Lodge will spend an extended stint on the sidelines to repair a facial fracture

[Roosterfarian]

Our front row stocks are ridiculous. Outside Collins, Lodge and JWH noone is putting their hand up and havent done so in years. It'll be our downfall this year.

What about Radley? Does that guy have shit for brains or what? Do you think he has learnt his lesson about launching himself like some sort of scud missile every game and then getting knocked out? It's a low percentage play that has a HUGE impact when it doesnt come off and he gets ruled out of the game (including the following week). This guy is starting to irritate me.

[Rooster90]

SOS Napa.

At least he will actually tackle blokes....I miss having a feared forward pack.

Now we really do have a squad full of latte sippers

[Steakface]

SOS Napa.

LOL.

You'd be begging for Baker after watching 15 minutes of an underdone Napa on the field.

[Steakface]

Our front row stocks are ridiculous. Outside Collins, Lodge and JWH noone is putting their hand up and havent done so in years. It'll be our downfall this year.

What about Radley? Does that guy have shit for brains or what? Do you think he has learnt his lesson about launching himself like some sort of scud missile every game and then getting knocked out? It's a low percentage play that has a HUGE impact when it doesnt come off and he gets ruled out of the game (including the following week). This guy is starting to irritate me.

It's worth remembering just how good SST and Liu were.

Both were top line middle forwards. JWH overshadowed them, but those were the guys who ran the ball hard and straight and bent the line.

They are both a massive loss, and we haven't properly replaced them (although Lodge is showing signs of being capable, and perhaps Leniu can help fill the void next year)

[Vasco]

SOS Napa.

Might need to unleash him against Souffs.

[ism22]

Baker is 194 cm and 107 Kgs

The size is there with these guys... they just need to start behaving like alpha males on the field.

[stringaz]

Our front row stocks are ridiculous. Outside Collins, Lodge and JWH noone is putting their hand up and havent done so in years. It'll be our downfall this year.

What about Radley? Does that guy have shit for brains or what? Do you think he has learnt his lesson about launching himself like some sort of scud missile every game and then getting knocked out? It's a low percentage play that has a HUGE impact when it doesnt come off and he gets ruled out of the game (including the following week). This guy is starting to irritate me.

He's out there trying to turn the tide with his defense. Definitely caught wind of Kaufusi and wanted to get his own team fired up. That actual tackle did irritate me as well as far as the unecessary timing of it, the action was over the top, glad it wasn't in reverse and was high with a lengthy suspension.

One could argue a headknock is worse with a potentially shortened career.

I would prefer an 85% Radley for 80 minutes than a 120% one for 20.

The bloke is such a passionate Rooster, I think he can be his own worst enemy in regards to lack of self preservation and unfortunately it affects the whole team as he is not on the field when we need him most.

[stringaz]

It's worth remembering just how good SST and Liu were.

Both were top line middle forwards. JWH overshadowed them, but those were the guys who ran the ball hard and straight and bent the line.

They are both a massive loss, and we haven't properly replaced them (although Lodge is showing signs of being capable, and perhaps Leniu can help fill the void next year)

This is the gaslighting we receive from the media and opposition fans. We have had a lot of turnover the past few years, just like what is happening to Penrith now. And everyone knows that sustained success can pull teams apart due to the rise in player value. Fact.

We do as good in the market as everyone else but I believe it's a false pretense to put us at short odds at the start of the season with no regard to the players we lose.(Tallis)

Then we are the first to lose to a brand new team who apparently (according to the pundits) are destined for the spoon even though they have an experienced forward pack, arguably the GOAT coach, and a backline with speed, skill and NRL experience.

And they loved it. David vs Goliath stuff. Although the fact is we are definitely no Goliath atm. The calibre of players we have lost over the past 3 seasons has put paid to that. I will say we still have a fair dinkum roster that other clubs may be envious of, but they are yet to win anything.

A loss of leadership, some of the younger forwards aren't coming along as quick as we'd like, older players nearing the end of their careers, still a very young half in walker who is supposed to lead us around for the next decade, a positional switch for another young dude in Sualii, and a new hooker who ive been told is not a natural no.9.

I didn't appreciate Slater's comments about apparently hearing some Roosters players talk about having the best team on paper. Thats just recycled clickbait. We are still capable of having a great season permitting injuries as we are a top heavy squad, but the loss of those players cannot be underestimated.

[Steakface]

This is the gaslighting we receive from the media and opposition fans. We have had a lot of turnover the past few years, just like what is happening to Penrith now. And everyone knows that sustained success can pull teams apart due to the rise in player value. Fact.

We do as good in the market as everyone else but I believe it's a false pretense to put us at short odds at the start of the season with no regard to the players we lose.(Tallis)

Then we are the first to lose to a brand new team who apparently (according to the pundits) are destined for the spoon even though they have an experienced forward pack, arguably the GOAT coach, and a backline with speed, skill and NRL experience.

And they loved it. David vs Goliath stuff. Although the fact is we are definitely no Goliath atm. The calibre of players we have lost over the past 3 seasons has put paid to that. I will say we still have a fair dinkum roster that other clubs may be envious of, but they are yet to win anything.

A loss of leadership, some of the younger forwards aren't coming along as quick as we'd like, older players nearing the end of their careers, still a very young half in walker who is supposed to lead us around for the next decade, a positional switch for another young dude in Sualii, and a new hooker who ive been told is not a natural no.9.

I didn't appreciate Slater's comments about apparently hearing some Roosters players talk about having the best team on paper. Thats just recycled clickbait. We are still capable of having a great season permitting injuries as we are a top heavy squad, but the loss of those players cannot be underestimated.

