If you are looking for some sort of measure of the effects of Origin footy, Friday night’s match at Brookvale should show plenty.
The general level of anticipation and expectation seems to be lacking for a clash that deserves an intense build-up.
Then we hear stories of players battling injuries or fatigue from rep games, which lowers the tone and in some matches lowers the standard of play too.
Inside their camps, the Roosters and Eagles are getting ready and even the Origin guys would be starting to think back to their recent clashes, especially last season’s huge grand final. The coaches will certainly be on their toes, gauging which guys are really up for it – maybe the younger fellas – and who might still be battling the post-rep game blues.
To read more Brian Smith, outside The Roar, check out his website SmithySpeaks.
What about the possible match-ups from the veteran number 1s, or the halfbacks, with Daly Cherry-Evans trying to regain full fitness, while Mitchell Pearce tries to regain respect and the attention of Laurie Daley.
The hookers is another great battle, with two of the toughest, hard-working, almost totally error-free players in the NRL. The physical madness of both forward packs is scary. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s slippery feet versus giant Jorge Taufua is a classic mismatch both ways.
Wouldn’t it be great to see them all fit and firing? Everyone involved deserves better than this sort of stuttered preparation. Most of all, the NRL competition deserves better than this period of disruption which is just unfair in so many ways.
I know Origin is bigger than Texas and it generates huge numbers for ratings, which converts to advertising dollars, which sets up a great payday for our game. But what we don’t know and haven’t known now for decades is just how much better the NRL competition could be without this massive disruption.
Wouldn’t you like to what levels our crowds might get to, how intense the midseason matches could be with every player – including the best in our sport – focussed totally on making the playoffs, top four, getting to the grand final, and winning the comp?
Regardless, I love watching these two teams play as they are both so physical. Manly has a core of ruthless campaigners who can really turn up the intensity. The Roosters can go with that on the back of the many super athletes in their line-up. The tri-colours might shade their opposites for speed, but Manly showed they can play a style of footy the Roosters are uncomfortable matching in the two teams’ Round 4 clash.
The stats from that 8-0 victory showed just how much simple but effective passing unsettled the Roosters’ defensive line. The Eagles first set of possession started from their own 20 with a scrum. They shifted the ball three passes wide immediately, and also included another shift play in that set. So it went for the match.
Manly had many little plays with two or three passes throughout the 80 minutes, continuing to make metres quite easily. They found shift plays made that awesome pack dressed in red, white and blue move sideways and backwards plenty and they couldn’t then get on the front foot as they love to do.
The Roosters’ numbers show thy have started to find a little more enterprise in their attack, even in their own half, as the season has progressed. Perhaps they will try the same tactic against the skilful Eagles?
Have you noticed Melbourne has made a massive change in attacking style since they worked out what best suits this particular Storm team? Smart coaching.
I can’t wait for Friday night’s Brookvale blockbuster. It could be so much bigger in a promotional sense if we had a different schedule, but our players and coaches are so professional we might still get an extraordinary game of footy.
Ironically, Manly’s home field might work against them. Brooky is easily the worst surface in NRL these days and with a bit of winter dew, as well as heavy, uneven ground, that might just suit those Roosters.
But who cares if they really rip in and turn it on – it will be a beauty!
BCH
Guest
I'm watching last year's GF - much more entertaining than a round 4 clash me thinks
Pot Stirrer
Guest
the only reason Manly has been the best team in the last decade is becuase of Stephan Dank,
Sam
Guest
The Roosters juniors I have listed have been with with the club since at least SG Ball, which to me seems a reasonable point to count them as juniors. Dessie, you're right. I forgot O'Meley and maybe a couple more, I think Nate came from the dogs in 07. 06 maybe? Dunno, it's hard to recall...
Dessie
Guest
And they have already bought some guy to replace Mortimer from UK. Shayne hayne will get what he deserves from the faithful.
