I hope I 'm wrong.

[Vasco]

I think there are some concerns but you could pick apart the other teams and find as many.

Keary is our biggest concern. The season really hinges on him staying out there as much as possible.

With Teddy and his captaincy, I think he needs to just chill out a little and cut out some of the unnecessary passes.

Left centre is a concern because Suaalii is untried. We know how damaging he has been on the wing but centre is a totally different position, especially defensively.

With Crighton out for a while we are even skinnier in the second row. I think this is our weakest position.

As for the Cheese, he's a quality player. That's all that matters.

[Bansai Pipeline]

I have a good feeling.

For the first time in maybe ever we have an attacking hooker.

Will probably take a while to gel but I can see us playing a lot straighter.

[BTRD]

Roosters to have a BIG year. Just hope the coach doesn't talk as much. I tip a breakout year for S Wong or N Whyte.

[eddie]

A lot of pressure on our halves....................I hope they stay fit.
Having not seen the manly debacle I remain positive.

[Billy Gunn]

I am usually the ultimate optimist, but this is the flattest I have felt under Robinson.

I too want to be wrong, it has a little bit of 2016 about the lead up.

[trewhella]

I reckon I’m good at predicting when they will shit.
not feeling that this year.
FTR I think all of your points are valid.

[Vasco]

I have a good feeling.

For the first time in maybe ever we have an attacking hooker.

Will probably take a while to gel but I can see us playing a lot straighter.

Yeah last one was probably Craig Wing. And before that maybe Wayne Marshall.

[Headless Chook]

I am usually the ultimate optimist, but this is the flattest I have felt under Robinson.

I too want to be wrong, it has a little bit of 2016 about the lead up.

No way. 2016 we lost Maloney and replaced him with a kid, had JWH overcoming an ACL and the Pearce debacle. We had one trial in the UK where we beat up on a 3rd rate pommie team and thought we were flying. This season's build up is nothing like that.

[MKCS]

This seems like one of those threads we'll look back at in October and chuckle at, no disrespect intended to you OP but I strongly disagree.

- Tedesco must be a good leader and captain if he's got the job in both Origin and for Australia. He's a World Cup winning captain, Origin winning captain but struggles with the role? Come on.

- What makes you think this about Tupou? Past his best? He played Origin last year and just did well in a World Cup for Tonga. I know he was injured a little bit last year but from memory it wasn't anything major, you're making out as if he's a huge risk to do his ACL in Round 1 or something.

- Weakness at centre in Suaalii? I don't think so, I think he'll be up for a challenge and will make it his own with time.

- JWH just played for New Zealand (A pretty hard team to crack) and has 3 grand final wins under his belt, you're not going to get a much more experienced bench prop and he was immense last year especially near the back end of the season, he'll be sweet.

- Smith is 100% a top flight hooker and learned from the greatest hooker of all time in Cameron Smith, I'd say every club would want him on their books.

- Bench is pretty strong, I can't agree there either.

---

The only 2 good points for mine are the question marks over Keary (Although he was generally fine last year) and Crichton, both would be a big loss but fingers crossed they both remain healthy and don't go down to big injuries (Or mental health) in 2023.

I'd say without being biased that the Roosters probably have one of the best forward packs in the league and probably the best backline, the halves aren't the strongest in the league but would probably be top 5 to be honest.

[stringaz]

No way. 2016 we lost Maloney and replaced him with a kid, had JWH overcoming an ACL and the Pearce debacle. We had one trial in the UK where we beat up on a 3rd rate pommie team and thought we were flying. This season's build up is nothing like that.

Cords was out for a third of the season or something like that too?

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Before every season I wonder if we'll live up to the ever present hype and all the predictions we'll either win it or at least make the grand final.

I agree with everyone who says without Keary we're no chance. I'm also worried about Sam Walker, and whether or not he's going to live up to all his hype. Sacrilege I know but I reckon Sandon Smith might overtake him.