The Roosters have been one of the most talked about teams in the lead up to the 2018 season, and much of this has been down to the high-profile player movements both in and out of the club and the resulting expectations this year.
Nothing but a premiership will do in the eyes of some. They are coming off a season where they finished second but bowed out in a disappointing loss to the Cowboys. They are the premiership favourites at a very short $5, but rightfully so.
The 2017 season was a good one for the Chooks after a disappointing 2016. Luke Keary was just about the buy of the season in the five-eighth jersey. Mitchell Pearce was good enough to force his way back into the Origin side. Boyd Cordner is now an Origin captain. These were just some of the ingredients in a return to the top two
They didn’t have the same killer instinct that the Storm had, but they weren’t far off, knocking off every top-eight team during the season with the exception of Manly.
[latest_videos_strip category=”league” name=”League”]
The Roosters will need to be more ruthless in 2018. They were the beneficiaries of a top-two spot, a second chance and a home final in Week 1, but in the three weeks leading up to the finals they made some hard work of getting there, with narrow wins over some struggling teams.
The biggest winning streak they could manage was four, far from the dominance we have seen from other sides in recent seasons and an indication that the Roosters could be a little patchy at times. As soon as they looked to have a roll on they were brought back to earth with a poor performance.
Hard to ignore too is the way 2017 finished. Without too much disrespect to the Cowboys, the Roosters should have won the game. The Cowboys limped into the finals eighth and busted. They were into their third week playing away from home and without Johnathan Thurston. The Roosters had a week off and were playing in front of their home fans. We saw what the Storm did as home preliminary finalists, and that is what you expect from a team that wins the grand final.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
How does their squad rate?
The Roosters have probably had the best recruitment drive over the summer. Sure, they lost Aidan Guerra, Connor Watson, Mitchell Pearce, Kane Evans and Michael Gordon among others. But to add New South Wales fullback and Queensland and Australian halfback James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk respectively, you can’t have many complaints as a Roosters fan.
At the back Michael Gordon was reliable and safe, but Tedesco is one of the best fullbacks in the game. He has it all, is a great defender and is explosive in attack. You get the sense it was time for a change from the instability at the Tigers. He will thrive in a team that he doesn’t have to provide everything for.
The rest of the backline is littered with rep talent. Blake Ferguson has been part of NSW for a number of years. Latrell Mitchell might be headed there soon and is looking as fit as ever. Daniel Tupou was injured last year but he too has been part of the NSW backline in the past. Joseph Manu looks to be an exciting talent. They have also brought in Reece Robinson for some cover in the backs.
(AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)
The halves pairing has the potential to be one of the best in the competition. Cronk is coming off a premiership-winning season as well as winning an Origin series and world cup. Keary looked reinvigorated in his first season for the tricolours. An organised, professional halfback and a running five-eighth that look to complement each other nicely.
The forward pack isn’t the best in the competition but it sure isn’t a soft one: two aggressive representative props in Dylan Napa and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; the NSW captain and Australian second-rower Boyd Cordner; and one of the most reliable players in the competition, Mitchell Aubusson.
Isacc Liu, Zane Tetevano, Ryan Matterson and Sio Siua Taukeiaho are all good options off the bench. Frank-Paul Nu’uausala re-joins the club too.
Jake Friend is one of the hardest working hookers in the game, but they don’t have many other options there if injury strikes.
(Robb Cox ©nrlphotos.com)
Ins
James Tedesco (Tigers, until 2021), Cooper Cronk (Storm, until 2019), Reece Robinson (NSW Waratahs, until 2018) and Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Wigan Warriors).
Outs
Kane Evans (Eels), Aidan Guerra (Knights), Liam Knight (Raiders), Connor Watson (Knights), Paul Carter, Brenden Santi, Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Michael Gordon (Titans) and Grant Garvey (released).
Injuries and suspensions
The only concern for the Roosters is Luke Keary. He broke his jaw at training in January but should be fit for Round 1.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Key man
Cooper Cronk. His talent is undoubted. He has done it all in the game, and multiple times. But he still isn’t talked about in the same terms as the likes of Cameron Smith or Johnathan Thurston.
