A new attitude and a great beginning for the Roosters
Roar Guru
By Alan Nicolea, 15 Mar 2010 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- NRL, Rabbitohs, Roosters, Rugby League, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Sydney Roosters
This time last year, the Sydney Roosters produced one of the most embarrassing performances in their rich history, falling meekly to rivals the South Sydney Rabbitohs 52-12 at the SFS at the start of the 2009 NRL season.
What a difference 12 months can make.
After a horrendous 2009 season which culminated in the Roosters receiving the wooden spoon for the first time since 1966, the Bondi Junction club went through a massive transition faze which coincidently saw figures Brad Fittler, Craig Fitzgibbon, Willie Mason, Iosia Soliola and Mark O Meley leave the club.
Former Newcastle Knights boss Brian Smith was chosen to replace Fittler as coach, while Todd Carney, Phil Graham, Daniel Conn and Jared Wearea Hargreaves were recruited to help the chooks rebuild from arguably their most disastrous year both on and off the field.
Although some NRL teams predicted the Roosters to be one of the dark horses in season 2010, no one would have thought that last year’s wooden spooners could comprehensively beat a Rabbitohs side many predict to be top four material.
But upsets have been ripe for the picking so far this weekend, and yesterday’s tussle at ANZ stadium saw a revitalised Roosters outfit play some of their most impressive football in years to defeat the Rabbitohs 36-10.
Indeed not many clubs can attest to having so many playmakers in the one side, but the Roosters will no doubt be an exception after Todd Carney, Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce shone in unison to provide the chooks with an attacking edge not seen since Brad Fittler was playing for the chooks early in the millennium.
Pearce and Carney seemed to have the football on a string on occasions, provided quality service to a Roosters backline that looked dangerous with the ball in hand.
Whilst Anthony Minichiello and Sam Perrett both produced very solid performances, centre Shaun Kenny Dowall could hardly put a foot wrong in probably his best performance for the tri-colours.
The Kiwi Test player scored two tries, including a dazzling four pointer which saw him leave Rabbitohs players Rhys Wesser, Fetuli Talanoa and Colin Best in his wake while sprinting near the touchline in the second half.
Although he was solid on the wing last year, Kenn Dowall’s performance against the Rabbitohs yesterday demonstrated enough potential to suggest he could become one of the feared no.3′s in the NRL.
He has a great mixture of speed and strength, not to mention he is a dangerous presence for opposition under the high ball.
In the forwards, Queensland Origin player Nate Myles showcased why he has not missed a game for the Maroons since debuting for Mal Meninga’s men back in 2006.
One only has to look at the way Myles nearly rounded up Nathan Merritt in the second half to demonstrate how committed he was to leaving his mark against a Rabbitohs side with the so called best pack in the NRL.
Myles ended up making the most tackles out of any player on the park with 34 next to his name. Not to mention he also made 16 hit-ups for 134 metres in an inspirational performance.
It seems filling the shoes of club stalwart Craig Fitzgibbon may not be as difficult as first thought judging by Myles performance.
Indeed all of the seventeen Roosters who took to the field against the more fancied Bunnies yesterday performed their tasks with aplomb.
It was a win befitting of the club’s ‘new attitude, new beginning’ approach – a beginning that could not have started any brighter for a side which finished in Rugby League’s darkest corner last season.
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LeftArmSpinner said | March 15th 2010 @ 6:17am | Report comment
Alan, I agree. it was a very good performance. Pearce played to his potential, press coverage and breeding! Carney, for me a surpirse selection at fullback, was good. But it was the forwards who led the way to allow the backs to play.
It was also good to see Mini back on the field. Myles had a very good game and Kenny dowall, as you say, was excellent.
Yes, you will remember my strong criticism of the the roosters last season and during the off season. It is too early to eat my words and I remain of the view that Carney’s track record indicate that he has the propensity to self destruct off the field and more importantly, take the team with him.
Lets hope that the roosters are on the way back. It must also be said that the Rabbits forwards were clearly believing their own press and that their backs did not deliver.
oikee said | March 15th 2010 @ 7:42am | Report comment
How good has the footy been. Great game and looks like the Roosters will be crowing again this year. The wheels fell off Souths when Merrit dropped the ball. I still enjoyed this game. After this weekend, i think every club is on notice. Its not going to be easy.
