It is Round 18 and so far it has been a forgettable season for the Sydney Roosters. I will probably remember two things about the Chooks in 2012.
The first was that hail mary grubber by Boyd Cordner that led to the miracle Anthony Minichiello try in the dying seconds of the match against the Souths.
Although it was the opening round and not much was at stake, it might have been the most dramatic thing I have witnessed in my life, mainly because I was at the match. I remember losing my mind after realising my team had somehow pulled out an improbable win.
I remember looking at my mate’s dad, a long time Rabbitohs supporter. Watching his jaw drop was priceless.
The other thing I will remember is the rumours all season that they may be signing Sonny Bill Williams in 2013.
I think more than any other reason, including the whole Carney drama, this has led to the Roosters under performing. When you think about the merit of a new signing, you generally consider whether the acquisition is value adding.
Sonny Bill Williams is not exactly a franchise-changing player. For one thing, he can’t kick, he is not a playmaker: he is a second-rower. He is no doubt a great athlete and a great runner of the ball and everyone, by now, should have already seen Youtube footage of those offloads.
I am actually a big fan of SBW, I genuinely believe he is an once in a generation athlete that can succeed in any sport and that any NRL team would feel lucky to have him in their squad, even the Bulldogs. But, and it is a seven figure but, he comes with a very expensive price tag.
In fact, I don’t think I can come up with any current second-rower who can justify his expected salary. He was offered more than one million dollars per season to play in Japan. There is no chance the Roosters can afford anything close to that amount, due to the salary cap.
But in recent months, the Roosters have frantically cleared their cap space.
They shipped the captain, Braith Anasta to the Wests Tigers. Although arguably this is to make room for James Maloney, in reality the move has had a significant impact on team morale. Recently, they released long time winger, Sam Perrett, who has been in Bondi for eight years.
Fans would remember Perrett by his relentless runs out of dummy half and taking more hit-ups than any other player in the team. Isn’t this what SBW will be expected to do?
I am not saying SBW will not be an upgrade, but if you add a destructive runner to your squad only to take away the next best guy at the job, surely it seems that you lose as well as win.
The Roosters have a young forward pack that has a lot of potential. Second-rowers Frank-Paul Nuuausala, Mose Masoe, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are all crowd favourites. They are big units that dish out big hits and are solid players that are above average league standards.
With these guys around, is there really a need to get SBW? Shouldn’t the club focus on re-signing these guys instead?
Pasta riki mete
Guest
First off all play SBW out in the centres any fool can see that's where he is strongest at with his off loads. bRian smith needs to build his team around him and allow his players to play open foot ball as he's holding back talent.SBW will put bums on seats so yes the rosters need him for that fact. I my self a broncos supporter would go watch SBW play he's an awesome athlete who put the big boys in there place and made them wake up to them selves showing that you can't continue to restrain people from making money from sponsors and lie to the media about players. Go for it SBW and hope you head back in 2014 to play ifor the ABS in the next world cup.
Rocky
Guest
I think your comparing an SBW signing to a Beckham signing. I just hope our forwards can start working on the 1% stuff. I think we have too many glory boys and not enough hard workers. I hope having SBW will make our forwards leave the glory to him and work harder in the tackle, slowing down opposition play the balls and speeding up ours.
HYWEL
Guest
Sbw will pay for himself,I think hw will put atleast another 5000 on the roosters attendance that just with roosters fans, add another couple of 1000 on of neutrals who will come just to see sbw, then you will have the merchandise al the kids wanting sbw shirts. Yes Roosters have lot of forwards not many top notch backs i see sonny playing in the centres he will tear it right up a lot more than jamal idris is anyway ROOSTERS TEAM mini moga sbw kd leulai maloney pearce jwh friend kennedy cordner aurbosson frankiepaul 2013 premiers for sure
josh
Guest
Cheers Khoder you've earned your 12%
Dayer
Guest
If that's true, then what is he going to do because channel 10 is going to win the BID to broadcast the game. interesting isn't it?
kevin mac
Guest
totally agree. everyone is just assuming that SBW is going for the money and is being payed way too much. if SBW were after the money then he wouldn't even look twice at the roosters when he could easily get massive offers from overseas rugby. i think he he joining the roosters for just 2 primary reasons: 1) he is friends with politis & gyngell and they have probably somehow convinced him to give league a shot- if only for 1 year. 2) he wants to try and make the kiwi team and to then win the world cup with them to add another feather to his cap.
Nicholashugo
Roar Pro
if the Roosters manage to sign SBW for 500k, i will print this article out and eat it. the 2013 roosters will be exciting to watch.
Richard
Guest
At least he is less likely to need The Men of League Foundation who supports former players and their families who have fallen on hard financial times.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Nicho My "educated' guess is that the Roosters will actually get Sonny Bill for about half of what he is worth on the market because of the deal he will have with Channel 9. If that is the case, then he is a steal. The Roosters have done a great job in getting rid of the dead wood who were over priced and they have almost cleaned the cupboard - one more to go.
Dayer
Guest
NO!! He would be great at Sth Sydney with the Burgess Bros. That would guarantee a TITLE for the RABBITOHS. but besides that I see no reason why the Roosters cant have him.
KSI
Guest
The Roosters need him but the NRL don't.
Col Quinn
Guest
Guys, SBW will only be an asset to Easts if he is placed on a 3 year contract. As extraordinary athlete as he is, there is always a lag time in readapting or adapting to a different code. If SBW stays intact it will take a season for him to readjust. I understand that the rumour is he only wants a 1 year contract. This will not serve Easts. And then there is the get back that will occur. Make no mistake there will be those who will ensure that if he returns to RL, the return will be short and painful.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Great player but for the money he demands and only for 1 year, I wouldn't. You would have to get rid of players to get him and then find good replacements 12 months later
Go warriors
Guest
You have to ask the question why are the roosters the only club in the NRL trying to buy him. I think the other clubs know it would be a complete waste of money to pay that sort of money for one player when you could spend that money on buying two or three quality players that would sign for more than one year. Yes SBW may bring headlines to the club but headlines dont win you a comp.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
SBW needs money ,first ,second and third.His prime motivation self. The Roosters will still be around long after ,SBW puts up his feet.
D Maaga
Guest
Roosters need SBW more than SBW needs the Roosters.
Richard
Guest
Thats like saying does FC Barcelona need Lionel Messi (who is paid $40 million a season by the way).Let me see, bullocking runs, mesmerising offloads, massive tackles & hits,world rugby's best players,commercial pull. This guy will have the world watching rugby league & the roosters next year. What we need to do is promote the hell out of his return, get expansion teams up and ready to go so he can become the poster boy for expansion as well. Pay him what he is worth and more. His possible return will make for blockbuster encounters and it will be more exciting and challenging to see how far the Roosters can go from their dismal showings. I'm all for supporting a truly gifted, clean living athlete who brings excitement to sport whether he chooses to play for the Roosters or not.. Also, when Pearce is your half, I doubt the Roosters will be in a good position on the table, but I may be wrong.
Nicholashugo
Roar Pro
It was edited out but I called this the eastern suburbs trophy wife syndrome.
Shaun
Guest
Do the roosters really need SBW? That's like asking does a person need a Loui Vuitton bag....Of course they don't, but everyone still wants to have one.
NF
Guest
Roosters fans exist lol. There 'attendance' said otherwise.