My assessment

[HEGtheROOSTER]

For what it's worth, here's my assessment on our players thus far:

Latrell Mitchell: Could be anything. Prodigious talent with the ball, but still 2 - 3 seasons away defensively. Kudos to coaching staff for allowing him the freedom to play his own game in attack (along with the inevitable teenage errors that brings) and not stifling him. I love watching him not only for his remarkable ability, but the obvious passion he plays with that has been lacking in so many others on so many occasions this season. Goes without saying we need to lock him up long term.

Joseph Manu: Speaking of passion, that stunning chase to rundown Eels speedster French showed bucket loads. He also has a touch of the RTS footwork in his game. I like him.

Toops: Has bounced back to form somewhat recently, but in the last few years has been rag-dolled and driven back way too many times for my liking. His arial assaults have been blunted by the current interpretations allowing the obstruction of the kick chasers. Seems like a nice guy but I wouldn't be sad if he was moved on....

Ferguson: I don't believe he is blessed with an abundance of football nous. Has significant problems in the centres defensively with his decision making which are clearly exploited by opposing teams. With the ball he's not been the physical, unstoppable line breaking presence he has been in the past either. Clearly a good player, but not worth marquee money in his present state.

Copley: Injury has disrupted his season. Has looked good in one game, but made some dreadful errors in attack and defence at times. Not sure what to make of him...

SKD: Love him. Yeah, I know he's going to have the occasional brain explosion, but he has been one of our most consistently good players in the past few years, and he's a loyal, passionate Rooster. That's good enough for me.

Pearce: We've kept him all this time through the dramas etc, so we need to stick with him now for the next few years which I believe will be his best. Yes, he's not JT or Cronk, but the experience he's built up to this point should allow him to blossom for the next few seasons.

Hastings: Clearly issues here that we're not fully aware of, but for me his lack of pace is a big issue. When he breaks the line he has to instantly backpedal and look for support, which negates to value of the line break. I wanted it to work because I loved Horrie, but I just don't think he's got it.

Matterson: I like him. Good pedigree, good sized frame, skills for a bigger man are good. Hopefully he's going to turn out more like Uncle Terry (as opposed to say Ian Barkley) Not sure of his best position but I believe he's a keeper....

Aubo: Club legend. Happy for him to play out his career here. Defensively good in the centres as a stop gap, but bench utility is the spot for him IMO.

JWH: 2017 skipper?

Jake Friend: Ok, makes 50+ tackles a game, but offers little else at the moment except for forward passes, errors, and poor decisions. I believe many of these problems are caused by too much game time. Connor Watson needs to come on and give Jake a rest, running against tired forwards. Coaching staff are not doing him or our team any favours here, and also need to stop leaving him AND WATSON on together. Give him a rest. I would love him not to be captain next year as well. Refs don't like him, his pressers are underwhelming. He seems to be struggling with it. Love him just to play footy and get back to the form of a few years ago...

Napa: That amazing Souths game early in the year appears to have taken it out of him somewhat. Hasn't played as well since, but that's what he's capable of. Love to see that every week though....

Kane Evans: Hasn't come on as well as expected. Can shred with his runs and offloads but has more rocks games than diamond ones at the moment. Worth persevering with for another season or so at least to see if he develops.

Boyd: We've missed him this year. Love to see an injury free 2017 for him. He and JWH are the rocks of our pack. Possible 2017 leader?

Guerra: Not the best season for the spinning, backwards running man. If we could get a decent replacement I wouldn't be too upset to lose him...

Liu and Taulks: Both keepers. I'm a fan.

Sam Moa: Has struggled a bit for impact this year. Could be past his best? Seems like a great man to have around the club, so if he's not on too much coin I'd be happy for him to stay for a bit of leadership...

Connor Watson: I like him. Solid, fast, reliable, plays with passion. Needs more game time for Jake.

Robbo: Good work with Latrell. Sub-standard work with Jake. Need less of just bombing the fullback when we get down the attacking end please.

[Red_Rooster]

Agree with most of your assessments
I think Copley needs to spend way more time in reserve grade, he is no where near up to standard in attack or defence for a centre - and we've got enough wingers in the club.

Ferguson offers a lot in attack but must be carrying an injury, has not been able to shake defenders like he did last year - but he has to play on the wing, at least defensively, he panics and makes he wrong decisions 9/10 and it's leaking a lot of points for us.

Friend is playing a Farah-esque role which is horrible - it shows a distinct lack of faith in our play makers and he completely over plays his hand more often than not when he decides to go rogue. If it's not in the play book he needs to cut it out.

Pearce needs to step up - he owes the Roosters everything, he has to play like a man possessed - I think he gets it and looks like he's trying.

Like most on the forum - I think Hastings appears to have attitude and physical problems. When the pressure was off, he played a great role as a sub. Watson offers more value in that role now. Hastings is in no mans land and I feel like he should definitely be looking for other opportunities, he and Pearce play too similar roles and we can't afford to have both in the team if we're going to compete.

I think the others just need to knuckle down and focus on their games, they know how to win - they need to share these experiences with Latrell and keep supporting him.

[milanja]

Agree with most of your assessments
I think Copley needs to spend way more time in reserve grade, he is no where near up to standard in attack or defence for a centre - and we've got enough wingers in the club.

Ferguson offers a lot in attack but must be carrying an injury, has not been able to shake defenders like he did last year - but he has to play on the wing, at least defensively, he panics and makes he wrong decisions 9/10 and it's leaking a lot of points for us.