Bring it.
alan nicolea said | March 15th 2010 @ 7:55am | Report comment
LeftArmSpinner
What impressed me the most was the way the Roosters attacked. There is so much more variety now with Pearce, Anasta and Carney working in tandem. Myles was simply inspirational. The Roosters also kept their error count low which is unheard of considering they were the worst side at keeping possession last season and have been for the past few years. Guys like Lopini Paea and Nuuasala never looked like dropping the ball and backline stars like Kenny Dowall were level headed as well but brilliant at the same time. Daniel Conn also impressed me along with Guerra who should have got a double. Did i mention Phil Graham… a great start by the chooks.
If it means anything to Rabbitohs fans, i thought Sam Burgess justified his tag as the forward to watch this season. He was their best player by far.
Oikee – it has been a sensational start to the year, there have only been two games decided by more than six points. Tonights game between the Tigers and Sea Eagles could also go down to the wire.
Brett McKay said | March 15th 2010 @ 8:12am | Report comment
Alan, I have to admit to still not seeing anything of the Roosters-Souths game yesterday, but I’m getting the impression for reading various reports that it was quite the performance for the Tricoloure (a tip of the hat to Roy & HG).
You’ve got to hand it to Brian Smith, he can turn a place around. Phil Gould’s opening line today is I’m sure a direct copy of one he wrote 2 or 3 years ago about Newcastle:
“The most important gift a coach can give his players is confidence – an unshakeable belief in themselves and each other.”
alan nicolea said | March 15th 2010 @ 9:12am | Report comment
Brett
Its only round 1 but i have never seen the Roosters function with such cohesion so early in the season. Even when Fittler was in the side, the Roosters were often scrappy in their start to the season. One can only hope it is a sign of good things to come. Can’t get ahead of myself though, the roosters credibility will be earned when they beat teams such as the Bulldogs, Dragons, Eels and Storm. Even the Tigers next week will give us a better indication of how far the chooks have come since a horror 2009 season.
M1tch said | March 15th 2010 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Its the little things that made the Roosters good yesterday, Aubs in the second row, Graham in the centers (yeh didnt do a hell of a lot) but gave chooks that spark in backline
Myles chasing..notice little sandow give up after 40-50 yesterday on SKD – I hoped Lang got to him after the game
Carney is a footy player and forgot how good he really is, well done to Brian Smith but well done to all 17 players for the Roosters
Anon said | March 16th 2010 @ 6:54am | Report comment
Any Brian Smith coached team has had problems in the finals when teams need to raise there game another level or two. Brian’s teams play at a such a high level all season that they have nothing extra to give when the big games come around.
Springs said | March 15th 2010 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Souths were let down badly by their backs. Every time they looked like scoring they would drop the ball right near the line. I can remember times when Merritt, Best, Champion and Sandow did this.
Burgess and Taylor were Souths best. Burgess dropped the ball a few times but he made a break or half break whenever he touched the ball. Taylor made some good breaks as well.
I still wonder why they brought in John Lang to coach Souths.
With the results in Round 1 I still can’t figure out anything. I thought the Dragons-Eels game was the best of the round, but for all we know both could get smashed next week and finish in the bottom 8. Souths could still be a top 4 team only the Roosters are way ahead of the pack. Who knows? I await next week…
Roosterman said | March 15th 2010 @ 11:58am | Report comment
Whilst yesterday was a great day for the Roosters, I don’t want to get too excited and start believing they’ve changed and are capable of stringing together two or more wins in a row. I’ve been a Roosters fan since 1974 and I’ve seen them at their best and at their worrying worst. But what I saw yesterday was enough to re-ignite the flame of hope that had almost gone out after last season. I saw a football side brimming with confidence and the will to win and never give up. I didn’t see the side that, in years gone by, would go into the sheds at half-time with a small lead and believe they’d done enough to win, thus putting the queue in the rack and invariably surrendering the lead in the second half. They were steely and determined and there was an air of success to them that I’ve not seen for many years. For some reason, I’ve been googling “Sydney Roosters” up to fifteen times a day for the last few months. Something has whispered to me that this could be a special year, a defining year. For the first time in many years, I care what the experts are saying about them – a victory is better when there has been hype and speculation and a huge interest from the media – and I want to know what peoples’ opinions are of my beloved team. I have noticed that most people have written them off for this season and have predicted a finish at or near the bottom of the table. Remember what I said about it being a special year? You’ll see what I mean….
simonjzw said | March 15th 2010 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
Yes well done Roosters.
But it’s a loonnngggg season…..
alan nicolea said | March 15th 2010 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
Roosterman
I share your enthusiasim. Let’s hope it is a special year.