Captains Influence

[gragra]

your comment 'As suppoters not privy of the day to day dealings we're really not in much of a position to comment.". On that basis we shouldn't comment on anything. All we as supporters can do is comment as we see it from the outside. And after watching the roosters for 51 years my observations are probably as good as any supporters. The roosters drifted in and out of games continually throughout the year. There was perhaps only 1 effort of 80 minutes and that was against Parramatta. A good captain should really be able to help keep the team focused. Fittler had that ability, Mini had it, and neither had their hand on the ball all the time. Beetson also, again a player who didn't handle the ball all the time. If a player who handles the ball a lot and is a good communicator all the better. That's why Cameron Smith is one of the best . But the captain has to be respected by his peers be a dominant character and a good communicator. I just don't see our current captains as fitting the bill based on this seasons drifting game efforts and mistakes.

[4 the all in brawl]

Mate we've all got to move on from these past media beat ups that opposition fans like to make memes of.

It was 2 seasons and more ago.

Hell Greg bird came back to captain the tits after dropping a schooner on his missus noggin.

I'm not necessarily pushing for Pearce to become captain, but an on field leader is someone who touches the ball alot, (spine) able to have vision of the whole field (not a winger or bench) and is able to give instructions and have them followed with faith/respect.

If there are current players who still have dry humped dog on their mind, they need to front up to Robbo/Pearce about it, get on with it as professionals or leave the club.

Pearce may be far from the best captain material across the NRL, but as for the above reasons I've given he is closer to it than anyone else at the club.

I don't see friend or Cordner calling any plays or delivering a rocket when needed.

Keary is next closest but new to the Roosters.

Gavin Cooper is making a pretty good fist of it for the Cowboys as a second rower. It doesn't always have to be the half or number 9 or a player in a so called spine position.

Pearce has blown it for me and like Jake didn't seem to enjoy the responsibility that came with it in 2015 even though as a side we did well until the end of the season.

Keary is a possibility in the future but I would like to see Cords be the sole captain next year. He is a natural leader and though not a big talker as yet but I think he will become one if he is saddled with the sole responsibility of leading the team.

[4 the all in brawl]

Lack of vision. Can someone explain to me (cause I played basketball not footy at school) what Cooper cronk does apart from perhaps better kick accuracy than Pearce in better vision?

Is it passing to the side of the field that has more players than the opposition?

Is it identifying an injured player in the opposition to send traffic at?

Kicking into space -yes

Repeat sets - yes

This "directing them around the park" statement is lost on me as there's only one way to bluddy go - up the other end!

Is it deciding to pass out the back or go short/dummy break the line?

I hate following a sport so closely I never cut my teeth on.

You only had to see what Cooper Cronk did in the lead up to Billy Slater's second try against the Broncos to see what he has that Pearce is unable to replicate on a consistent basis.

Coolness under pressure and the ability to take the right option most of the time and a running game better than Pearces. I mean when he runs he still doesnt engage the defender. He disguises when he goes for the run better than Pearce who simply tucks the ball under the arm and rocks his body and head from left to right or is it right to left and steps the other way before going on a run lol.

Probably the major difference between Pearce and Cronk is that Cronk while having the ability to organise can play what is in front on him when the opportunity presents itself. Pearce has struggled with this aspect apart from that streak of good form in late 2014. However, Cronk does have a pretty handy number 9 in Cameron Smith lol.

But that is always how great players become great, they play in great teams. For example, all the immortals have played in legendary teams that won premierships usually 2 or more apart from Wally who dominated Origin for a decade. Cronk will not and should not be an immortal but will be remembered as a great player though.

Possibly the other difference between the 2 and this is just an untrained observation but I get the feeling Cronk really, really hates to lose whereas Pearce appears to resign himself to failure in big games, so it could be a mental thing.

[Rooster_6]

your comment 'As suppoters not privy of the day to day dealings we're really not in much of a position to comment.". On that basis we shouldn't comment on anything. All we as supporters can do is comment as we see it from the outside. And after watching the roosters for 51 years my observations are probably as good as any supporters. The roosters drifted in and out of games continually throughout the year. There was perhaps only 1 effort of 80 minutes and that was against Parramatta. A good captain should really be able to help keep the team focused. Fittler had that ability, Mini had it, and neither had their hand on the ball all the time. Beetson also, again a player who didn't handle the ball all the time. If a player who handles the ball a lot and is a good communicator all the better. That's why Cameron Smith is one of the best . But the captain has to be respected by his peers be a dominant character and a good communicator. I just don't see our current captains as fitting the bill based on this seasons drifting game efforts and mistakes.

No I'm not saying you shouldn't comment on anything, read my post again that's just pure exaggeration on your part.

I'm saying we as fans see so little of what the captaincy role actually requires that we're really not in a position to make a fair conclusion about someone's ability to do the job. Sure we can comment on what we see but it has to be prefaced with the knowledge that we're only privy to a small part of the picture.

