Official Match Thread - Grand Final Edition - Sydney Roosters vs Melbourne Storm

[ROC181]

Freddy on the footy show reckoned Matterson will be 6. Cronk to be given right up until one hour before kickoff but not expected to play.

You know what this means folks. Friend to do lots of kicking.

God help us

If he does know, I doubt Freddy would be letting the cat out of the bag considering the club has been throwing a smokescreen all week about it. He wouldn't be doing us any favours and I'm sure he would know about that. if he doesn't know he's probably just having a 'logical' guess but only because Matto played at 6 when Keary was away. He might still feel another player has been chosen but wont even be wanting to let that out either. I think his answer was just to respond to the question. We'll all see...

[Maxy Walker]

If he does know, I doubt Freddy would be letting the cat out of the bag considering the club has been throwing a smokescreen all week about it. He wouldn't be doing us any favours and I'm sure he would know about that. if he doesn't know he's probably just having a 'logical' guess but only because Matto played at 6 when Keary was away. He might still feel another player has been chosen but wont even be wanting to let that out either. I think his answer was just to respond to the question. We'll all see...

Pretty sure he said he’d spoken to Robbo and that was the word from the horses mouth. Wasn’t paying full attention but I think that’s what he said.

[mightyrooster]

I don’t like Matto at 6. It means Keary will be tied up with all the kicking responsibilities and the ball will not get out to Latrell and Toops. Teddy will need to get even more involved in attack because with only one proper half our brilliant backline will not see enough ball.

[ROC181]

Pretty sure he said he’d spoken to Robbo and that was the word from the horses mouth. Wasn’t paying full attention but I think that’s what he said.

Yes but even if he did speak to him, it could all be porkies what Freddy said. If the club is trying to keep things quiet, then Freddy spilling the beans wouldn't be right, especially since Freddy is a true blue Rooster.

[Maxy Walker]

Yes but even if he did speak to him, it could all be porkies what Freddy said. If the club is trying to keep things quiet, then Freddy spilling the beans wouldn't be right, especially since Freddy is a true blue Rooster.

Or more likely they’ve decided it’s GF day and no point keeping it a secret any longer.

[ROC181]

I don’t like Matto at 6. It means Keary will be tied up with all the kicking responsibilities and the ball will not get out to Latrell and Toops. Teddy will need to get even more involved in attack because with only one proper half our brilliant backline will not see enough ball.

Me neither. I'd be thinking that the ball wont get past him and he'll take the line on and die with it.

[ROC181]

Or more likely they’ve decided it’s GF day and no point keeping it a secret any longer.

All possibilities!!!

[Random Rooster]

Today is not the day to give cheap ball on early tackles or penalties on 4th or 5th tackles. Today is not the day for Toupo to have his mandatory fumble in his own quarter or make a poor read in defence and leave Vanivalu unmarked.
For today is the day to take on Melbournes weakness with the Roosters strength.....and thats in the forwards. Its time for the chooks big pigs to create carnage in the middle of the field and especially hurt hard in defence. JWH, Tets, The inflictor, TKO and Napalm ......its your time! Best of Luck!!!!

[Tommy Smith]

If Friend is our secondary kicking option then Lord help us all If you're in the stands then be prepared to catch his kicks!

[crikey chris]

Bondi Wall to remain strong

Easts by 8

[ROC181]

Considering how hard Latrell kicks it would seem odd to me if Robbo never asked him to try some bombs or some kicks to get out of our half in training. Even if Cronk was to play, it would be handy to have a kicker like Latrell to put some high kicks...

[gragra]

Considering Matterson replaced Keary when he was out injured and we only had 'one' kicker in Cronk, seems logical if Coops doesn't play (which I am sure he wont) Matterson will be replacing him !
I think this will be Robbos choice, but personally from a ball playing perspective I would put Radley at Half !

[Johnny73]

I am at peace with whatever happens. After yesterday's screw job on Collingwood, I know this has already been scripted.

A Melbourne win, sending Weevil (Slaters are useful) off with the Churchill medal.

[bondi.boy]

Considering Matterson replaced Keary when he was out injured and we only had 'one' kicker in Cronk, seems logical if Coops doesn't play (which I am sure he wont) Matterson will be replacing him !
I think this will be Robbos choice, but personally from a ball playing perspective I would put Radley at Half !

Me too!

Matto is not really a half these days.

Radley at half we have a chance.
Matto at half, well less chance.

I wouldn't move Keary from 5/8.

[bondi.boy]

How to beat the Storm...[according to Freddy]

. Don't just play a structured game, especially in the first half.
Latrell, Keary, teddy etc must do some thing/s unusual...or else the Storm [ Slater and Smith are such good organisers] will spend most of the game down our end of the field.

According to me;

. Don't leak tries down our wings, not even one try.
. Riot on the field if any of our kickers/players are attacked illegally/late, late/high, stomped on, chicken winged, crusher tackled, cannonballed, grappled or any other of the Storm thugs' repertoire of maiming tackles.
. Stop offloads, don't fall for dummies, "run big forwards at 'Brooks' all game".
. Sit down on the field in protest if we start getting robbed in the penalties or anything else.
. "Bash" their 6,7 and 1 out of the game...now that shoulder charges are legal again.
You obviously can shoulder charge, put one hand out and touch the player just before you belt him into next week with your shoulder.