Well said.

It's all media who drive this shit, especially News Ltd (whose mastheads are dying, and who rely on sensationalism and trash to attract eyeballs).

There just so happens to be a lot of dumb low IQ league fans out there who are easily manipulated by their nonsense and lap it up.

The Rabbitohs are a wealthier club than the Roosters, yet the average dunce on the street reckons they are the hard-done by battlers from working class Redfern.

[DP1990]

Would Big Papi get an SOS call ?

[DP1990]

The size is there with these guys... they just need to start behaving like alpha males on the field.

Agreed. Looking "massive" on paper doesn't mean shit when Baker and May are getting bent/pushed backwards by second rowers and outside backs.


Sam Moa was smaller in comparison and incoming forward Spencer Leniu is smaller in comparison (on paper) but there's a whole difference in levels when it comes to mongrel, athleticism and X-Factor !

[gragra]

This is the gaslighting we receive from the media and opposition fans. We have had a lot of turnover the past few years, just like what is happening to Penrith now. And everyone knows that sustained success can pull teams apart due to the rise in player value. Fact.

We do as good in the market as everyone else but I believe it's a false pretense to put us at short odds at the start of the season with no regard to the players we lose.(Tallis)

Then we are the first to lose to a brand new team who apparently (according to the pundits) are destined for the spoon even though they have an experienced forward pack, arguably the GOAT coach, and a backline with speed, skill and NRL experience.

And they loved it. David vs Goliath stuff. Although the fact is we are definitely no Goliath atm. The calibre of players we have lost over the past 3 seasons has put paid to that. I will say we still have a fair dinkum roster that other clubs may be envious of, but they are yet to win anything.

A loss of leadership, some of the younger forwards aren't coming along as quick as we'd like, older players nearing the end of their careers, still a very young half in walker who is supposed to lead us around for the next decade, a positional switch for another young dude in Sualii, and a new hooker who ive been told is not a natural no.9.

I didn't appreciate Slater's comments about apparently hearing some Roosters players talk about having the best team on paper. Thats just recycled clickbait. We are still capable of having a great season permitting injuries as we are a top heavy squad, but the loss of those players cannot be underestimated.

Absolutely spot on!!

[Andrew Walker]

Would Big Papi get an SOS call ?

Certainly not beyond the realms of possibility

[stringaz]

This is the gaslighting we receive from the media and opposition fans. We have had a lot of turnover the past few years, just like what is happening to Penrith now. And everyone knows that sustained success can pull teams apart due to the rise in player value. Fact.

We do as good in the market as everyone else but I believe it's a false pretense to put us at short odds at the start of the season with no regard to the players we lose.(Tallis)

Then we are the first to lose to a brand new team who apparently (according to the pundits) are destined for the spoon even though they have an experienced forward pack, arguably the GOAT coach, and a backline with speed, skill and NRL experience.

And they loved it. David vs Goliath stuff. Although the fact is we are definitely no Goliath atm. The calibre of players we have lost over the past 3 seasons has put paid to that. I will say we still have a fair dinkum roster that other clubs may be envious of, but they are yet to win anything.

A loss of leadership, some of the younger forwards aren't coming along as quick as we'd like, older players nearing the end of their careers, still a very young half in walker who is supposed to lead us around for the next decade, a positional switch for another young dude in Sualii, and a new hooker who ive been told is not a natural no.9.

I didn't appreciate Slater's comments about apparently hearing some Roosters players talk about having the best team on paper. Thats just recycled clickbait. We are still capable of having a great season permitting injuries as we are a top heavy squad, but the loss of those players cannot be underestimated.

I had to bump this post of mine as I just found out what was the main basis for Slater to say what he did about some Roosters crowing about being the best team on paper. Apparently it came from a podcast that Brandon Smith was on where he apparently said something along those lines.

I'll take back what I said about slater somewhat but to paint the whole team as being cocky of what Smith has said on his own is still a bit rich.

As for Brandon, with all due respect mate, shut the hell up. For some reason more than usual this year (even more than when we were trying to threepeat) we are major targets for the media. Some of the article headlines are downright weird.

For example. "Gus Gould calls this an abomination of the game" ROOSTERS re-sign joseph sualii" That was the format for ninemsn.com. Totally unrelated but jammed right next to it.

Some pundits like johns prefer some players to have "no filter" but if Robbo was all about making the cheese into "a man" over homemade pizza to get his signature, this is just my 2 bob but i don't appreciate that talk especially when we are not walking the walk, round one loss to eventual wooden spooners or not.

This club needs to circle the wagons and go about their business of winning games, and celebrate on GF night.

Don't make me regret your signing Brandon, I was and still am a huge fan of Sam Verills.

Just my two bob anyway. Make me eat my words. Please.

Don't go around firing up the opposition.

[redwhiteblue]

Well said.

It's all media who drive this shit, especially News Ltd (whose mastheads are dying, and who rely on sensationalism and trash to attract eyeballs).

There just so happens to be a lot of dumb low IQ league fans out there who are easily manipulated by their nonsense and lap it up.

The Rabbitohs are a wealthier club than the Roosters, yet the average dunce on the street reckons they are the hard-done by battlers from working class Redfern.

I always used to point out the Rabbitohs boat often moored at Rose Bay. Their chairman has lived here for years and Crowe bought his house down the road too, plus the Burgesses threw their Christmas parties at Watsons Bay..

Same with Penrith...all have McMansions, multiple cars, huge TVs, actual backyards..room for a swimming pool and a pony as Mrs Bucket would say...