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Why it's too early to write off the Sydney Roosters

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has copped a huge fine for his spray at the NRL's refs - but he was right about one thing. (Image: AAP)
Roar Guru
18th April, 2016
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As we head into Round 8 of the 2016 NRL season, defending minor premiers the Sydney Roosters find themselves alone at the foot of the ladder.

It represents a massively unexpected change in fortune for Trent Robinson’s team who have won the last three minor premierships as well as taking out the major silverware in 2013.

In their first seven games, the Roosters have looked the most vulnerable side in the competition. The Eastern Suburbs-based foundation club have taken home maximum points just once this season, care of a Round 6 upset victory over fierce rivals South Sydney.

However, for all of their lack of form, the boys from Bondi find themselves just two wins outside a spot in the eight.

That being said, it would be unwise for anyone to write off a side who boasts the experience of the Roosters, despite a number of unfavourable decisions in the offseason. Easts are now without premiership stars and fan favourites Michael Jennings and James Maloney.

Add to that the off-field controversies that saw Mitchell Pearce sidelined as well as untimely injuries to perhaps their two best forwards in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Boyd Cordner, and we obviously see a weakened side take to the field in the opening few rounds of the 2016 campaign.

The Roosters’ form has been absolutely rubbish, there’s no denying that. However, an examination of the areas in which they have specifically struggled suggests that the returns of their sidelined stars could see them firing on all cylinders again in the not too distant future.

Heading into the season with a halves pairing both born in 1996 was always going to be a headache for coach Trent Robinson. The inexperience and lack of creativity yielded by youngsters Jackson Hastings and Jayden Nikorima has seen the Roosters fail to pile on the points when needed.

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It is worth recognising however that the return of former co-captain Mitchell Pearce in Round 9 has the ability to completely transform the roles of both young halves as well as the attacking structure of the entire team.

Pearce’s experience and creativity could see a re-ignition of their freescoring ways from years gone by, especially as Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Blake Ferguson, Daniel Tupou and Latrell Mitchell lurk dangerously in the back line.

Mitchell has been a big find for the Chooks already in 2016, with the 18-year-old fullback prodigy already crossing the line for three tries in his opening seven matches. He will only get better as the season goes on.

The Roosters’ issues haven’t sat wholly within with their offence however, their defence has leaked the second most points of any side in 2016. Only the 15th placed Knights have shelled more points than the 187 let in by the Roosters.

Having said that, the issue lies within a defencive unit who are used to relying upon the rock solid contributions of the likes of Mitchell Pearce, who is regarded as one of the finest defencive halfbacks in the NRL, as well as big men Waerea-Hargreaves and Cordner.

All three stand to return to action within the next three weeks and could have a massive impact in both attack and defence for the current wooden spooners.

Trent Robinson has been one of the most successful coaches in the entirety of the NRL since joining the Eastern Suburbs side in 2013. He will be aware of the need to resist panic and continue working with his side towards getting back into the upper echelon of the NRL ladder.

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The returns of representative trio Pearce, Waerea-Hargreaves and Cordner will play a big role in the Roosters’ search for a restoration of past glories in 2016. It isn’t all that difficult to bridge a two game gap, and the Roosters boast a side more than capable of doing it.

Write them off at your own peril.

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