The phrase ‘sudden downfall’ really doesn’t do justice to what 2016 was like for the boys at Bondi.
A sudden downfall is something the Rabbitohs experienced. For the Roosters to go from the minor premiers to 15th in the space of a season, is just shocking.
It really was a cause of ‘everything that could go did go wrong’ for them. From dog humping to injuries to the failing of young spine members. Turns out having a spine of three rookies isn’t going to win you too many games.
And they didn’t win too many games. With form slumps, injury problems, suspension issues and just terrible attitudes all combining into a perfect storm for the one-time heavily tipped premiership favourites.
But now it looks like everything is smooth sailing. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has a functioning knee again, Mitchell Pearce has stayed the hell away from his local RSPCA and their rookies from last year that they haven’t released have presumably grown in ability. But while everything is certainly looking up for the Chooks so far, will they have the ability?
More importantly do they have the club culture to really challenge for the premiership this year?
Strengths
This Roosters side is quite good all over the park, in fact that may be selling it short. They have a great second rower rotation with all of their second rowers good enough to start at a lot of other clubs.
The props are all quite decent, especially Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who when fit is one of the best in the game. And while I do think that a lot of their back five are incredibly overrated like Ferguson and SKD, that doesn’t mean they are bad players.
It is just a strong squad capable of winning with their forwards, their backs or their spine players.
Latrell Mitchell deserves a special mention here because he is just that, special. While if I hear someone compare him to Greg Inglis again I will shove them in a sack and beat them with a shovel, I must admit he is a great young player.
In the avalanche of talented young fullbacks cropping up over the past two years he is one of the standouts for his great running ability and natural strength. I think he was thrown into the deep end last year but this year now that there is an experienced fullback in the squad he should be fine.
Even the depth of this side is high quality. With capable players like Dale Copley, Joseph Manu, Eloni Vunakece, Paul Carter and Liam Knight all sitting on the sidelines.
Additionally while I think he is childish after what can only be described as a ‘temper tantrum’ towards referees in 2016, Trent Robinson is a wonderful coach with an excellent record.
It takes a special sort of coach to win a premiership in your first year, regardless of the squad.
Weaknesses
To put it simply the reason the Roosters were more terrible than a toothpaste-flavoured chocolate bar is because of their club culture.
2016 was not a good year for the Roosters on or off the field, with the lowlight being Mitchell Pearce humping a dog on Australia Day. Now you can argue whether or not the suspension was justified until you are blue in the face but you can’t deny it was a stupid thing to do.
In fact, if you look at their squad most of their players have had noted off-field issues which isn’t a good sign.
This attitude extended onto the field that year as well. Say what you will about Newcastle in 2016 but they were trying in a lot of their games. The Roosters just seemed to give up halfway through the season, which coincided with a form slump from a large number of their players including Aiden Guerra.
As we move towards the 2017 season, I don’t know if this has been properly addressed. The club says it has been but you know, they are a little biased.
They also happened to recruit three players with criminal convictions in Paul Carter, Liam Knight and Zane Tetevano. All things considered, I can’t trust this side to not have a negative culture again in 2017, which really hampers my enthusiasm on them.
One more negative is Luke Keary. Normally the Roosters are decent recruiters but Luke Keary is a panic buy if ever there was one. I don’t think he is good at all and for the amount they paid him.
As decent as Mitchell Pearce is I don’t think they will gel well at all. The rest of the spine is class but Keary just drags it all down.
Summary
The Roosters are in a weird spot at the moment. They have a great side and a great coach, but there are niggling little issues that makes me think that maybe they won’t do as well as they have the potential to do.
If the whole side is firing they could threaten the top four but if we get another 2016 they struggle to break out of the bottom four.
For a long time I was weighing up whether I would put the Roosters in the eight or not, but after a lot of deliberation I just can’t look past that squad. It is just too good if it stays relatively suspension and injury free and they don’t have a fiasco of a year in terms of their culture.
I think they will finish the season scraping in at eighth, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they finished as high as fourth and as low as 14th. From eighth I think they could certainly win their first finals game, but I doubt they can go further than that.
