Again 2002

[Bruce Pickett]

I recently posted that only ONE team has won the GF being outside the top 4 (or 3 in the top 5 system).

I was wrong.

Kind of....

The 2002 Roosters defied the odds as well.

Although we stumbled into the top 4 by 1 point, we weren't given a break despite winning the first final game. We then beat the defending premiers (Newcastle), then the 2000 premiers Brisbane in the preliminary final, before the big one against the Worriers in the following week. All in consecutive weeks. Not one break along the way. No wonder we were flat in the first half....

We also lost 4 out of the first 5 that season. We also won 5 in a row before the finals. Our points conceded were trending down as well along the way. Our defence with Sticky's gang tackling tactics with Morely, Crocker, Cuzak, Fitzy and Ricko laid the foundation for the historic win. But if we were to be honest, it was a copy of the 80's Dogs gang tackling tactics.

It was 9 in a row to win it, in 9 consecutive weeks. Sound familiar? I still have the DT clippings which has Sticky saying that if we had to play one more week, we wouldn't have made it. We played with half the side busted, in particular Ricko and Mullins. They were all banged up and stuck together by a band aid. This year, we also need to win 9 in a row to win it.

With all the mid season suspensions and players being out due to injury, our 2023 boys seem a bit fresher than their 02 counterparts.

Oh, and guess who our first finals opponents in 2002 were?

If Robbo wants to 'theme-ize' our finals campaign, he could do worse than make it '2002 again!'

Lets go Easts!

[The Marshall]

Ominous

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I recently posted that only ONE team has won the GF being outside the top 4 (or 3 in the top 5 system).

I was wrong.

Kind of....

The 2002 Roosters defied the odds as well.

Although we stumbled into the top 4 by 1 point, we weren't given a break despite winning the first final game. We then beat the defending premiers (Newcastle), then the 2000 premiers Brisbane in the preliminary final, before the big one against the Worriers in the following week. All in consecutive weeks. Not one break along the way. No wonder we were flat in the first half....

We also lost 4 out of the first 5 that season. We also won 5 in a row before the finals. Our points conceded were trending down as well along the way. Our defence with Sticky's gang tackling tactics with Morely, Crocker, Cuzak, Fitzy and Ricko laid the foundation for the historic win. But if we were to be honest, it was a copy of the 80's Dogs gang tackling tactics.

It was 9 in a row to win it, in 9 consecutive weeks. Sound familiar? I still have the DT clippings which has Sticky saying that if we had to play one more week, we wouldn't have made it. We played with half the side busted, in particular Ricko and Mullins. They were all banged up and stuck together by a band aid. This year, we also need to win 9 in a row to win it.

With all the mid season suspensions and players being out due to injury, our 2023 boys seem a bit fresher than their 02 counterparts.

Oh, and guess who our first finals opponents in 2002 were?

If Robbo wants to 'theme-ize' our finals campaign, he could do worse than make it '2002 again!'

Lets go Easts!

Very interesting Brucey, some definite paralells.

On an even more positive note for the current team, I think we have been least hit by key injuries this year compared to other recent years.

[Brick]

I was thinking exactly the same thing.
To me, our current situation is very reminiscent of our end of season run to the 2002 premiership.
That year we were also down one of our first choice starting backs for the first 3 weeks of the finals. Shannon Hegarty was out injured and replaced splendidly by Todd Byrne until the Grand Final.
Kind of similar to having Tupou out and Pauga in at the moment.
I’d forgotten who we played in the first week of the finals in 2002 until your post reminded me!
May the 2002 vibes continue.

[mightyrooster]

Love it. But I’m just taking it one game at a time and trying not to think too far ahead.

[Bruce Pickett]

Very interesting Brucey, some definite paralells.

On an even more positive note for the current team, I think we have been least hit by key injuries this year compared to other recent years.

Coach, we played strong done good that year. This year, we'll play stronger and do gooder.

[Bruce Pickett]

Love it. But I’m just taking it one game at a time and trying not to think too far ahead.

Mighty, that's the way to go. OAAT. One at a time.

[Bansai Pipeline]

The winning White!

I’ve never seen a run of form like that though. We were ferocious. You just knew we were going to beat teams. A strange feeling.

