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I still have no voice after last night... my seat was right next to Bay 36 (I was in 35) and I was doing my Rooster crow all night as soon as the Souffs fans went quiet. Was hilarious actually... Souffs were pretty quiet all night... then got all cocky with 15 to go... then started walking out with 5 to go (while the remaining fans started booing when Reynolds missed that kick at the end). I shook their hands as they were leaving and was like 'well played... thanks for coming' (and crowing in between handshakes). WHAT A NIGHT!!! Dead set the best game ever at that stadium.
Having lived across the road from it all through my childhood, I have NEVER seen that stadium full. NEVER!!! It was great to see that (anecdotally) the crowd was mostly Roosters fans as well.
The competition? IMO while it wasn't a pretty game, it doesn't get much better than managing a forward-heavy Souffs outfit out of a game despite being without 2 rep stars (one our goal kicker), having our halfback playing without function in 1/2 his body and (pretty much) blooding a youngster to mark up one of the best centres in the modern era of footy. We didn't just win... it showed a lot of character for us to hold them to zero tries in the given circumstances. Watching replays of how Cronk was able to hobble around the field and direct play brings out some pretty big emotions because it shows how much we all had each orher's backs. Souffs constantly went for the dog shot on Cronk, but young Joey Manu and clubman Maubs protected him from harm. We adapted well in attack too! Keary (and Friend too!) rose for the occasion. Cronk's cool management (and complete trust in our boys - even the young ones) made a clear difference, with Souffs even admitting the had NFI why they simply weren't finding the correct positions for their attacking sets. Of course, it was because they only have about 2, known as 'pass it to Cook' and 'pass it to GI/Gagai'... both of which we managed out of their game through highly structured defence.
Despite Latrell being out, Toops played on of his best games of the season. He was safe under those high balls and put on lotsa damaging runs throughout the game. Haven't seen the stats but I reckon we would have at least 4 players up there near the 150m mark in runs (Toops, Fergo, Teddy and... maybe even Tauks on that busted ankle!!! He was a machine against those bald, pudgey, white brothers who wear way too much foundation and lipstick).
Regardless of the GF result (which will probably be the NRL's best chance at a stacked farewell for Smith and Slater), IMO this will go down as the game of the season. Nobody cares about the Storm (and that Sharks rivalry is soooo fake... nobody from Cronulla cares about Melbourne and your average mug on the Melbourne tram probably doesn't even know where Cronulla is). This was THE rivalry at a packed stadium, just before its demolition. Any chance I can get myself a piece of rubble from the SFS? I'd love to frame it!!!
As I ride back to the nation's capital on the morning bus (complete with Dannemann, cognac and monicle of course) I feel content. I was torn at this time last year because I knew we were better than the Cows. Since signing Cronk, I have been in 2 minds about whether it was ever a good idea. IMO this game showed me where it's all at and I reckon Chichton will be pretty glad he made the call (seeing as you are going nowhere as a Souffs forward unless your surname is Burgarse).
I am satisfied that we played our best last night. IMO most people were quietly expecting Souffs to do the job on us and they didn't. I'm extremely proud to be a Roosters fan today!!!!
Now the wait begins... I hate the Drizzle but hope we are both full strength (i.e. no injuries/suspensions for either team) so that it's a real best of the best game. IMO we have the more complete team. The Drizzle have a few big, cheating forwards, a couple of really fast outside backs and all of the current QLD/Kangaroos playmakers. They are good cheats and good game managers but IMO Cronk will step up a further notch for the GF, forcing the point that he should be an immortal before Smith as he can win a preliminary with a busted shoulder (purely through game management) and win a GF against the other 2 'big 3' fair and square. The GF will mean a lot to all our players and having Napa + Latrell back 100% rested will be aaaaawesome. Can't wait to be there.
Having lived across the road from it all through my childhood, I have NEVER seen that stadium full. NEVER!!! It was great to see that (anecdotally) the crowd was mostly Roosters fans as well.
The competition? IMO while it wasn't a pretty game, it doesn't get much better than managing a forward-heavy Souffs outfit out of a game despite being without 2 rep stars (one our goal kicker), having our halfback playing without function in 1/2 his body and (pretty much) blooding a youngster to mark up one of the best centres in the modern era of footy. We didn't just win... it showed a lot of character for us to hold them to zero tries in the given circumstances. Watching replays of how Cronk was able to hobble around the field and direct play brings out some pretty big emotions because it shows how much we all had each orher's backs. Souffs constantly went for the dog shot on Cronk, but young Joey Manu and clubman Maubs protected him from harm. We adapted well in attack too! Keary (and Friend too!) rose for the occasion. Cronk's cool management (and complete trust in our boys - even the young ones) made a clear difference, with Souffs even admitting the had NFI why they simply weren't finding the correct positions for their attacking sets. Of course, it was because they only have about 2, known as 'pass it to Cook' and 'pass it to GI/Gagai'... both of which we managed out of their game through highly structured defence.
Despite Latrell being out, Toops played on of his best games of the season. He was safe under those high balls and put on lotsa damaging runs throughout the game. Haven't seen the stats but I reckon we would have at least 4 players up there near the 150m mark in runs (Toops, Fergo, Teddy and... maybe even Tauks on that busted ankle!!! He was a machine against those bald, pudgey, white brothers who wear way too much foundation and lipstick).
Regardless of the GF result (which will probably be the NRL's best chance at a stacked farewell for Smith and Slater), IMO this will go down as the game of the season. Nobody cares about the Storm (and that Sharks rivalry is soooo fake... nobody from Cronulla cares about Melbourne and your average mug on the Melbourne tram probably doesn't even know where Cronulla is). This was THE rivalry at a packed stadium, just before its demolition. Any chance I can get myself a piece of rubble from the SFS? I'd love to frame it!!!
As I ride back to the nation's capital on the morning bus (complete with Dannemann, cognac and monicle of course) I feel content. I was torn at this time last year because I knew we were better than the Cows. Since signing Cronk, I have been in 2 minds about whether it was ever a good idea. IMO this game showed me where it's all at and I reckon Chichton will be pretty glad he made the call (seeing as you are going nowhere as a Souffs forward unless your surname is Burgarse).
I am satisfied that we played our best last night. IMO most people were quietly expecting Souffs to do the job on us and they didn't. I'm extremely proud to be a Roosters fan today!!!!
Now the wait begins... I hate the Drizzle but hope we are both full strength (i.e. no injuries/suspensions for either team) so that it's a real best of the best game. IMO we have the more complete team. The Drizzle have a few big, cheating forwards, a couple of really fast outside backs and all of the current QLD/Kangaroos playmakers. They are good cheats and good game managers but IMO Cronk will step up a further notch for the GF, forcing the point that he should be an immortal before Smith as he can win a preliminary with a busted shoulder (purely through game management) and win a GF against the other 2 'big 3' fair and square. The GF will mean a lot to all our players and having Napa + Latrell back 100% rested will be aaaaawesome. Can't wait to be there.
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