2016 Finish: 15th
Predicted 2017 Finish: eighth
Transfers
Gains: Michael Gordon, Luke Keary, Liam Knight, Zane Tetevano, Paul Carter, Mitch Cornish and Brendan Santi
Losses: Vincent Leuluai, Sam Moa, Tyler Cornish and Jackson Hastings
Full-strength team
1. Michael Gordon
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Blake Ferguson
5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
6. Luke Keary
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Jake Friend
10. Dylan Napa
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Mitchell Aubusson
13. Sio Siua Taukeiaho
14. Aiden Guerra
15. Issac Liu
16. Kane Evans
17. Ryan Matterson
Burv
Guest
"One more negative is Luke Keary. Normally the Roosters are decent recruiters but Luke Keary is a panic buy if ever there was one. I don’t think he is good at all and for the amount they paid him. As decent as Mitchell Pearce is I don’t think they will gel well at all. The rest of the spine is class but Keary just drags it all down." Well, you stuffed that one up didn't you!!!!!
Mushi
Guest
Maloney, outside of injury coverage, never ran the side. He was always off the ruck as a hole runner.
Mushi
Guest
Dry humped still ahs the word humped in it
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
To be a Top 8 team you need a decent kicking game. To be Top 4 you need a superb kicking game. The Rorters are CRAP, Top 8? not in this lifetime! Keary just can't produce a decent kicking game and Woof-Woof isn't much better.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
If you think that Keary has a "good kicking" game then you have rocks for brains, lol Souths let him go willingly because of his NON-Performance in Reynolds absence.
Keith Sheldon
Roar Guru
Luke Keary has a good kicking game? Are you talking about a different player. Think whatever wrong and deluded things you want man. But I got similar comments from Souths and Dragons fans last year when I said there team was gonna suck meaty wang and look what happened. Keary isn't good. The reason Roosters lost a bunch of games is cause of poor off field culture and on field attitude. Where do you even think the Roosters will end up? Cause I have then in 6th-8th.
ChristopherGrant
Guest
Hahha, where do I begin, funny man. The Roosters aren't top 4... No one is saying otherwise.. Keary has an atrocious kicking game... ??? Well that is news to anyone who has watched him play. As for Pearce, his kicking game isn't his weak point, Pearce is a solid player, admitted, he isn't in the same class as JT and Cronk, but his kicking isn't an issue. Pearce is a structured player, and Keary's style will compliment that with his fast , to the line, attacking style. The roosters lost many games due to game management. A lack of experience and composure. The Roosters used numerous rookies in key positions.. Not hard to see ( if you did your research ) So, the Roosters sign a Premiership winning 5/8, and an established fullback.. I'm baffled you cannot put those elements together. Do your homework or stick to soppy comedy.
Rod
Guest
My question mark on the roosters are as follows. What I saw late 2015 into the semi and all of last year. Was a coach that when put under the blow torch was showing signs of distress and it reflected on the team . Robinson he lacked composure, could be a blip on the radar. Will JWH regain size and explosiveness after the knee injury. I thought he was below par last year , which in fairness is easy to understand due to injury.Will see how he goes The team is very strong lot of depth and quality The halves, I don't believe either have Maloneys ability to run the side. Pearce is a sensational athlete with high skill level, but not a great footy brain. Keary is very much an instinctive footballer . I don't see much Footy IQ. Fullback . No one has replaced Roger. Latrell is a talent and Gordon is safe. I see a top 8 side but not a premiership winning side.
Jock Cornet
Guest
Top 4 for sure
Keith Sheldon
Roar Guru
Is someone angry that I didn't put their precious Roosters in the top 4? Keary is not a good fit for the roosters. He can run well, but his kicking game is atrocious. Did you see him play without A.Reynolds? And guess what Mitchell Pearce's weakest part of his game is? It was a dumb buy. You know how many bottom 8 teams over the years can claim that? Many. The difference between the top 4 teams and bottom 4 teams is closing the games out. I did my research, went through the games they lost and a lot of their losses were due to stupid mistakes. Did you even read my article? I mentioned their injuries in the second damn paragraph. They sucked last year, they will make the 8 this year. That simple.
