I cannot see the Roosters missing the grand final and if their defence stays in order, they’ll win the title no matter who they play.
They are very much the Real Deal as evidenced by their gritty 4-0 result over a fiercely committed Manly last Saturday night.
I went to that game and came away convinced I had seen the 2013 premiers.
Their attack was a little off-colour against the Sea Eagles but their defence – wow! It was a brick wall painted red, white and blue and I don’t think we’ve witnessed anything quite like it for 10 years, maybe more.
Manly made more metres with the ball, more line-breaks, had the better of the penalty count as well as the sets completion rate but couldn’t notch a solitary point.
The Roosters showed what sort of team they have become under Coach of the Year Trent Robinson. They scramble brilliantly if there has been even the slightest breach. Their line speed, frightening physicality and all-round commitment to the cause is amazing.
Manly, to be fair, weren’t far behind but they won’t have the luxury of a two week break between finals and you’d think they’ll struggle to sustain another battering.
They will get try merchant Brett Stewart back from injury but it might not be enough. Cronulla is their next opponent and they have the forward pack to make things just as physical.
As I see it, the only way the Roosters won’t finish as premiers is if something untoward happens to Sonny Bill Williams.
I know many Roarers think he is a media ‘darling’ but the effect he is having on this outfit is extraordinary. He has helped bring about a major culture change at the Bondi Junction club – every player seems to be more professional since he (and coach Robinson) came on board.
Over the weekend, I had a chat with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves about Sonny Bill Williams. He told me the Sonny Bill was a freakish trainer who had inspired every player in the club to strive for that ‘something extra.’
Jared said on a rostered day off last week, Sonny Bill Williams took himself to a gym for 15 three-minute rounds in the boxing ring. That’s above (and way beyond) the call of duty, but he is that type of athlete, that sort of person. A perfectionist, nothing less.
Much has been said about the Cowboys’ dramatic exit from the finals series, due largely to that seven point try by the Sharks’ Beau Ryan.
All I can really add is the thought that only good can come from this horrendous mistake by the officials involved.
We are now virtually assured that there will be an extra careful tackle count made by the refs in the remaining finals games, and that such a fiasco won’t taint the upcoming grand final.
I feel really sorry for the Cowboys who feel they have been dudded by the match officials in finals two years in a row. I am also disappointed their exciting run ended in such fashion and that Matty Bowen, in particular, had to leave the NRL on such frustrating terms.
What a fabulous player, what a wonderful advertisement for our game he has been!
Before closing, here are a couple more thoughts on the weekend action.
My player of the weekend
Jamie Lyon (Manly). The best centre on the planet. The way he repeatedly attracted defenders before sending The Wolfman away last Saturday was 10 out of 10.
The unsung hero
Sharks’ hooker John Morris hardly gets any write-ups but it was his magnificent tackle on Kane Linnett in the dying moments saved Cronulla’s season. It was simply superb for him to be in position to prevent that last-gasp try.
Dark horse team
Newcastle played terrific finals football to knock the error-riddled Bulldogs out of contention. I give them a huge chance of upsetting the Storm if they repeat that effort.
G-Money
Guest
If 70% of Reynolds' try assists come from kicks, how could none of them come from passes? Is there another way to assist in scoring tries? Jedi Mind Trick?
G-Money
Guest
The best attacking side is the Storm IMO. The Roosters have racked up some big wins over lowly sides but total points scored is just one metric for measuring attacking ability. For example, Cowboys have been big scorers in the regular season but have shown their attack lacks variety and they run out of ideas in big games. The Storm are easily the best side at coming up with tries when they need them, and capitalising on limited opportunities - I have lost count of the number of games where they have been dominated in every stat except "tries scored", and it always seems the way they score a decisive try is different every time. This is the measure of a great attacking side, I think - execution and variety. I agree the Souths attack is overrated, it'll take some big play from Inglis and Burgess if they are to win the title because a lot of their backline movements, especially left to right passing, can be very slow and sluggish. For a top side, a lot of their tries do seem to come from kicks and barge overs! I do agree the Roosters are the best defensive side, though. Better, though not as consistent, than the Dragons under Bennett. Don't be surprised if they win the premiership but fail to score ten points in either of their remaining games!
Wozza
Guest
What a stupid statement
Dr Yes
Guest
Actually, would be 5 wins in a year. Roosters beat Manly 20-4 in preseaon trial 1. So they've already beaten them 4 times.
