Robbo

[eddie]

Since we have lost quite a chunk of that star studded roster we will now finally get to see robbo's influence on the team. If he is really a Wayne bennet calibre coach.

When has Bennett had success without a "star studded" roster?

[Arties Pie]

When has Bennett had success without a "star studded" roster?

He hasn't he may be a good man manager but if you don't have the pigs or the depth it's a long year regardless who you are.

[JAF]

Absolutely agree - if your forwards are dominating, the younger back line, even a younger, inexperienced one has a solid opportunity to put points on. Hastings is also a game changer - more than what Maloney offered in general play.

I also believe that Hastings is a better defender than Maloney.
But time will tell I suppose!

[Insider]

Hastings will have Maloney covered well enough,will b hard to replace that dead eye goal kicking of Maloney though.We may drop from 80+% to 70.

[Thirteen]

When has Bennett had success without a "star studded" roster?

In 2015. None of us expected Brisbane to come within 2 minutes of winning the comp last year. Many thought Brisbane would not make the 8.

[Tommy Smith]

Boyd, Hodgo, Milford, Hunt, Thaiday, Parker, Glenn, Gillett, Blair, McGuire McCullogh, Oates, Kahu...

People thought that team wouldn't make the top 8?

[Frozen Chook]

I don't think anyone was eyeing our star studded talent when we bottomed out in 2009 and the following year saw a significant turn around with assistant coach Trent Robinson at the club. Leaves and sees two good years at the Catalan Dragons before taking on the 3th placed 2012 Roosters, the path from there has been pretty good. The pressure with this success of the young players coming to the fore has meant we will have to shed the top end of our players, who are also looking after the back end of their playing careers.

[Guest]

I think Robbo will be just fine.

I like his new Plane.

[Frozen Chook]

When has Bennett had success without a "star studded" roster?

Yep Eddie that's a pretty much on the money - it was a much more difficult gig at Newcastle than Brisbane.

[2026]

8. Napa
9. Friend
10. JWH
11. Cordner
12. Taukiaho
13. Guerra

BENCH - Liu/Moa, Evans, Aubo/Nikorima

We'll be right.

Best pack in the comp!

[Kentucky_Fried_Rooster]

I back Robbo.
We have lost a few great players and the bookies still have us as 2nd favorites for 2016.
The bookies aren't stupid and with the Bronco's draw they deserve to be favorites.
If we don't win only the Bronco's, Cowboys Eagles and Warrior can.

[Johnny Tobin]

interesting thought came to mind in all the time of trent being coach - he is yet to drop a player for a game however management as too robbo drop a player from their roster!

Nobody has the depth to drop players anymore.

That only happens to Sandow.

[Johnny Tobin]

When has Bennett had success without a "star studded" roster?

In fairness, I wouldn't call his Saints team star studded.

But they didn't need stars.

They had the officials behind them.

[BUDDY]

In fairness, I wouldn't call his Saints team star studded.

But they didn't need stars.

They had the officials behind them.

All 18 players in the GF were representative players. Archer was their X-Factor that came cheap in their cap.

[ism22]

After 3 minor premierships, a premiership and a WCC, are there really any doubts about his ability or influence?

It's a test I suppose... can he survive a transition period where we are offloading players and taking risks?

Not a Storm fan (and I think cheating put them in their current posotion - otherwise Slater, Smith and Cronk would play elsewhere and not have so much loyalty). However, they have been alright at transitioning! They've kept those core 3 players, and at times had an otherwise really shyt3 roster. They haven't had a season where they have not been competitive for yeeeears.

That's what I want in Robbo... somebody who ALWAYS has a competitive team and gives us an aura, because teams know we're never easy beats. Right now he seems calm (despite significant losses) and I like that confidence. Realistically, suspensions/injuries could leave him with I dunno:
1. Mitchell/Slime Ankle
2. Toops
3. Copley
4. Elliot
5. Burgess
6. Hastings
7. Nikorima
8. Evans
9. Friend
10. Napa
11. Cordner
12. Guerra
13. SST

14. Moa
15. Liu
16. Maubs
17. ??? (Afu?)

Can he win with a team like that? I think maybe... IMO he's calm enough and smart enough to get us over the line while we are freeing up the cap. Whereas, Brian Smith (and Ricky Stuart) let things get out of control, and made us look like a joke when things got tough.