Jake friend needs to go NOW!!!

[Andrew Walker]

So don’t pass.

Im sure had he not There would be people here blowing up about that

[David Bill Williams]

Not sure Baptiste is really the answer he looked pretty pedestrian not really any better than friend and to tell the truth in those dying minutes I was glad that friend came back on.

Wtf did you expect from him ? 15 minutes in his first game for us. The fact that he was giving good service out of dunmy half, better then what our captain has thrown all year.

The only reason Jake is not considered pedestrian is because he makes his precense felt with constant shit passes and horrible decision making.

Radley to starting hooker, Baptiste to utility hooker. Friend out

[Andrew Walker]

Friend was pretty good yesterday. It’s just comical that some want to focus on that one pass to Cronk as if that was representative of the whole game.

Yes my Brother I completely agree If those want to bag anyone out today It would be Tedesco who right now could not catch a cold in Antarctica Cfronk who receieved pretty much decent ball all day offered nothing in attack

[Johnny Tobin]

Im sure had he not There would be people here blowing up about that

That's true. But it would have been justified as well. He had to pass straight away. Then he doubled down with a penalty that gave them two points.

All of that happened after 30 minutes. He should have been replaced by then.

[Maxy Walker]

Yes my Brother I completely agree If those want to bag anyone out today It would be Tedesco who right now could not catch a cold in Antarctica Cfronk who receieved pretty much decent ball all day offered nothing in attack

Indeed brother. I fear for where we are headed with Cronk. He’s trying hard but it’s just not working out.

[Andrew Walker]

That's true. But it would have been justified as well. He had to pass straight away. Then he doubled down with a penalty that gave them two points.

All of that happened after 30 minutes. He should have been replaced by then.

Baptiste looks even worse to me though

[Johnny Tobin]

Baptiste looks even worse to me though

He was tentative in that game but he has the ability to make breaks from dummy half.

I want to see how he goes over the next few weeks but don't think he will be more than a bench hooker for us.

[Palm Beach Rooster]

Never a better time to play NZ with the injuries, time to start with Radley worth a try, because we will do well to win over there anyway

[HEGtheROOSTER]

I think Jake Friend has given the best service to this club of any dummy half in the past forty years or so, when taking into account effort, contribution, leadership, number of years played, premierships won, etc.

That being said, I think it’s time for the tap on the shoulder...

A few few years ago I thought he was at his peak. He went through a period where his defense was good (as it always is), his little kicks were coming off more often than not, and he looked creative out of dummy-half. At this point I, like others, saw him as a successor to Cam Smith in the Qld Origin arena.

Since then I believe his game has deteriorated.

He’ll still do the 60 tackles per game, but his service is slow and he often does a few forward passes each game (some of which get called), and a few that go behind the player that they have to reach back for.
His kicking game is far more rocks than diamonds, and he offers nothing in individual attack. This makes it a lot easier for the opposition defense around the ruck who can concentrate on stopping our go forward up the middle without worrying about a scoot from dummy half.
He also seems to be more prone to brain fades and poor decision-making, probably due to his workload.
I’ve also noticed his impact in tackles is now minimal and he seems now to struggle to bring down players one-on-one (even backs).

I also believe that this has been going on too long now to be a “slump”.

What complicates the situation is on is his contribution to the club as a captain and long-serving premiership-winning player, the redemption story, loyalty, alleged popularity with the players, nice guy, etc, etc...

I would love nothing better than to be proved wrong, and I think every true, loyal Roosters supporter wishes him to play well every time he runs out....

But....I think the writing is on the wall, and I think it’s actually been there now for a while...

[Johnny Tobin]

I think Jake Friend has given the best service to this club of any dummy half in the past forty years or so, when taking into account effort, contribution, leadership, number of years played, premierships won, etc.

That being said, I think it’s time for the tap on the shoulder...

A few few years ago I thought he was at his peak. He went through a period where his defense was good (as it always is), his little kicks were coming off more often than not, and he looked creative out of dummy-half. At this point I, like others, saw him as a successor to Cam Smith in the Qld Origin arena.

Since then I believe his game has deteriorated.

He’ll still do the 60 tackles per game, but his service is slow and he often does a few forward passes each game (some of which get called), and a few that go behind the player that they have to reach back for.
His kicking game is far more rocks than diamonds, and he offers nothing in individual attack. This makes it a lot easier for the opposition defense around the ruck who can concentrate on stopping our go forward up the middle without worrying about a scoot from dummy half.
He also seems to be more prone to brain fades and poor decision-making, probably due to his workload.
I’ve also noticed his impact in tackles is now minimal and he seems now to struggle to bring down players one-on-one (even backs).

I also believe that this has been going on too long now to be a “slump”.

What complicates the situation is on is his contribution to the club as a captain and long-serving premiership-winning player, the redemption story, loyalty, alleged popularity with the players, nice guy, etc, etc...

I would love nothing better than to be proved wrong, and I think every true, loyal Roosters supporter wishes him to play well every time he runs out....

But....I think the writing is on the wall, and I think it’s actually been there now for a while...

100%

[David Bill Williams]

Baptiste looks even worse to me though

What did Baptiste do to make himself look worse then Friend?
He can throw a proper pass and that already makes him the better hooker where your main job is to PASS

[Vasco]

I think Jake Friend has given the best service to this club of any dummy half in the past forty years or so, when taking into account effort, contribution, leadership, number of years played, premierships won, etc.

That being said, I think it’s time for the tap on the shoulder...

A few few years ago I thought he was at his peak. He went through a period where his defense was good (as it always is), his little kicks were coming off more often than not, and he looked creative out of dummy-half. At this point I, like others, saw him as a successor to Cam Smith in the Qld Origin arena.

Since then I believe his game has deteriorated.

He’ll still do the 60 tackles per game, but his service is slow and he often does a few forward passes each game (some of which get called), and a few that go behind the player that they have to reach back for.
His kicking game is far more rocks than diamonds, and he offers nothing in individual attack. This makes it a lot easier for the opposition defense around the ruck who can concentrate on stopping our go forward up the middle without worrying about a scoot from dummy half.
He also seems to be more prone to brain fades and poor decision-making, probably due to his workload.
I’ve also noticed his impact in tackles is now minimal and he seems now to struggle to bring down players one-on-one (even backs).

I also believe that this has been going on too long now to be a “slump”.

What complicates the situation is on is his contribution to the club as a captain and long-serving premiership-winning player, the redemption story, loyalty, alleged popularity with the players, nice guy, etc, etc...

I would love nothing better than to be proved wrong, and I think every true, loyal Roosters supporter wishes him to play well every time he runs out....

But....I think the writing is on the wall, and I think it’s actually been there now for a while...

Spot on.

[Bigchook]

Baptiste looks even worse to me though

Baptiste is a reserve grader at best. As gross as it sounds I'd rather friend out there.

[Andrew Walker]

What did Baptiste do to make himself look worse then Friend?
He can throw a proper pass and that already makes him the better hooker where your main job is to PASS

He was on for about 15 minutes and immediately looked slower than Jake looks after being on the field for 70 minutes

[David Bill Williams]

He was on for about 15 minutes and immediately looked slower than Jake looks after being on the field for 70 minutes

Are you talking about his service or his running?