ChristopherGrant
Guest
An awful assessment of the Roosters. Coupled with a base attempt at humour, regarding Pearce. In regards to Keary, he is a Premiership winning 5/8, with a sound attack and defence.. I find it hard to draw a highlighted negative on that, but, you seem to know very little about this club to begin with. As for the Roosters "giving up" halfway through the year.. The Roosters lost 8 games by less than 4 points.... True quitters...Your research, if any, also would had signified that they were without many key players for long periods of time. I don't know your current occupation, but please.. Stick with it, funny man..
Bonza
Guest
Fair enough. I agree about the kicking game, last tackle options could be a worry for the Roosters. Rosy Cheeks Robbo isn't afraid to punt players if they don't perform though, hello Aiden Guerra, so Keary/Pearce not definite. Connor Watson is indeed a Craig Wing like player who can relieve Jake Friend or worry tiring defences. Biggest thing the chooks have going for them is the shame of last year.
andrew
Guest
I didn't understand why Watson wasn't getting more game time last year. He will be an elite footballer. Keary may have a better kicking game (at the moment), I don't know, but there is no other area of the game where Keary is a better player than Watson. If he isn't their no 6, then they are letting his utility value cost them. If you just pick the best 17 players, and fit them together, Watson is about the 5th player picked..
Keith Sheldon
Roar Guru
I didn't want to make thr review go to long. The reason I bag him is because he has one string to his bow and that is a running game whilst his kicking game (especially his long distance kicks) is awful. But you guys have a team where you have good runners already. Mitchell Pearce sometimes struggles with kicking long so you needed a half that can do it for him. Keary can't, therefore he was a bad purchase panic buy. Roosters will make the 8. I just doubt they will make the top 4 due to off field issues.
Robby Ramone
Roar Rookie
10 or so rounds
Robby Ramone
Roar Rookie
The first 10 or rounds will tell - I think Connor Watson could be a Craig Wing type player coming from the Bench- Looks likely the starting backline will be Gordon SKD Mitchell Ferguson Tupou Keary Pearce- forwards Liu Guerra Cordner Nappa Friend JWH - Bench - Evans Watson Aubusson Matterson - SST will miss the first few rounds due to the ACL injury. They need to get back to the standard of defence and attack of 2013-15-
Bonza
Guest
If you're going to bag Keary then tell us why. Even though Nines aren't the real deal Connor Watson certainly put his hand up for a halves contender. If I was a Roosters fan I'd be pretty excited about 2017. If all play to their potential they should be aiming for top 4. From a NSW perspective I hope Latrell Mitchell understands state borders better than our old mate GI.
kk
Roar Pro
Manly have always drawn good support from the CC probably going back to the days of Wombat Eadie. Against Souths they hold the ground record Of 22,000 + As a matter of interest, when buying tickets last Thursday for the game I was told that most of the reserved areas had been sold. It may be an indicator for how hungry the fans are for NRL 2017. I sympathise with your travel problem. Mobility is a curse for the ageing NRL fan.
Paranoid
Guest
Lets be honest here has was wearing pants..so the term he humped a dog is over the top, if you want to be specific then dry humping would be the correct term... Also on what Pearce said about Keary how do you know he wasn't geniune, were you there? Do you have inside knowledge ? All I can say is not only was I quoting him on what he said in public, but also from other sources closer to the team. On Hastings it was a very different situation as Hasting is NOT a ball runner rather a ball player much like Pearce is, Keary is like Maloney in that regard so he should have a similar combination as Maloney did.
Keith Sheldon
Roar Guru
First, he still hunped a dog. Doesn't matter the situation, he was filmed humping a dog. Also you know DCE said similar things about Dylan Walker last year right? Just like how Pearce said the same thing about Hastings. Of course they are gonna talk up their new halves partner, what else can they do?