[stephenj]

i feel a bit of assertive talk training for cords 9in the off season a few talks with freddy cords will be way up there next season remove friend from leadership group replace him with pearce, cords has the players respect maybe even a few refs think highly of the nsw captain? some ref whispering lessons wouldnt go astray. next seaon forget the holier than though we dont lie down, other teams constantly cheat like hell, we had one try dissallowed cause a cow took a dive that try could have put us right on top at that time, we dont throw as many fwd passes or stand offside as much but we must develop tactics to get some more penalties?

[Louis N]

Captaincy is SO important. Freddie was the perfect example. Gibson's choice of Beetson was a master stroke. Even his choice of Jimmy Matthews in 67/68. And although Mini was our captain in 2013 there is little doubt that the guy everyone looked up to and had the major influence on the side was SBW.. Reminded me of Hugh McGahan.
It's going to be difficult for Robbo as he has made his choices. And we all saw how Friend reacted when the rumour of Farah arriving went around. So there is a tight group of senior players. I fancy giving Cordner more time as he is inspirational and has shown leadership qualities. He's not afraid to give someone a bit of hard advice if he thinks they've made a stupid play. The 2016 Anzac Day game he gave it to Latrell after he showed scant regard for possession with a hail mary play. I say give him time.
I think Pearce has had multiple chances and we all know that insanity amounts to doing the same thing over again and expecting a different result. I do like Keary as he has produced the goods all year. He also showed loyalty to his team in the 'Crowe' incident. And as such might have the nous to go against coaches instructions on the field if he thought fit. We do need someone who can get the side back on the rails when we slip into that error prone, lack of concentration stuff. And it clearly isn't happening - but must. I think Boyd will step up to it though and for SOO possibly Keary back up?

[gragra]

Agree Louis N, just I think that Keary's newness to club would probably stops him being the players choice as a leader. Still wonder if JWH as a captain would become more responsible, give less penalties and become the player he is capable of...as you correctly say it worked with Beetson....

[Guest]

Cordner is a great captain.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Cordner is a great captain.

Yep...and Jake isn't.

Let's just have the one guy with the 'c' next to his name.

I'm sure they go to the toilet separately.

[Arties Pie]

Make Cordner the Captain none of this Co Captain crap, he's still young and will grow into the role as time goes by. I bet it won't take long before he becomes the Captain

everyone wants him to be as he holds his own play to high standards and won't cop less from his other players for long. Friend and Pearce should be nowhere near team

leadership imo.

The team needs a strong VC to back Cords when he's off the field maybe Tedesco after he has settled into the team, bring him into leadership and he may work out for the

long term. He has skills, experience and will become an integral part of the team.

[007]

I'm all for Cordner or Keary as a Captain. Not big on co-captains as if the Captain is off the field this is why you have a vice - captain.

Pearce had his chance and is better off just concentrating on his football. Cordner is a very well respected player and doesn't have to say a lot. I find he leads by example. People like Gallen/Smith are nothing but whingers who argue every decision regardless how blatant it is - that's not what the Roosters are about.

Keary for mine would be a great vice-captain and eventually a Captain. On the park for 80 minutes, young, talented, will only get better and as some have said well educated and well spoken. Also, anyone that doesn't like Russell Crowe is a winner in my books.

[4 the all in brawl]

I'm all for Cordner or Keary as a Captain. Not big on co-captains as if the Captain is off the field this is why you have a vice - captain.

Pearce had his chance and is better off just concentrating on his football. Cordner is a very well respected player and doesn't have to say a lot. I find he leads by example. People like Gallen/Smith are nothing but whingers who argue every decision regardless how blatant it is - that's not what the Roosters are about.

Keary for mine would be a great vice-captain and eventually a Captain. On the park for 80 minutes, young, talented, will only get better and as some have said well educated and well spoken. Also, anyone that doesn't like Russell Crowe is a winner in my books.

I also like it shaken and not stirred...

[The Thracian]

junior as overall captain with cords and jake as co vice captains?

I now have that vomit taste in my mouth

[bondi paul]

Make Cordner the Captain none of this Co Captain crap, he's still young and will grow into the role as time goes by. I bet it won't take long before he becomes the Captain

everyone wants him to be as he holds his own play to high standards and won't cop less from his other players for long. Friend and Pearce should be nowhere near team

leadership imo.

The team needs a strong VC to back Cords when he's off the field maybe Tedesco after he has settled into the team, bring him into leadership and he may work out for the

long term. He has skills, experience and will become an integral part of the team.

Cordner needs a (c) - state selectors have made him capt and I think the so called NRL establishment and refs will treat him with great respect and this one would imagine have benefits for the team and club. In a way this likely respect was evident when the ref penalised Gallen for the " holding down" incident when we beat the sharks and furthermore it was the current blues capt awarded the penalty against the ex blues capt. If the club don't make him sole capt then I have the view the club is confused. The whole Pearce / Robbo and Friend/ Politis relationships a road block.

[Johnny Tobin]

Cords rushed off the field first after the game. I know he was shattered but that's not a good look.