He is a professional. He is meticulous in preparation and obviously a deep thinker on the game. But he has also spent his whole career playing in the same structures and under the same coach. He has also had the service of the best dummy half this century and the best modern fullback in the game in Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
This move could define Cronk’s career. The Roosters released Pearce, a halfback who most thought would see out his career at Bondi due to Cronk’s arrival. Nearly the only way the swap can be justified is if Cronk improves the club’s fortunes in 2018 either by seeing them to a grand final or premiership.
A criticism of Pearce is his propensity to go missing in the big games. Cronk, meanwhile, has nailed some big moments under pressure. Look at his field goal to win Queensland a series in 2012 as just one example.
Statistically they had very similar seasons last year. If Cronk doesn’t deliver, the question will be asked: was it worth giving up Pearce with probably five or so years left in favour of Cronk? The Roosters will be hoping it pays off in the short term.
(Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Where do they need to improve?
It is hard to pinpoint or find too much room for improvement when a side finishes top two and makes a preliminary final, but it was how they ended the season that probably best demonstrates where they need to improve.
In the preliminary final against the Cowboys they looked complacent and, slightly concerningly, a little inexperienced in big moments.
Latrell Mitchell kicking the ball dead off the kick-off twice is just inexcusable in such a big game. An error, an errant pass, a missed tackle – they invited the Cowboys into the contest all night with a dip in concentration in key moments and they paid the price.
They did the same thing a fortnight earlier against the Broncos. They gave up the lead in that game when Blake Ferguson saved a 40/20, but there was nobody home to clean up and the Broncos scored. Mitchell saved their skin that night in the dying stages.
The Roosters at their best looked like contenders. They had big wins during the season to prove it. But they struggled to get a complete 80 minutes out all season.
The Storm were so ruthless as premiers last season. They gave teams nothing and were so hard to beat. If the Roosters can tighten up their discipline and become more ruthless. they’ll go further in 2018.
(Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Top five clashes
Round 1: Tigers vs Roosters – ANZ Stadium, 10 March
A sunny Saturday in March, an all Sydney affair – both teams will have plenty to prove to start the season. Don’t discount the Tigers.
Round 8: Dragons vs Roosters – Allianz Stadium, 25 April
Anzac Day. Last year was a thriller won for the Roosters by Mitchell Pearce in golden point. It should be another cracker.
Round 14: Knights vs Roosters – McDonald Jones Stadium, 9 June
There will be plenty of Newcastle players thinking about this one. Will the Knights have improved enough to knock off the premiership favourites at home?
Round 16: Roosters vs Storm – Adelaide Oval, 29 June
The only time Cronk will face his former club, at least in the regular season. Another fixture that was won for the Roosters by Mitchell Pearce last year. Will Cronk sink his former club?
Round 19: Sea Eagles vs Roosters – Lottoland, 22 July
The Roosters were overrun by the Sea Eagles on two occasions last season. Two teams that should be a joy to watch in attack go head-to-head on a Sunday afternoon at Brookie.
(AAP Image/David Mariuz)
How will they go?
The Roosters should be thinking premiership. Their roster and 2017 form demand it.
Is anything less an underachievement? They won’t be getting anything for free. The rest of the competition is on notice, and they will encounter teams that are up for the challenge of playing the premiership favourites.
That tag is the cause for concern. How are the Roosters dealing with being the premiership favourites? Are they expecting to just coast to a top-two spot again or are they hungry and willing to work? We saw what happened to the Panthers last year wearing that tag.
They may have finished second last year, but there was a fair bit of daylight between them and Melbourne.
Their team is filled with representative talent across the park and a number of players who have won premierships and Origin series. There are some concerns over depth and they need an 80 per cent goal-kicker, but if they can deal with those, they are a big chance of taking out the premiership.
Predicted finish
Second.