Friend is playing a Farah-esque role which is horrible - it shows a distinct lack of faith in our play makers and he completely over plays his hand more often than not when he decides to go rogue. If it's not in the play book he needs to cut it out.

Pearce needs to step up - he owes the Roosters everything, he has to play like a man possessed - I think he gets it and looks like he's trying.

Like most on the forum - I think Hastings appears to have attitude and physical problems. When the pressure was off, he played a great role as a sub. Watson offers more value in that role now. Hastings is in no mans land and I feel like he should definitely be looking for other opportunities, he and Pearce play too similar roles and we can't afford to have both in the team if we're going to compete.

I think the others just need to knuckle down and focus on their games, they know how to win - they need to share these experiences with Latrell and keep supporting him.

Copley has played 3yrs of first grade, if he is still offering nothing, then get rid of him, reserve grade will not improve him.

[Easts75]

They reward Manu's passion by relegating him on Monday. Copley should be gone, Manu to centre

[The Axe]

Heg. Well constructed and accurate assessment. Could not find anything to disagree with.

[The Axe]

They reward Manu's passion by relegating him on Monday. Copley should be gone, Manu to centre

Awful if true. Notice Bredon Elliott scored again today. I know it's only Newcastle but I'd have Manu/Elliott over Toupou every day of the week

[nayfo]

Word is that Cordner will take over the captaincy before this season is finished.

[John Corey]

For what it's worth, here's my assessment on our players thus far:

Latrell Mitchell: Could be anything. Prodigious talent with the ball, but still 2 - 3 seasons away defensively. Kudos to coaching staff for allowing him the freedom to play his own game in attack (along with the inevitable teenage errors that brings) and not stifling him. I love watching him not only for his remarkable ability, but the obvious passion he plays with that has been lacking in so many others on so many occasions this season. Goes without saying we need to lock him up long term.

Joseph Manu: Speaking of passion, that stunning chase to rundown Eels speedster French showed bucket loads. He also has a touch of the RTS footwork in his game. I like him.

Toops: Has bounced back to form somewhat recently, but in the last few years has been rag-dolled and driven back way too many times for my liking. His arial assaults have been blunted by the current interpretations allowing the obstruction of the kick chasers. Seems like a nice guy but I wouldn't be sad if he was moved on....

Ferguson: I don't believe he is blessed with an abundance of football nous. Has significant problems in the centres defensively with his decision making which are clearly exploited by opposing teams. With the ball he's not been the physical, unstoppable line breaking presence he has been in the past either. Clearly a good player, but not worth marquee money in his present state.

Copley: Injury has disrupted his season. Has looked good in one game, but made some dreadful errors in attack and defence at times. Not sure what to make of him...

SKD: Love him. Yeah, I know he's going to have the occasional brain explosion, but he has been one of our most consistently good players in the past few years, and he's a loyal, passionate Rooster. That's good enough for me.

Pearce: We've kept him all this time through the dramas etc, so we need to stick with him now for the next few years which I believe will be his best. Yes, he's not JT or Cronk, but the experience he's built up to this point should allow him to blossom for the next few seasons.

Hastings: Clearly issues here that we're not fully aware of, but for me his lack of pace is a big issue. When he breaks the line he has to instantly backpedal and look for support, which negates to value of the line break. I wanted it to work because I loved Horrie, but I just don't think he's got it.

Matterson: I like him. Good pedigree, good sized frame, skills for a bigger man are good. Hopefully he's going to turn out more like Uncle Terry (as opposed to say Ian Barkley) Not sure of his best position but I believe he's a keeper....

Aubo: Club legend. Happy for him to play out his career here. Defensively good in the centres as a stop gap, but bench utility is the spot for him IMO.

JWH: 2017 skipper?

Jake Friend: Ok, makes 50+ tackles a game, but offers little else at the moment except for forward passes, errors, and poor decisions. I believe many of these problems are caused by too much game time. Connor Watson needs to come on and give Jake a rest, running against tired forwards. Coaching staff are not doing him or our team any favours here, and also need to stop leaving him AND WATSON on together. Give him a rest. I would love him not to be captain next year as well. Refs don't like him, his pressers are underwhelming. He seems to be struggling with it. Love him just to play footy and get back to the form of a few years ago...

Napa: That amazing Souths game early in the year appears to have taken it out of him somewhat. Hasn't played as well since, but that's what he's capable of. Love to see that every week though....

Kane Evans: Hasn't come on as well as expected. Can shred with his runs and offloads but has more rocks games than diamond ones at the moment. Worth persevering with for another season or so at least to see if he develops.

Boyd: We've missed him this year. Love to see an injury free 2017 for him. He and JWH are the rocks of our pack. Possible 2017 leader?

Guerra: Not the best season for the spinning, backwards running man. If we could get a decent replacement I wouldn't be too upset to lose him...

Liu and Taulks: Both keepers. I'm a fan.

Sam Moa: Has struggled a bit for impact this year. Could be past his best? Seems like a great man to have around the club, so if he's not on too much coin I'd be happy for him to stay for a bit of leadership...

Connor Watson: I like him. Solid, fast, reliable, plays with passion. Needs more game time for Jake.

Robbo: Good work with Latrell. Sub-standard work with Jake. Need less of just bombing the fullback when we get down the attacking end please.

Can't argue with that mate. Well put.