2013 or 2014?

[Johnny Tobin]

Is this side more like the 2013 side or the 2014 side.

On the face of it we are all happy with how it's going and the defence (apart from the last couple of weeks) seems to indicate this side is more like the 2013 side.

They are certainly a happier camp this season. You definitely get the feeling they are building.

But the feeling that "if they get it together we will win the comp" certainly makes me feel more like I did last season than in 2013.

We all know that in the end they didn't get it together and they totally blew the best chance any side has had to go back to back since it last happened.

I really hope that this season will not be another case of "what if" because our premiership window may not extend to next season (or rather, if we do win it next season it will be because the other sides are weak rather than us being strong).

Just like last season, it's there for us. We just have to take it.

[Thirteen]

I think 2014.
Despite minor premiership last year, we played very average footy all year. Just like this year we are also playing average footy, yet somehow we may finish first.
It's a new competition once the semis start so hopefully we can finally play some decent 80 minute football.
In 2013 we played many great games. This year and last year we have barely played good halves of football.
Most of our players have the big game experience which is a big advantage over the other top sides. The comp is ours to lose. Nobody can beat us if we want it.

[Danish]

Much more 2014 than 2013 IMO, if only because the 2013 side was just so dominant that in my eyes I could see we would win the premiership months in advance. We had an aura about us that season, it was truly the greatest Rooster season I've ever witnessed with my own eyes.

I do think that the team is a lot more positive this last 4-6 weeks though than at any stage during 2014. The win against the bulldogs particularly felt like a 2013 victory (everything going against us, but then pulled it out of the fire). Even last week was a game I think we would have lost in 2014, but were able to arrest the knights momentum by cutting out of errors.

I have a much better feeling this year of us winning the title than last year, but it is not a forgone conclusion like in 2013

[Johnny Tobin]

I think 2014.
Despite minor premiership last year, we played very average footy all year. Just like this year we are also playing average footy, yet somehow we may finish first.
It's a new competition once the semis start so hopefully we can finally play some decent 80 minute football.
In 2013 we played many great games. This year and last year we have barely played good halves of football.
Most of our players have the big game experience which is a big advantage over the other top sides. The comp is ours to lose. Nobody can beat us if we want it.

That's a good point.

I have half a dozen games stored on my Foxtel Hard Drive from 2013 - and nothing since.

[BUDDY]

I think the 2013 team was the best team arguably this century.
If we kept the same team for the next two years then I think we could match that as players like Napa, Evans, SST, Liu, SoH mature and RTS getting even better but the latter will spoil that.
But I think the comp is weaker this year than it was in 2013 and we are probably looking better than what we really are but we have just as big a chance of winning it.
I still think we are a huge hope over the next couple of years. RTS has been great but we are not a one man team and we will still have the best forward pack in the comp, a slick backline and the best bench.

[Tommy Smith]

Definitely more like 2014.

The 2013 side would have kept the Knights to nil. That team had six clean sheets in a season - the most ever.

We've only had one since, albeit a few weeks ago.

I actually don't think we'll win the comp this year. We're a huge chance of course. But to me it just looks like we're going to **** it up at some point in the finals. It has that stench about it atm.

Now if we clinically paste the Broncos in two weeks then perhaps my opinion will shift.

[Samwise]

Not as good as 13 but better than 14.

I had no expectations of winning last year - the RLWC and being defending premiers just made it a bridge too far. We had 17 players in the RLWC and none of them had a proper rest & off season.

I have higher expectations this year and think it would be a real shame if we don't take it this year.

One good thing is we are not a one man team like we were in the Freddy era. I don't miss SBW either.

But we will miss Sheck and Baloney next year, so yes, the window will probably close for a couple of years after this year.

[Half time]

I feel presently as things stand that we are about in the middle of the 2013 and 2014 teams. Hopefully in the last month of the comp we can push to be closer towards the 2013 team rather than the 2014 team.

[rwbfl]

I feel it is more like a game by game proposition. When looking at the last month, I saw more similarities to the 2013 team in the Warriors and Bulldogs game (with SKD I highly doubt the doggies score 28 points, and the way we were able to come back was very impressive), but more similarities to the 2014 team in the Tigers and Knights game. I feel that we still have another level to reach - however for that to happen I feel that the return of Moa and especially SKD is imperative. The performances in the final three games will be great indicators of what to expect in the finals.

[Darkone]

Neither 2013 or 2014 Definitely like a 2015 side Nothing like the previous year, last year they were exhausted from the get go & lacked the preparation to go all the way. 2013 they were fresh & on a high. This year is completely different with off season preparations a rejuvenated bench & better depth in the forwards. Our backline is also different to last year.

[Geohood]

Neither 2013 or 2014 Definitely like a 2015 side Nothing like the previous year, last year they were exhausted from the get go & lacked the preparation to go all the way. 2013 they were fresh & on a high. This year is completely different with off season preparations a rejuvenated bench & better depth in the forwards. Our backline is also different to last year.

Bloody oath.

[bondi paul]

2015 is a well rounded team. Morale is high even though we have had drama but we had this pre finals in 2013. Our game has changed. Robbo admitted it himself by saying we tried to play a 2013 style in 2014 but took time to adjust. I am quite confident we can go all the way.The team is special and I am not saying it as being a one eyed supporter.I saw the change over a month ago.The forwards are mongrels. As long as Robbo gets our bench mentality sorted due to us being hammered by the refs when our replacements are on and Fergo improves out wide in defence so not to leave the hipster stranded on his wing we will be fine.

[Johnny Tobin]

2015 is a well rounded team. Morale is high even though we have had drama but we had this pre finals in 2013. Our game has changed. Robbo admitted it himself by saying we tried to play a 2013 style in 2014 but took time to adjust. I am quite confident we can go all the way.The team is special and I am not saying it as being a one eyed supporter.I saw the change over a month ago.The forwards are mongrels. As long as Robbo gets our bench mentality sorted due to us being hammered by the refs when our replacements are on and Fergo improves out wide in defence so not to leave the hipster stranded on his wing we will be fine.

Not expecting a return from SKD mate?

Unless he is the hipster you refer to.

[JAF]

I agree that we are a hybrid of 2013/2014. One positive this year compared to last year is that we are now finishing the games stronger, whereas we tended to fade in 2014.
Once we get our defence back in order, then the sky is the limit!
Sit back and enjoy the ride!

[Halcro]

I think 2014.
Despite minor premiership last year, we played very average footy all year. Just like this year we are also playing average footy, yet somehow we may finish first.
It's a new competition once the semis start so hopefully we can finally play some decent 80 minute football.
In 2013 we played many great games. This year and last year we have barely played good halves of football.
Most of our players have the big game experience which is a big advantage over the other top sides. The comp is ours to lose. Nobody can beat us if we want it.

THIS.....