Gus O
Guest
Cronk will have the new spine firing, cannot wait to see the combo with Teddy and am expecting something special here. There will be plenty of points for their athletic outside backs from his kicking game. When their backline clicks - look out. Injuries will determine their season, they need a big year from their front row to be a chance of winning the comp in 2018
the Shafe
Guest
Fully enjoying your articles Jack. Your prediction for the Roosters could be close to correct, however, there is every chance they won’t reach the expected level this year. In fact, 2018 could be a disaster. • Their ‘culture’, even allowing for the influence of Cooper Cronk, won’t change quickly, there will be resistance. • The loss of Pearce and Gordon created some negativity at the club. o Pearce was quite popular within the club, losing him (especially in the manner it was done) didn’t go down well with many of the playing group. o Largely due to the above, the acceptance of Cronk and his ‘professionalism’ won’t be greeted with the open arms the club management/coaches desire. o Gordon was the team’s goalkicker and was replaced (Tedesco or otherwise) without – it appears – adequate consideration for the hole that left and how to fill it. Given that many games are decided by kicking, this puts additional pressure on the squad. ' In 2017, the Roosters proved the masters of the clutch, winning 12 games by six points or less - an all-time competition record, according to Fox Sports Lab. They also won seven games by two points or less - an equal competition record. Several of those wins can be attributed to Gordon’s trusty right boot with the 34-year-old kicking 72 of 92 attempts (78 per cent).' (Foxsports; the-biggest-void-trent-robinson-has-to-fill-at-bondi, December 13, 2017) o Pearce and Gordon were two of the most valuable members of the team in 2017. However, the entire squad now runs on the understanding that 2nd place is just not good enough and no matter what your contribution, unless we win “you face replacement”. That is excessive pressure. o Pearce was a long term - one club loyalist, and effectively cast aside for someone ‘better’. More the message of, ‘doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done for the club, we’ll dump you for a premiership’. More excessive pressure along with the overwhelming feeling that management cares for nobody, just the results. If Pearce can get shoved aside, nobody at the Roosters is safe. • Cronk is a mercenary. That might be the way the world is and nobody blames him for looking after himself. The issue is that when the chips are down, and they will be at times for the Roosters this year, Cronk really has no invested passion in the club. Other clubs provided more rewarding challenges if that was what he really wanted. He’s only there for 2 years, when the going gets tough, as long as his reputation is intact, there is little other reason for him to put himself on the line. When a war turns bad, it’s usually the mercenaries that drop their swords. • Also, he’s taken a mercenary step and I don’t know if that will sit well with his soul. • The squad is under enormous pressure, the message from the management is ‘winning the comp is the only acceptable future outcome’. The excessive pressure on the squad will be telling and damaging. • Trent Robinson, as shown in 2016, is not good under pressure. The story for the Roosters will be told in the first quarter of the year. Given their easy draw (in relation to others) if they aren’t at the top and running hot early in the season the pressure will mount and cracks will appear in coach and team alike.
Brian S
Guest
I too think Storm are favourites for 2018 !! NAS has taken 2 steps up, the Fox said he's faster & stronger than last year, plus we have some players that have been in the system for a while that are ready to take the next step ! Cronk did NOT play that well last year, he had a lot of ups & downs, i think the biggest problem he will have is, he will find out that he can't pass on intuition, that Billy, Smith, Munster etc will be running on to that pass he doesn't even have to think about !!
Big Daddy
Guest
Greg, It's a pity they won't be there next year. Not too late for manly to look at. I always thought Blacktown wasn't a geographical fit . But in saying that wyong/roosters wasn't either.
Birdy
Guest
Hi TB, It will be interesting to watch how all the ex tigers go after getting away from a club in turmoil. Even Potter was magnificent with Fiji. For me, I'll miss Tedesco, hope Cleary gets them on track before his son comes on board next year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mushi - I think Melbourne are favourites for the same reason. They have to come a long way back to the pack and/or other teams have to improve massively. I think that’s happened to a small degree but I think they’re still a level above. They finished three wins better than second place and their points differential was almost double the next best (Broncos) and more than four times the third best (Roosters). No trip to England for the WCC for them this year either.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hey Birdy I think they will snap him out of it. I agree Tedesco runs across field but I think it’s usually his inside men not drawing their opposition or executing the play properly, leaving Tedesco surrounded and nowhere to go. I guess we’ll find out in a few weeks...
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think Tedesco will thrive with some structure and better players inside him. So many times at the Tigers he’d come sweeping around the back but the inside men would fk it up and he’d be surrounded by defenders and trying to step through a brick wall. Cronk brings plenty that Pearce doesn’t. I reckon there’s nothing better than seeing one of the high camera angles and watching Cronk yelling at blokes, directing traffic, throwing them in the right position or stepping up into the line and taking control himself. Pearce is good but Cronk is next level.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
That's a fair point BD and I don't usually take notice of trials. In saying that I don't believe Blacktown will have any excuses not to do very well this year as it is a big team with plenty of good players. One thing I'll say about Wyong is that their kick offs are deadly , It's like a heat seeking missile which is seeking grass instead.
