will come in handy.
Most of those players have NRL experience, so it is useful to have 11 players interchangeable over 8 spots throughout the year.

[Darkone]

Could do mate, the key is injury management and plenty of NRL experience for our depth. the posotives are the big games Liu, Napa, Morts played in 2013 and the World cup experience our players got. Robbo is fairly switched on and like Freddy said in his 9's interview "Trent is a serious dude".

I agree, injury management & having an extended roster that doesn't diminish the teams impact on game day.

Robbo applied this strategy well last season with injuries & suspensions a plague. Luke O'Donnell, Napa are great examples of young & old stepping up, don't forget we were & still are the champions of penalties conceded.

This coming season we can take this a step further with depth in the forwards roster & more confidence from the halves...

[Guest]

Situation where Aubo/Guerra becomes worth his weight in gold with some outside back relief to, saw ell as our forward depth, same with Mortimer but to a lesser extent. I guess half his weight.

[sydroosters]

its getting closer, just saw the first add on tv a few hours ago

[Guest]

I think you are right there mate, player rotation, especially in the forwards, will be important; particularly during the middle to latter stages of the season most teams start to burn out due to origin and the sheer length of the season.
This is where I think our forward depth (JWH, Moa, FPN, Casty, Evans, Napa, Liu, Cordner, Aubo, Guerra, SBW) will come in handy.
Most of those players have NRL experience, so it is useful to have 11 players interchangeable over 8 spots throughout the year.

Hi
Agree entirely , make it 12 Jake Friend and even 13 with Morts

[Thirteen]

Kegs why second in regular season?
Who is better than us?

[Guest]

Kegs why second in regular season?
Who is better than us?

Personally, and I'm going to be shot down for this, I think Souths will finish minor premiers, and I stress minor because I don't think they will go on to win the GF.

The 2014 is shaping up a lot tougher than 2013; a combination of an extended season, no byes over the origin period and the fact that more teams will aim up against the premiers means that we will more than likely drop more games than last year.

While I see teams like Manly and Melbourne are on the slide due to age, Souths on the other hand will continue to perform well throughout the regular season, assuming Inglis and co stay fit. I then see teams like the Cowboys and the Panthers making real play for positions 3-6.

Keep in mind that this does not necessarily mean Souths are BETTER than us, they may just get luckier than us at some stage in the season. The cries will go up from every centrelink in town: 'This is SOUFFS year!' But they will inevitably choke at the business end of the season.

[Parkway_Drive]

While watching the Aussies smash the Poms in the cricket (how are things Kingsgrove-Loiner?), is all well and good; we know that the footy from March until October is what keeps us going during the summer.

We get a treat as Rugby Leage and Roosters fans, with not only the inaugural Nines tournament satisfying our footy thirsts in mid February, but the World Club Challenge gives us an extra game to attend this season, not to mention the opportunity to be crowned world champions.

Then the season starts, as usual, against arch rivals South Sydney; where, despite recent history, Souths fan will claim they are the better team. Laughable.

The season that looms is a tough one. With the shortest turn around of all clubs (Grand Final on October 6 followed by the most players representing at the World Cup), The Roosters are facing a season that technically begins on the 22nd of February, and could continue 8 months down the track to the first weekend in October. That is a lot of footy.

Along the way we play Parramatta twice within the first 6 weeks, the Bulldogs twice by round 11, and 3 games without our Origin stars. If ever the NRL was trying to prevent us from winning the comp, it would be this year. (Sorry, couldn't help myself).

I, for one, am growing steadily excited for this season's kick off. And I'm sure many others will agree this season will be a lot more enjoyable with premiership #13 off our back. Speaking of which, going back to back is a distinct possibility. I haven't had any dreams yet.

My Predicitions:

Nine's: Pool Stage
WCC: Winners
Regular Season: 2nd
Beyond That: ???

Anyway, come on board, enjoy the ride, season 2014 is as good as ever to jump into this Red, White and Blue Army.

GO EASTS!

Good post Kegs, the way I see it, our Origin boys will be able to take advantage of the byes, thus helping prevent burnout. The other learned chookpenners have mentioned, we have good depth and 'Robbo' is one of the best in the business.

[SConcierge]

if we stay healthy we are going BACK2BACK

[Guest]

I always think how much better the dragons were in their 2nd year under wayne bennett. I'm picking the boys are primed for a good year given its sonny's last.

[Ray Stehr]

Personally, and I'm going to be shot down for this, I think Souths will finish minor premiers, and I stress minor because I don't think they will go on to win the GF.

The 2014 is shaping up a lot tougher than 2013; a combination of an extended season, no byes over the origin period and the fact that more teams will aim up against the premiers means that we will more than likely drop more games than last year.

While I see teams like Manly and Melbourne are on the slide due to age, Souths on the other hand will continue to perform well throughout the regular season, assuming Inglis and co stay fit. I then see teams like the Cowboys and the Panthers making real play for positions 3-6.

Keep in mind that this does not necessarily mean Souths are BETTER than us, they may just get luckier than us at some stage in the season. The cries will go up from every centrelink in town: 'This is SOUFFS year!' But they will inevitably choke at the business end of the season.

With the side souffs have got I can't see them finishing above us, they'll be lucky to finish 5th.