Realistically - I reckon we are at least 3-4 years off

[melon....]

3 or4 years before we are a force and serious contenders. Whilst we ponder the mass youth swamping the ranks of the roosters at the moment, something tells me they will fall short without that 50 or so games under their belts. Its easily teh most concetrated effort on developmnet for teh top squad since te h99 and 2000s team. 2 key positions that are not filled with the best around, (5/8 and fullback) and I see us struggling with the big teams for at least another 3 years.

When this crop turns 22-23 with the support of senior and experienced players like Maloney, Pearce, Morbs and Friend we might do something.

I see the current crop lacking the balance between youth and experience required at this stage of thei rdevelopmnet. I see a couple of overdue retirements needed as well.

All in all it should be interesting at least watching these blokes build something in teh next 3 or 4 seasons. Then hopefully by 2015 or so we might be real contenders pushing for the trophy.

[Yak]

2014 for me if:
- we have signed Maloney
- Henare Wells can put on 10 kgs this year (the kid is a supreme talent)
- Tuivasa-Sheck lives up to the way he's regarded across the ditch

Average age of the forward pack will be ~24. If Kennedy can get past these foot problems I honestly believe we will have the best pair of bookends in the comp in he and Tasi. Unfortunately I highly doubt we will be able to keep both Mose and JWH, especially if Kane Evans and Josh Ailaomai step up to first grade well.

2014 is the year for mine and then for the next 3!!!

[Guest]

3 or4 years before we are a force and serious contenders. Whilst we ponder the mass youth swamping the ranks of the roosters at the moment, something tells me they will fall short without that 50 or so games under their belts. Its easily teh most concetrated effort on developmnet for teh top squad since te h99 and 2000s team. 2 key positions that are not filled with the best around, (5/8 and fullback) and I see us struggling with the big teams for at least another 3 years.

When this crop turns 22-23 with the support of senior and experienced players like Maloney, Pearce, Morbs and Friend we might do something.

I see the current crop lacking the balance between youth and experience required at this stage of thei rdevelopmnet. I see a couple of overdue retirements needed as well.

All in all it should be interesting at least watching these blokes build something in teh next 3 or 4 seasons. Then hopefully by 2015 or so we might be real contenders pushing for the trophy.

Are you saying that Maloney is a confirmed signing?

[Guest]

The thing is, we have been three or four years off every year since '09.

Carney fuucked us over, but as they say, a week is a long time in football.

There are too many variables to put a time frame on it, but I agree, this is very clearly a concerted effort at building to something.

It will be interesting to see how concerted it actually is when we get a salary cap rise, and guys like Cooper and SBW are on the market.

[melon....]

Im not saying anything. but if he was signed, he would feature in that leadership group holding down one critical position we are lacking in today. Actually Id play him at half, and move Pearce to his best possie, 5/8.

[melon....]

Not really BF....we went out and tried to buy instant success like so many times before. The only time we won someting (claytons title aside) was off the back of 3 or so years of blooding youth like bonetti, mini, Fletch, Heggarty, Cross. Although Quentin didnt make the big one in 2002.

Teh key was who we had in the key possies.

Morley in the hfront.
Fittler in teh halves
Bonetti at hooker
Phillips at the back.

I challenge anyone to find a better more balanced combination for 1,6,9,and 10.

for all teh big fast islanders were blooding, we dont have those positions filled with brilliance and strong minds. teh only one who's prven him self to date and reached his potential is Friend. Marty may well do so if the ankles hold up.

[Guest]

Good thread melon and i totally agree.
We are atleast 3 years away!
If Maloney is signed and the blossoming of our young but promising forward pack,things are really looking good for our Club.
Add to that Minis departure and the emergence of Wells and Scheck,and we have reason to smile!

[Rooster_6]

I'd say 2 years, I reckon we'll be there or there abouts for the top 8 this season, definitely top 8 2013 and pushing for the title in 2014. Surrounding established players with untried youth really isn't as unbalanced as it sounds. Manly & the Warriors did it to great success this year, the only thing we lack is creativeness outside of the game plan. SKD is great but a centre to provide all our creativity... I doubt it.

There's also a clear lack of a forward leader at the moment, Kennedy at 22 with foot problems really isn't a great option.

[Guest]

Not really BF....we went out and tried to buy instant success like so many times before. The only time we won someting (claytons title aside) was off the back of 3 or so years of blooding youth like bonetti, mini, Fletch, Heggarty, Cross. Although Quentin didnt make the big one in 2002.

Teh key was who we had in the key possies.

Morley in the hfront.
Fittler in teh halves
Bonetti at hooker
Phillips at the back.

I challenge anyone to find a better more balanced combination for 1,6,9,and 10.

for all teh big fast islanders were blooding, we dont have those positions filled with brilliance and strong minds. teh only one who's prven him self to date and reached his potential is Friend. Marty may well do so if the ankles hold up.

The Broncs 92/93 team had a pretty fair comination in those key positions.

I agree, we are atleast 3 years off having a team capable of winning a comp. I think our 2012 teams creative spark is going to be lacking big time. It is one thing for our forwards to get us over the ad line, its another thing for our backs to put the ball over the line. I can see another year of Tries off kicks.

[Geohood]

We're always either 2 weeks away or 2 years away as Roosters supporters

[Guest]

We're always either 2 weeks away or 2 years away as Roosters supporters

True that!

[Guest]

We're always either 2 weeks away or 2 years away as Roosters supporters

If Brett Mullins has a son who plays football then we'll have to wait until he's old enough to play for us.

[Guest]

Morley in the hfront.
Fittler in teh halves
Bonetti at hooker
Phillips at the back.

I challenge anyone to find a better more balanced combination for 1,6,9,and 10.

The "spine" is 1, 6, 7 and 9.

Swap Morley for Wing in your equation.

Still worldbeating.

And then along came Mini's best man.

[Guest]

I don't think we'll have to wait that long melon. I've said before 2013 is when we'll have a massive crack at the title after a building year in 2012.

Chook.

[Guest]

I reckon 2013.