Please just keep Keary!

[Yak]

Cronk and Pearce would be worse than Pearce and Keary. Neither can play 5/8. I keep reading how Pearce is fast, he is but he doesn't have great acceleration, Keary does. This is what you need to make breaks in and around the rucks.

While I agree with you that Keary is definitely a much better bet at 6, if we're being fair on Pearce can anyone actually say they've even seen him as a second receiver. All I keep hearing is he can't run, but it's a hell of a lot tougher making breaks at first receiver when your job within the attacking structure is to play unders and square everyone up to give Keary that space that he takes advantage of so well. Deadset no one on this site seems to give Pearce credit for what he does well in the side. He's in a very thankless position within Robbo's system where he plays first receiver both sides of the ruck.

[Lydon]

The club has addressed a serious problem - an inability to successfully finish a set of six - that's been a chronic problem related to Pearce. NSW have the same problem. I wrote on here some time back that Mitchell has his own YouTube blooper reel from State of Origin. And then he has the ego to sledge Thurston only top be outsledged as well.

From what we see Cronk is a far more humble character and when he is not in the Qld team, NSW usually win - the opposite of Pearce. So I believe that either Robbo is a complete idiot with the Pearce talk...or he is providing a smooth diplomatic exit which Mitch should take. In short he's saying we want you and Cronk is saying he came to the Roosters to play with Pearce etc...all to give Mitchell a smooth out when he says thanks but no thanks.

Surely we have to bring Radley forward more in 201`8 and toughen up our defence. And we need to finish a set of six and know where we're going earlier in the count.. I think Mitchell's best chance of taking his game to the next level is to give himself a challenge and start anew. He's had plenty of time to learn and this might be just the wake up call at his age that says it is now or never.

If we keep on going down the same path - well it's the definition of insanity isn't it..

I totally agree with you,I’m losing faith though in the coach making the logical decision..

[PeeGee]

Gotta keep Keary - Priority #1.

I get the feeling he will wait to see what Pearce decides. IMO if Pearce stays then Keary will go. He is not a bench utility. He is a tough champion of a 5/8th.

For farks sake.........just sign him.

[Cockadoodledoo]

While I agree with you that Keary is definitely a much better bet at 6, if we're being fair on Pearce can anyone actually say they've even seen him as a second receiver. All I keep hearing is he can't run, but it's a hell of a lot tougher making breaks at first receiver when your job within the attacking structure is to play unders and square everyone up to give Keary that space that he takes advantage of so well. Deadset no one on this site seems to give Pearce credit for what he does well in the side. He's in a very thankless position within Robbo's system where he plays first receiver both sides of the ruck.

Pearce is too predictable when he runs the ball. Watch him, he usually tucks the ball under his arm, this is a sure sign he will not pass it. He then throws his head back and launches into a gigantic sidestep which by then the defense is already anticipating and he loses speed when pulling off this step. The best steppers like Freddy would seem to accelerate after stepping, Pearce slows down. The best halves hold the ball out in front of them and run to the line, he does this occasionally and when he does he often creates something like in the final when putting Cordner through the hole. He doesn't do this enough.

I don't see the logic in gambling whether he can play a certain position when we know the guy already there (Keary) can do it at a very high level and is on less coin. Keary also has the superior short kicking game and with Cronks long and short kicking game being superior to Pearce's, I don't know why we need to keep him.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

The club has addressed a serious problem - an inability to successfully finish a set of six - that's been a chronic problem related to Pearce. NSW have the same problem. I wrote on here some time back that Mitchell has his own YouTube blooper reel from State of Origin. And then he has the ego to sledge Thurston only top be outsledged as well.

From what we see Cronk is a far more humble character and when he is not in the Qld team, NSW usually win - the opposite of Pearce. So I believe that either Robbo is a complete idiot with the Pearce talk...or he is providing a smooth diplomatic exit which Mitch should take. In short he's saying we want you and Cronk is saying he came to the Roosters to play with Pearce etc...all to give Mitchell a smooth out when he says thanks but no thanks.

Surely we have to bring Radley forward more in 201`8 and toughen up our defence. And we need to finish a set of six and know where we're going earlier in the count.. I think Mitchell's best chance of taking his game to the next level is to give himself a challenge and start anew. He's had plenty of time to learn and this might be just the wake up call at his age that says it is now or never.

If we keep on going down the same path - well it's the definition of insanity isn't it..

Recommended reading...or Jacks Pick.

[Cockadoodledoo]

The club has addressed a serious problem - an inability to successfully finish a set of six - that's been a chronic problem related to Pearce. NSW have the same problem. I wrote on here some time back that Mitchell has his own YouTube blooper reel from State of Origin. And then he has the ego to sledge Thurston only top be outsledged as well.