Dr Yes
Guest
Seriously huge numbers for running metres and number of passes from Manly backs. Highest of any game of the year, by a big margin (30%). They tried to win the game through backline play. And all of their 1-7 can really run and pass (prob best in comp, there). Hiku: 300m. Average of all 1-7: 150m. Many games would have a couple of backs above 100m, and rest below. Of course, when the forwards were involved, there were brutal collisions. Toughest of the year. Big charges, big defence. The errors only came from brutal hits and complete exhaustion, due to the high level of play. The miracle of the game was that the score was so low, given the intensity of forward charges, the amount of running and passing. Normally, the style of play would result in high scores. But it was #1 & #2 in defence. In other words, you've got it wrong and just don't understand what went on.
Dr Yes
Guest
SBW wants to play Japan Rugby + also box, just like last year. Means he triples his salary, but more importantly for him, means he can win titles in big sports all around the globe. He's on his way to world record best results of any footy player/boxer. After next year he can switch to Rugby for another Super title / WC crack. The only way he can do this is to declare no agreement with any NRL team until the start of next year. Antiquated NRL rules to blame. Silly seeing the articles quoting Smith: "we must keep Sonny...". He just needs to allow him to play multiple sports, without it causing ridiculous, unfair impact on salary cap.
Dr Yes
Guest
You have a small point. But NFL is pure contact and collision. It's also the ultimate anaerobic sport - with big rests and full team setup before the next team-level collision. NRL and AFL are far more aerobic, with energy continuously expended over 80min or 2hr. A small number of collisions match NFL intensity, the majority are much lesser. Results of the past 100 years of players have shown: big problems with ex-NFL players (equivalent to boxers), more isolated problems with NRL & AFL players (the heaviest collision contesters).
Dr Yes
Guest
The Bunnies are #4 in attack. Plus: attack through forward roll & dummy-half runs; halves kicking; Inglis. Minus: statistically, their halves' passing game is closer to bottom of table than the top. Reynolds is one ahead of Pearce in Try Assists (70% from kick), but doesn't feature at all in Linebreak Assists / Try Assists (from pass). Roosters/Manly/Storm halves are all 100% ahead of Rabbits on that. The above is a real strength for plowing through the home-and-away rounds (especially forward attack & kick), but it turns into a real weakness when you hit the semis and teams focus to specifically defend against this play. Attacking kicks are far more difficult in semis when every defender is fully turned on and full of energy. Teams are belting in defence until they win or can't stand anymore, which acts towards nullifying bunnies charge + dummy-half run. Besides, alot of the remaining packs are either bigger, or as big + more mobile.
Dr Yes
Guest
+1
Dylan
Roar Pro
You must not have watch the game or something des right hand. Manly played a great game but were just that bit more out classed on the night. Both teams had a defence that was unbreakable but the fact is the Rooster had more penalties against, less ball, less line breaks and less meters and still scored the only try. Manly ran out of ideas. They threw everything they had at the Chooks and were still unable to make anything out of it. I dont understand how you can call it a fluke. Considering that they also lost two other games to the Roosters this year, it just prove that the better team won again. I cant wait to see your presious Manly get knocked out this weekend against the Sharks just so I can hear all of your excuses as to how the Sharks got lucky.
DMW
Guest
As a Roosters supporter I'll just say this. I hope your team find a way past the Sharks and then Rabbits and eventually meet the Roosters in the GF. Beating Manly four times in a season will ensure history records yet another milestone for the Roosters and that's what will be remembered... 0/4. Best of luck Friday.
JP Pelosi
Expert
Steve really like your dark horse pick. I've been watching Newcastle lately and they seem capable of knocking off the better teams on their day.
The eye
Guest
If I was a rooster supporter I'd mostly be worried about their choke factor..manly and storm seasoned ,and Souths got their lesson last year so will be ready...Pearce and Maloney have been the Storms bunnies all year,why will that suddenly change next week ?
Radelaide
Guest
I'm still not going to count out the storm until they are out.
john badseed
Guest
Just wanna keep the Qld lovies happy. Besides they'd get 100k to suncorp and spread the game around the world. If the cows weren't robbed by the NSWRL they would have won the GF by 40 points against those propped up sydney basket cases.
mushi
Roar Guru
sorry Tommy, just saw you've posted this everywhere congrats on discovering control V
mushi
Roar Guru
Tommy!
mushi
Roar Guru
Um thanks? it's just that I didn't say truly shameful or anything about concussions.
oikee
Guest
R-U-O-K, poor bugger his memory is gone,.
oikee
Guest
Maybe you need looked at, thats twice now you have told everyone this, above as well. R-U-O-K, i had to ask, hehe