Squad v Penrith

[Lydon]

Just heard on fox that Penrith had 21 players who played last week end in the rep games.
21 players played rep footy that must be a record. Good luck Chooks.

Yet the Coach doesn’t rest any of the players and names a full strength team this week,as every game is crucial for a top 4 spot!

[Seventy Five]

Just dont get how we dont name and play Manu at 6 while Keary is out. Would definitely create more points and bring some unpredictable football that we haven't seen in a while

Agree, cant see how the same ol same ol is gonna cut it. If we do go down I would rather see us throwing something different at the opposition; its almost as if we are resigned to our fate.

Team mates grow off Joey when he gets a lot of ball and is at the defence constantly and Joey grows with the responsibility. What's to lose? Who goes to Centre though is an issue? For a Club once lauded for its depth, things have certainly change of late.

Anyway, I still believe in Cinderella stories and I will be right behind every one of the boys that run out.

[Inflictor]

Easts by 8.

[Eggspert]

Hopefully the Butcher's tackling technique against the big Panthers forwards doesn't hurt us leaving us with 2 reserves. If that's our bench then we are screwed. Fingers crossed but....

[kakaruk]

Hopefully the Butcher's tackling technique against the big Panthers forwards doesn't hurt us leaving us with 2 reserves. If that's our bench then we are screwed. Fingers crossed but....

Penrith will carve the butcher up mate

[QWERTY]

Jared hasn't played since round 12 against the sharks on the 28th May. It's a long time for a tweak...certainly didn't appear in the game. Was it a training accident?

Roosters are notorious at giving their fans no info when it comes to injuries. Pisses me off

[QWERTY]

Also Keary not in the team I think could be signalling the end for him unfortunately. 3 weeks off (playing Penrith) and it seems he’s still not right.

[Eggspert]

Also Keary not in the team I think could be signalling the end for him unfortunately. 3 weeks off (playing Penrith) and it seems he’s still not right.

It wasn't your classic KO, it was a knee to the back of the head which is still troubling him 3 weeks later. The smoke signals indicate he is one more knock away in joining Cords & Friendy unfortunately.

Get Manu into the halves now to prepare for worst case scenario or what about the forgotten man Lam?

[King Salvo]

You don't think Lam has been given enough chances in first grade to show what he has got ??

No I don't - Lam has played only 31 NRL games of which 20 were last year in 2021.

All the ex halves say it's take several seasons of NRL to become even a half decent half and many more years to fully learn your role including game management etc

It has to be noted that Lam has played only 16 games over 3 seasons in either of the halves roles..

I think Lam is a 5/8 but he can play half - he wasn't going to take Keary's place or Cronks place for that matter in 2019. ( 4 games- 3 off the bench and 1 starting 5/8 )

Ditto 2020 - Keary's spot or Flanagan's ( I think for two matches he did though) -Flanagans goal kicking was needed so he was back in the team. ( 7 games - 5 off the bench and 2 starting as 1/2 )

2021 starting 5/8 and injured in round 3 and out for 7 weeks - came back and played in a range of positions either as a starter or from the bench - half / 5/8 / centre/dummy half ( 20 games - 6 off the bench - 8 as starting 5/8 - 5 as starting 1/2 and 1 at centre )

If Lam plays again in the halves hopefully Robbo will let him play and not constrain him or have him as a second fiddle player - just pass the ball to others i.e Tedesco.

Lam has a good running, organising , support . kicking and game management game which you don't see much of when he plays in NRL - why? he could well be playing to the Coaching staff instructions and of course Tedesco demands the ball in attack as well which Keary did as well when Lam was 5/8 for those 3 games that Keary played.

• 4 games in 2019 - 3 off the bench and 1 starting as 5/8 - 3 wins and 1 loss
• 7 games in 2020 - 5 off the bench and 2 starting as 1/2 - 4 wins and 3 losses
• 20 games in 2021 - 6 off the bench - 8 as starting 5/8 , 5 as starting 1/2 and 1 as starting centre - 13 wins and 7 losses
• 31 games - 20 wins - 10 losses and 1 draw - 64.52% win ratio

https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/p...m/summary.html

[GrubBER]

Maybe the coach is using next weeks bye to his advantage on giving Keary a full 5 week rest which in total he misses 2games only in this time. BUT!! if he’s not back after the bye VS Dragons then say goodbye.

[roosterchook]

I think the wisdom in giving Keary more time off is to keep him for the ‘winnable games’ after the bye. Obviously Robbo seems to think we have no chance against the riff so is not risking Keary for nothing.

[Thirteen]

I think the wisdom in giving Keary more time off is to keep him for the ‘winnable games’ after the bye. Obviously Robbo seems to think we have no chance against the riff so is not risking Keary for nothing.

If Robbo thinks this, then sack him today! And sack yourself for suggesting it.

[zac]

i'm happy with the team. i'd keep hutch at 5/8 to kick and be a big body but give manu a license to get his hands on the ball whenever he wants it

[Waylander]

FYI, I've corrected the team list as I had Nat & Egan around the wrong way. I've also added the extended bench and officials to the OP.

We've got Sutton, with Klein in the Bunker. Ugh!!

[NorfolkStreetKid]

We are due for a win, they are due for a loss.
We have a better back 3 that they do.
We have at least as good centres and 5/8, yes Hutch is as good as Luai,
they have a better half, but ours is still bloody good.
we both have good locks,
and the forwards cancel each other out.
The benches are what they are, we are missing two big strengths in JWH and Keary, and it's at their home ground, so they have the advantage.
But...... we can win this if we complete well, move up on them with a quick defensive line, pressure Cleary, employ a great kicking game..... if you play Penrith in their own hafl they are very beatable,
we have to kick well and chase well.
I think they will take us easy, they will be over confident, and they will be a bit flat, we can win this.
Teddy, Toops, Manu, Smith, Suaali, Walker, Radley, Angus, Sitili, Collins, Verrils, TKO.....
they start in any NRL team,
4 Origin players,
3 future origin players,
3 other nations internationals,
and 2 very solid first graders.
Plus Hutch, the Butchers, Baker and Watson. I am expecting us to put in a very good performance.