Kind of felt it before the Melbourne GF too for some reason.

[Rocky Rhodes]

Interesting....

If only we had Ricky Stuart back instead of Trobbo..

Different system back then too, 4th played 5th i.e Roosters played the sharks BUT that game wasn't a knockout.
We beat the sharks but the sharks also played in the other preliminary final (they lost to Warriors)
So it was only 3 must win games, not 4.
Sorry to poop the party.

[Brick]

Interesting....

If only we had Ricky Stuart back instead of Trobbo..

Different system back then too, 4th played 5th i.e Roosters played the sharks BUT that game wasn't a knockout.
We beat the sharks but the sharks also played in the other preliminary final (they lost to Warriors)
So it was only 3 must win games, not 4.
Sorry to poop the party.

The quirk of the McIntyre system was that the order of the games in week 1 of the finals added to the “drama.”

4th vs 5th was always the first game so that the loser wouldn’t know if they were eliminated until at minimum 2 of the 3 other games were played,

6th and 8th also ended up losing so the Sharks survived to week 2.

So in retrospect, you’re right. The 2002 game wasn’t technically a “knockout” as you say, but it could’ve been. The only only way to control your own destiny was to win.

I guess it doesn’t matter whether the party is pooped or not. I just hope we keep winning lol .

[Hawkeye]

Back in 2002, similarly our first semi was against Sharks which we won well !

[Thirteen]

Loving this thread.

[Bruce Pickett]

Interesting....

If only we had Ricky Stuart back instead of Trobbo..

Different system back then too, 4th played 5th i.e Roosters played the sharks BUT that game wasn't a knockout.
We beat the sharks but the sharks also played in the other preliminary final (they lost to Warriors)
So it was only 3 must win games, not 4.
Sorry to poop the party.

Rocky Rhodes Scholar, you only did a half uncomfortable poop. Yes, the Nulla game wasn't sudden death and we had a second bite, but this doesn't change the fact that we did play (and win) 4 in a row in the finals that year, which is what we wouldve needéd to do if we came 8th. Worriers (1st) and Brisbane (3rd) got the week off. Funny system the Mcintyre...

[Headless Chook]

I was thinking exactly the same thing.
To me, our current situation is very reminiscent of our end of season run to the 2002 premiership.
That year we were also down one of our first choice starting backs for the first 3 weeks of the finals. Shannon Hegarty was out injured and replaced splendidly by Todd Byrne until the Grand Final.
Kind of similar to having Tupou out and Pauga in at the moment.
I’d forgotten who we played in the first week of the finals in 2002 until your post reminded me!
May the 2002 vibes continue.

Hegarty actually came back for the prelim against Brisbane. Still remember him scooping up a cross field kick by the Broncos which looked likely to end in a try in the dying minutes.

[ism22]

IMO people focus too much on what's happened historically and assume there's some sorta hard barrier. A little bit like the old 'nobody can come back after having 50 points put on them'.

My only reaction is that clearly the Riff, Broncos and Storm are the best teams this season. For us to win a GF we will probably have to beat all 3 of them in a row without Toops and JWH. Like a tennis grand slam... your draw always seems easier when you're world #1 because you're better than everybody.

I don't think the Wah's are a better chance than us despite them being in the 4. If anything their top-4 finish is a complete bust because they've now gotta beat the Riff in... Penrith. Whereas the Sharks finished below them and got to play at some garbage dump that seats less people than my local cricket ground's grassy hill when the local clubs are doing their annual best Indian club v best Pakistani club grudge match. Only difference is that my local public park has better grass and stands :P

Wayne Bennett's farking whinging about losing to Parramatta when they went on a red hot streak (then lost to the cheating Drizz anyway) got us a shyte system that makes no sense. However IMO the biggest factor in winning is how well your team's performing. The fact we have serious doubts about beating Pemriff, Ponies & Drizz says it all.

We're an outside chance this season but as a fan I will always back us to get the job done. Let the opposition fans do the doubtin'. FWIW Bloke in a Bar isn't confident that Brisbane would beat us and he's a mad Brissy fan. If we make the preliminary and Toops returns then it's game on. It'd also be great for JWH as the more we play, the less weeks he'll miss next year. Caaaarn, get 'im to Vegas!!!