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Will the sacrifices made be enough ??????????
Payback: Roosters' quest for absolution
JOSH RAKIC
July 18, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...717-10f33.html
A SECRET meeting and a mid-year sabbatical has the Roosters primed for a dogfight this afternoon as the Bondi club prepares to celebrate Braith Anasta's 200th NRL game by relegating his former Bulldogs teammates to finals oblivion.
Demoralised by the Canterbury side 60-14 in round three, the Roosters are determined to take the ultimate revenge on the Bulldogs, not just by handing the in-form side a defeat but by also effectively ending their finals prospects.
On the cusp of a top-four position less than a year after claiming the wooden spoon, Roosters players and staff gathered in the week in an effort to up the ante for the remaining eight rounds of the season.
''All the coaches were there and it was about picking it up this time of the year, going that bit further and how critical the next few rounds are,'' enforcer Nate Myles said.
''They said everyone should be congratulated for the effort they've put in so far, but maybe it's time to step it up and put in that little bit more.
''And what better time. We all know what the Bulldogs did to us at the start of the year, they took us to school. So I think we owe Braith and ourselves a good performance. Braith deserves it, so hopefully the boys can fire up.''
Captain Anasta will turn out in the No.13 jumper this afternoon for the third time this season, a symbol of his sacrifice for the team, and said after a scheduled mid-season rest the Roosters would have no excuses in front of a home crowd.
''[Coach] Brian [Smith] gave us a couple of days off last week to freshen up for the back end of the year so there are no excuses - we have no reason why we shouldn't be performing,'' Anasta said.
''We had a meeting and basically reassessed where we were at. At the start of the year we thought we had potential and if we got everything right on and off the field that we'd have a good season. And where we are now, with eight rounds left, we are in a good position to give it a good shake.
''We talked about making sacrifices - which is nothing new, because a lot of our guys made sacrifices in the pre-season anyway.
''People might not think it's a big deal by not drinking or not going out because we're professional athletes, but whether you believe that or not, our blokes have done that. Most young blokes go out every weekend and live life, hit the drink and none of our players have been doing that.''
And the 28-year-old said there were more sacrifices to come. ''It's about continuing those sacrifices and then stepping it up a bit,'' he said. ''We agreed the reason we are in the position we're in is because we made sacrifices, whether it be the boys with their diets or drinking and going out.
''We just want to ensure everyone was still on track and point out that everyone can make a sacrifice for the good of the team - whether it's got to do with diet, time, extras or lifestyle.
''It was to make sure everyone knows the position we're in and the opportunity we have.
''We want to get the best out of each other.''
JOSH RAKIC
July 18, 2010
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l...717-10f33.html
A SECRET meeting and a mid-year sabbatical has the Roosters primed for a dogfight this afternoon as the Bondi club prepares to celebrate Braith Anasta's 200th NRL game by relegating his former Bulldogs teammates to finals oblivion.
Demoralised by the Canterbury side 60-14 in round three, the Roosters are determined to take the ultimate revenge on the Bulldogs, not just by handing the in-form side a defeat but by also effectively ending their finals prospects.
On the cusp of a top-four position less than a year after claiming the wooden spoon, Roosters players and staff gathered in the week in an effort to up the ante for the remaining eight rounds of the season.
''All the coaches were there and it was about picking it up this time of the year, going that bit further and how critical the next few rounds are,'' enforcer Nate Myles said.
''They said everyone should be congratulated for the effort they've put in so far, but maybe it's time to step it up and put in that little bit more.
''And what better time. We all know what the Bulldogs did to us at the start of the year, they took us to school. So I think we owe Braith and ourselves a good performance. Braith deserves it, so hopefully the boys can fire up.''
Captain Anasta will turn out in the No.13 jumper this afternoon for the third time this season, a symbol of his sacrifice for the team, and said after a scheduled mid-season rest the Roosters would have no excuses in front of a home crowd.
''[Coach] Brian [Smith] gave us a couple of days off last week to freshen up for the back end of the year so there are no excuses - we have no reason why we shouldn't be performing,'' Anasta said.
''We had a meeting and basically reassessed where we were at. At the start of the year we thought we had potential and if we got everything right on and off the field that we'd have a good season. And where we are now, with eight rounds left, we are in a good position to give it a good shake.
''We talked about making sacrifices - which is nothing new, because a lot of our guys made sacrifices in the pre-season anyway.
''People might not think it's a big deal by not drinking or not going out because we're professional athletes, but whether you believe that or not, our blokes have done that. Most young blokes go out every weekend and live life, hit the drink and none of our players have been doing that.''
And the 28-year-old said there were more sacrifices to come. ''It's about continuing those sacrifices and then stepping it up a bit,'' he said. ''We agreed the reason we are in the position we're in is because we made sacrifices, whether it be the boys with their diets or drinking and going out.
''We just want to ensure everyone was still on track and point out that everyone can make a sacrifice for the good of the team - whether it's got to do with diet, time, extras or lifestyle.
''It was to make sure everyone knows the position we're in and the opportunity we have.
''We want to get the best out of each other.''
. I'm rather chuffed about where we are on the table, however I'm not yet convinced we really are a top four side. I hate the dogs with a passion, especially Ennis, bloody-hell I hope we end their season today in grand style.
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