From what we see Cronk is a far more humble character and when he is not in the Qld team, NSW usually win - the opposite of Pearce. So I believe that either Robbo is a complete idiot with the Pearce talk...or he is providing a smooth diplomatic exit which Mitch should take. In short he's saying we want you and Cronk is saying he came to the Roosters to play with Pearce etc...all to give Mitchell a smooth out when he says thanks but no thanks.

Surely we have to bring Radley forward more in 201`8 and toughen up our defence. And we need to finish a set of six and know where we're going earlier in the count.. I think Mitchell's best chance of taking his game to the next level is to give himself a challenge and start anew. He's had plenty of time to learn and this might be just the wake up call at his age that says it is now or never.

If we keep on going down the same path - well it's the definition of insanity isn't it..

Are you really a new poster? Don't think I have seen someone make as much sense as you in all my time here.

[JAF]

Do we really need to wait 2 weeks before a decision is made on Pearce?? Geez ...

[Lydon]

Do we really need to wait 2 weeks before a decision is made on Pearce?? Geez ...

It’s all about the golden boy mate,he needs his time in Hawaii and NYC to think..

[Danish]

Friend to start the game at hooker, with Pearce on the bench.
After 20 mins Friend is replaced by Pearce.
Cronk, Pearce and Keary all on the field together for 20 mins until half time.
First 20 of second half Friend comes back on...then replaced by Pearce for the rest of the game...Cronk, Keary and Pearce on the field together.

Thats 3 interchanges used just to rotate hooker. It takes 4 to rotate the props, and you need to keep 1 interchange free in case of injury. So we would need the backrow to all play 80 mins.

No way they could commit to that.

Either Pearce, Friend, or Keary will leave because of this signing. If Robbo benches Keary, I see him sticking it out and moving mid-year. If Robbo tries to bench Pearce or Friend, they'll be gone before the season starts.

My preference is for Pearce or Friend to go

[Chooksforme]

Keary has done enough to stay, but if Pearce doesn't spit the dummy and stays, I would use Aubboson as the back sub on the bench, as he covers a few positions, and move Keary to centre, a position that has caused us problems the last couple of years, he has the pace, and slight of hand to make a good fist of the centre position. I would be unhappy to lose Keary, he has a lot to offer the club.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Friend to start the game at hooker, with Pearce on the bench.
After 20 mins Friend is replaced by Pearce.
Cronk, Pearce and Keary all on the field together for 20 mins until half time.
First 20 of second half Friend comes back on...then replaced by Pearce for the rest of the game...Cronk, Keary and Pearce on the field together.

You dont think that's too many interchanges for a hooker considering there's only 8 allowed per game?

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Keary has done enough to stay, but if Pearce doesn't spit the dummy and stays, I would use Aubboson as the back sub on the bench, as he covers a few positions, and move Keary to centre, a position that has caused us problems the last couple of years, he has the pace, and slight of hand to make a good fist of the centre position. I would be unhappy to lose Keary, he has a lot to offer the club.

I don't mind Keary playing centre in attack, but I don't know if his defense would be up to it

[Louis N]

Are you really a new poster? Don't think I have seen someone make as much sense as you in all my time here.

New poster but 'old' fan from the early 60's when losing was an art form. So seen plenty of halves from Ranier, McMullen, Junee and Mayes etc. Pearce ain
t the worst of them but he's definitely had the best deal.

[Half time]

The club has addressed a serious problem - an inability to successfully finish a set of six - that's been a chronic problem related to Pearce. NSW have the same problem. I wrote on here some time back that Mitchell has his own YouTube blooper reel from State of Origin. And then he has the ego to sledge Thurston only top be outsledged as well.

From what we see Cronk is a far more humble character and when he is not in the Qld team, NSW usually win - the opposite of Pearce. So I believe that either Robbo is a complete idiot with the Pearce talk...or he is providing a smooth diplomatic exit which Mitch should take. In short he's saying we want you and Cronk is saying he came to the Roosters to play with Pearce etc...all to give Mitchell a smooth out when he says thanks but no thanks.

Surely we have to bring Radley forward more in 201`8 and toughen up our defence. And we need to finish a set of six and know where we're going earlier in the count.. I think Mitchell's best chance of taking his game to the next level is to give himself a challenge and start anew. He's had plenty of time to learn and this might be just the wake up call at his age that says it is now or never.

If we keep on going down the same path - well it's the definition of insanity isn't it..

Excellent post mate, just as others have complimented you on.

I am highly impressed by Cronk and his professionalism. I don't think I have ever heard any of our current players (especially our so called leaders like pearce, friend etc) ever use the phrase "team first" in any interview in their long time at the club. Half of them struggle to put a proper sentence together at the best of times. I have noticed that Cordner is following Cronk's team first line publicly as well now which is good to see.

[Chookies74]

"I have noticed that Cordner is following Cronk's team first line publicly as well now which is good to see."

Cords is impressing more and more every time he speaks.
He'll love having an articulate, mature, competent on and off field leader to help him lead the team.