Official Match Thread - Wests Tigers vs Sydney Roosters

[mattyh]

we should win well, but its round 1, are we complacent ? i hope not, tigers will be up for it for a while, esp given tedesco , but our class should win out in the end

[Rooster_6]

The Tigers will scrap hard this season, especially in the first half of the season. If they can jag some wins and keep morale & motivation high they'll be a pain in the backside for quite a few sides.

They definitely lack some class & skill but there's plenty of competitors in that side and with the rustiness that's usually displayed in the opening 5 rounds a lot of the games just come down to pure will & desire.

I agree that we're clear favourties but I've always refused to put a bet on any game in the opening 5 rounds due to how volatile & unpredictable the results can be.

[crikey chris]

Although the first few rounds always have included upsets, this WON'T be one of them. Tight first half, then Easts by plenty...

[roosterproud]

if we win that will be 11 in a row . we have a new halves paring and a new fullback, who has to play infront of a hateful disrespectfull stadium full of wests magpies. we should win by lots

[ROC181]

The Tigers will scrap hard this season, especially in the first half of the season. If they can jag some wins and keep morale & motivation high they'll be a pain in the backside for quite a few sides.

They definitely lack some class & skill but there's plenty of competitors in that side and with the rustiness that's usually displayed in the opening 5 rounds a lot of the games just come down to pure will & desire.

I agree that we're clear favourties but I've always refused to put a bet on any game in the opening 5 rounds due to how volatile & unpredictable the results can be.

Yeah that's what I fear. Morale is not an issue for them at the moment. The Tigers will be wanting to have a good start. New players, a decent coach. The fact that no one rates them will spur them on...and as for Bigchook mentioning Reynolds...well he is what the Dogs relied on to spark something over the last few years so I'm expecting him having a dig and hopefully we don't fall asleep. We SHOULD win if we don't think we have the two points before the kickoff.

[Louis N]

Do people who follow shit clubs look forward to the start of the season as much as us? Or is it because they live dull, meaninless lives they have nothing else to look forward to other than being beaten by the Chooks?

It's loyalty Joe. Good on them. We need those clubs.

I followed the Roosters back in 63,64,65 and 66 when we really couldn't get much lower. I always looked forward to the season and after 66...even just a win. If they didn't stick strong there wouldn't be a club or the joys of a 67.68 or 72,74,75 etc. Gotta stay strong. It makes victory all the sweeter and we're lucky to be riding a good wave at the moment. I think most of us are lapping it up.

[eddie]

It's loyalty Joe. Good on them. We need those clubs.

Like all the old Norths supporters, waiting since the early 20's for another title.
Other fans used to give them heaps, but it only bound them closer together and spurred them on.
They wore their premiership drought like a badge of honour, and looked forward to every season just as much as the fans of the premiers.
North Sydney oval always provided a great atmosphere.

[Steakface]

Disagree strongly that we'll win this in a canter.

I still expect us to win, but i think it'll be close. We've got a completely new spine Round 1 apart from Friend.

The Tigers will be well coached & hungry - Cleary is all class and i reckon they'll punch a little above their weight this season.

[David Bill Williams]

Games are not played on paper though- this will be a tight game and Robbo will need the team up as if they are playing any of the top sides - Many Many Many times I have seen the Roosters lose games to teams they should have beaten well. It`s about attitude and execution and the Roosters will need to show this from round 1 and throughout the season - no good/bad and the ugly in the same game - need to be much much more consistent to live up to the expectations of being a genuine contender in 2018.

Were you saying this last year, game 1, Titans v Roosters as well?

[top_joe]

We wont fall asleep as badly this year.

Famous last words.

[eddie]

Disagree strongly that we'll win this in a canter.
I still expect us to win, but i think it'll be close. We've got a completely new spine Round 1 apart from Friend.
The Tigers will be well coached & hungry - Cleary is all class and i reckon they'll punch a little above their weight this season.

Agree with all you said, but they are in the same situation as us in regards to a new "spine".
The uncertainty with Kearys availability plays into their hands however.
Cornish, being a completely different style of player, means our attack will operate very differently depending on who takes the field. Our preperation will be more of a challenge.

Having said that, the result is hard to predict.
A lot depends on how Cronk operates in his first game. If his influence keeps the teams feet on the ground, and we play tough and show them respect early on, there's every chance we could run away with the game in the 2nd half.
But even if our new combination needs time to gel and the score remains close, our class should get us home.

in short, Easts by either 4 points, or 44 points.

[Bigchook]

Lol the cliches being thrown around here. If we don't win by 18+ I won't post on this forum again this year!

[4 the all in brawl]

Lol the cliches being thrown around here. If we don't win by 18+ I won't post on this forum again this year!

Roosters by 17.....

[eddie]

Roosters by 17.....

Perfect result.
A winning start and freedom of speech as a bonus.

[Bigchook]

Perfect result.
A winning start and freedom of speech as a bonus.

Wouldn't be surprised to see you in a tigers Jersey this week mate.