The Mole's NRL season preview: Why the signs are worrying for the Sydney Roosters

[Tommy Smith]

Souths
Melbourne
Penrith
Raiders

I just looked at the Raiders proposed starting back 5 for the season:

Klokstad
Simonson
Timoko
Scott
Rapana

Contrast that to:

Tedesco
Toops
Jmoz
Manu
Bmoz

with Suualii in the wings.

I'll take us anyday over the Raiders.

[DP1990]

I don't get all the hype with “Souffs” being considered a legitimate threat this year. They lack the consistent discipline to stay on track for the full season.


Let’s look at the odds-on favourite issues which will most-likely appear at some point this season to derail or distract “Souffs”

• Latrell Mitchell’s form
• Latrell Mitchell’s contract issue
• Latrell Mitchell and his off-field drama(s) which will be linked to one of the following: Racism, family issues and/or indigenous culture
• Wayne Bennett leaving the club at the end of the season
• Depth in key positions
• Adam Reynolds and his suspect injuries
• Cody Walker and his form/consistency

Yes, they blitzed us in the last competition game of the 2020 season which may have upset our confidence and psyche but seriously … we beat ourselves … our light was flickering, and that game just put our lights out for the year. It was a tumultuous year with injuries everywhere and the big the loss of Radley (which let’s be honest… if he plays … we’re on and much stronger) was too much for us to handle and contain towards the finals run and even then we lost to the Panthers by 1 point in QF1 and went down by 4 points to the Raiders in SF1 ... close but no cigar !

The teams in my opinion which will be a threat this season:

• Storm
• Raiders
• Panthers
• Manly Sea Eagles (at full strength with Tommy Turbo obviously)

[Bansai Pipeline]

The Tits could be in the mix.

[dice]

I don't get all the hype with “Souffs” being considered a legitimate threat this year.

They are a contender in a weak competition, but people reading way too much into their game against us. Bennett was smart enough to realise the rule changes would take a physical toll and sacrificed the first half of the season to make sure their players were primed for the finals. He also kept some attacking aces up his sleeve for the backend of the season. Contrast that to Robbo panicking after losing first two games, getting the players primed to secure a top 4 spot which lead to injuries and fatigue.

That advantage is gone now.

[Mickie Lane]

I don't get all the hype with “Souffs” being considered a legitimate threat this year. They lack the consistent discipline to stay on track for the full season.


Let’s look at the odds-on favourite issues which will most-likely appear at some point this season to derail or distract “Souffs”

• Latrell Mitchell’s form
• Latrell Mitchell’s contract issue
• Latrell Mitchell and his off-field drama(s) which will be linked to one of the following: Racism, family issues and/or indigenous culture
• Wayne Bennett leaving the club at the end of the season
• Depth in key positions
• Adam Reynolds and his suspect injuries
• Cody Walker and his form/consistency

Yes, they blitzed us in the last competition game of the 2020 season which may have upset our confidence and psyche but seriously … we beat ourselves … our light was flickering, and that game just put our lights out for the year. It was a tumultuous year with injuries everywhere and the big the loss of Radley (which let’s be honest… if he plays … we’re on and much stronger) was too much for us to handle and contain towards the finals run and even then we lost to the Panthers by 1 point in QF1 and went down by 4 points to the Raiders in SF1 ... close but no cigar !

The teams in my opinion which will be a threat this season:

• Storm
• Raiders
• Panthers
• Manly Sea Eagles (at full strength with Tommy Turbo obviously)

They probably have the best spine in the comp along with Melbourne but yeah mate Souths are no chance.
Hate to disappoint you but they will be in the top 4 & a big chance to win the comp.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

They probably have the best spine in the comp along with Melbourne but yeah mate Souths are no chance.
Hate to disappoint you but they will be in the top 4 & a big chance to win the comp.

Their spine has a "melt when the pressures on" feel to me. That could cost them in the big games.

[dice]

Their spine has a "melt when the pressures on" feel to me. That could cost them in the big games.

Are you suggesting their spine are spineless?

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Are you suggesting their spine are spineless?

Not completely...and they can look pretty when the pressures off.

[ChookMaster]

Souths finished higher then they should have last season, but they showed they can play probably the most lethal attacking side in the comp and now with the added signings of mansour and arrow alongside benji who could be anything for them ( bad to good ) it looks like the window has opened for them to win the whole damn thing IMO.

Raiders have a monster pack with the returning Hodgson should be a good footy team .. Williams more seasoned too which will make him improve.

[zac]

souths are looking as good as anyone but not sure their signings are that big. marshall's capable of playing well but he's no sure thing to win you a comp. ditto mansour - his best days are behind him and he's not tuqiri. arrow's a very good player but with cam murray already there they'll need to juggle things a bit to get it right.

[Headless Chook]

souths are looking as good as anyone but not sure their signings are that big. marshall's capable of playing well but he's no sure thing to win you a comp. ditto mansour - his best days are behind him and he's not tuqiri. arrow's a very good player but with cam murray already there they'll need to juggle things a bit to get it right.

Yeah I don't get why they signed Arrow. I know they lost Burgess but it wasn't a like for like replacement and it was more like they looked for the highest profile middle forward that was available rather than actually planning things out. I'm guessing they will have to play him in the front row because Murray tends to go quiet when played on an edge

[Tom Verlaine's Ghost]

I think it'll be Parramatta's year, believe it or not -- but it looks wide open. There's always one team that improves
dramatically.

Roosters? On the wane for a season or two. Maybe bottom half of the eight.

[The Brain]

You have to look at the new rules and the offside 6again onslaught that is coming.
who will benefit the most who will adapt the best ?
Souffs will rely heavily on the 6agains .
Roosters will not be able to be brutal in defense .Going to have to move quickly to avoid the 6again bullshit but if they go our way ..beware.
Melbourne have already spent 3 months working out how to cheat the system ..they would educate their wingers to keep calling the opposition offside to the linesmen ...hence 6again galore.....Plus Bellacheat is smart enough to find more ways to cheat than what I could think of ...Advantage Melbourne.
Penriff will be the refs darlings .
Ricky Stuart will be kicking chairs and drinking with O'Brian .
Titans will go good and will also be loved by refs
The rest have not got a clue.

[King Salvo]

I would have the Chooks at 5th favourite after the Riff/Sprinkles/ Vermin/Plunderers myself - Other teams will improve so it is going to be a tougher season - Chooks need to start well and be consistent over 80 minutes week in week out.

[King Salvo]

I think it'll be Parramatta's year, believe it or not -- but it looks wide open. There's always one team that improves
dramatically.

Roosters? On the wane for a season or two. Maybe bottom half of the eight.

A few mates have been saying it's the lay down sally's (Parra) year every year since their last one last century in 1986. I will be reminding them it's 35 years this year since 1986. I can't see them winning it myself just don't have a consistent half pairing and they have some flimsy defence out wide. Need to replace Jennings too since he has been stood down.