Dessie
Guest
Always mate. Success breeds hatred
john badseed
Guest
Are Easts the place to be? How else to explain their player payments this year. Hey lets go to the rorters for half our asking price. 2015 Player Movements 2015 Gains: None 2015 Losses: Daniel Mortimer (Gold Coast Titans), Sonny Bill Williams (Rugby union) Re-Signed: Tyler Cornish (2016), Kane Evans (2017), Sam Moa (2016) Off Contract 2014: Saulala Houma, Kurt Kara, Heath L'Estrange, Anthony Minichiello, Tautau Moga, Paul Rokolati, Kem Seru 2015 Coach: Trent Robinson 2015 Depth Chart FB CE WI FE HB PR HK SR LK 1 4 3 2 3 7 1 5 0 Total Contracted Players: 26 Players 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 AUBUSSON, Mitchell $300K $300K $300K CASTY, Remi ✔ ✔ CORDNER, Boyd (vc) ✔ ✔ ✔ CORNISH, Tyler ✔ ✔ ✔ EVANS, Kane ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ FRIEND, Jake (vc) ✔ ✔ GUERRA, Aidan ✔ ✔ HASTINGS, Jackson ✔ ✔ ✔ HOUMA, Saulala ? JENNINGS, Michael $500K $500K $500K KARA, Kurt ? KENNY-DOWALL, Shaun $350K $350K L'ESTRANGE, Heath ✔ LANGI, Samisoni ? ? LIU, Isaac ? ? MACDONALD, Nene ? ? ? MALONEY, James ✔ ✔ MARTIN, Rhyse ✔ ✔ MEEHAN, Willis ? ? ? MINICHIELLO, Anthony (c) ✔ MOA, Sam ✔ ✔ ✔ MOGA, Tautau ✔ NAPA, Dylan ? ? NUUAUSALA, Frank-Paul ✔ ✔ PEARCE, Mitchell (vc) ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ REUBEN, Jonathon ✔ ✔ ROKOLATI, Paul ? SERU, Kem ✔ SIEJKA, Jack ? ? TAUKEIAHO, Siosiua ✔ ✔ TUIVASA-SHECK, Roger ✔ ✔ ✔ TUPOU, Daniel ✔ ✔ WAEREA-HARGREAVES, Jared (vc) ✔ ✔ WILLIAMS, Sonny Bill ✔ Coach 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 ROBINSON, Trent ✔ ✔ Read more: http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/rugby-league/teams/sydney-roosters/#ixzz35kEqL0iS
john badseed
Guest
Just to start another thread…are the Silvertails still the most hated team in the NineRL?
john badseed
Guest
Mini's from Liverpool. Pearce from North Shore. Jake friend playing for the Blues soon?
Dessie
Guest
Amen brother
Dessie
Guest
You can see Shayne hayne next to pearce! All you've shown us is a picture of hacks who won nothing. Bought not breed Rorters not champions. Manly real pride of the league. Also if I could upload pics from my phone id have a nice one for your collection muzz. Enjoy the game boys
john badseed
Guest
EJ, how good was the '97, Toovs stomping steroids GF. Not to mention the '07 slight oversight in player payments GF. Not to forget the $hayme's masterpiece last year. Sea Eagles mate…never forgive, never forget.
john badseed
Guest
Thought nine had no creative people on the payroll. This proved me wrong…the editing is sensational.
Dessie
Guest
EJ your not a real manly fan you never have been. Ever. Enjoy the game buddy its gonna be a cracker
Dessie
Guest
Thank you for the point form. I'm sure there are more than the players you have mentioned o meley comes to.mind, nate myles maybe? Not sure I do know that in that period we have won two premierships and have been the most dominant team reaching the finals 9 years in a row. Roosters 2012 13th. 2009 the spoon. Manly have never won the wooden spoon... Ever!
Muzz
Guest
God i love this game! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb0miramk6U
Dessie
Guest
Not the best... But we didn't get the spoon ;) how'd the roosters go in 09?
john badseed
Guest
Busy re-building after saving League from Uncle Rupe. Pity Arko went to the trouble now that Gyng has bought the Game and rorted it as Rupe tried to do. How about Easts in that period? Were they backdooring everyone who tried to save League's soul?
eagleJack
Guest
Good article. Terrible comments section. Should be a cracking game!
KB
Guest
I love this site...Churchill medalist Shayne? ..by the way,how did manly go between 2000-2004?
john badseed
Guest
Muzz- your second post is the best comment I've heard from a rorters supporter yet. Good ole Muzz and Kraven Backhander. Only two left to face the fact that their benefactors are Double Bay wide boys. You can't buy me off private school pimps! Ps If you follow your team I'll be wearing an Easts jersey with Churchill Medalist $hayne on the back.