Paul
Guest
Jack, The Storm doesn't need to be a stronger side than last year, they only have to be as good or even slightly worse and they will go close to two in a row. They were so much better than every other Club throughout the last season and streeted the minor premiership and what was the final score in the GF? My issue with Easts recruitment is a lack of forward firepower, especially if they have injuries/suspensions. I can think of at least 8 other packs of forwards which are better than they are, and that does not bode well for a strong 2018. Will make the finals, should make the top 4 but won't scare too many teams in September.
Big Daddy
Guest
Greg, Go back 12 month's and manly s reserve grade beat wyong easily in a trial and guess what wyong made grand final and manly didn't make semis. Plus wyong had about 5 out. Don't take too much notice of trials.
Birdy
Guest
Lol Glenn, Will Tedesco stop running across field. He does it every game and almost (it seems) every touch. It's a frustrating thing to watch. To his credit though he has an amazing amount of tackle busts per touch of the ball. That along with his defence can be attributed to his incredible strength. I often wonder if that jig a jig and not passing has cost points let's see if the chooks snap him out of it.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
The Roosters reserves were outgunned badly by Manly in the trials and I can't imagine they weren't trying too impress as most of them would be hoping for a run in 1sts. Napa and JWH didn't need to impress anyone and they didn't either. They appear to be coasting along and will need to find some hunger if the Roosters are to crow this year. In the meantime Cronk looked like Cronk usually does If the Roosters make the top 4 and Cronk is no better than Pearce was it won't mean anything, He is there to bring home the bacon which Pearce struggles to do. Cronk is worth the risk that he will leave and not deliver any bacon. In Pearces defence , he didn't have Teddy as fullback , nor Mitchell ,Napa or JWH firing when needed.
Mushi
Guest
Melbourne have to be favourites. Yes they've lost Cronk but last year they were massively better than everyone else. The Roosters were lucky to be 2 last year. I think the Storm are still the class of the comp Though will disagree with how easy Robinson's coaching platform has been. Last year he embraced chaos, that's really tough for a coach to do. I was really impressed with his malleability last year
Albo
Guest
Yep ! Agree with most of that Baz. Whilst they have new boys Cronk & Tedesco, they have lost Pearce & Gordon, and they have not strengthened their pack at all, where key members ( Napa & JWH) had poor 2017 form. Goal kicking may be another issue if Sio Siua Taukeiaho doesn't play big minutes. I am not convinced that Cronk can bring any more to the Roosters than what Pearce has provided ? I think Tedesco is their key player for 2018 as his form was still very good playing in the team of busteds last year. He now offers more strike power at the back than the Roosters have ever had and if gets plenty of ball he will create havoc for opposition defences. In the forwards their keys for mine are TKO, Liu & Tetevano who should be given plenty of game time over Napa & JWH. All in all, I give the Roosters a fair chance of the title in 2018 if all goes right for them, but I would have the Storm and Cowboys in front of them at this stage.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Those are all fair questions to ask but most sides have similar ones to be asked about their seasons. We are about to have plenty of them answered. As Big Daddy has pointed out their reserve grade team has been performing so perhaps their perceived lack of depth isn't quite the reality they face. Robinson can coach, but certainly he has taken an easier way in than plenty of others. The team selection in the final against the Cowboys was astonishing. Carrying an Tupou on the bench, and they looked very exposed in the forwards at points during that game
Glenn
Guest
Once again they have a favourable draw having to travel the least of any team much like last year. Amazing how many times it turns out like that for them. But for me there are still too many questions to be answered. Will injuries with their skinny roster come back to haunt them? Will Ferguson and Mitchell get the brain snaps out of their game? Will Cronk be a super star in another team? Who will be their goal kicker? Will Tedesco stop running across field and will he pass the ball? Will Cronk make them a consistent team or will they be up and down like last year? Is Robinson a champion coach without a champion team at his disposal? 2016 says he is not. He has to take responsibility for their poor finals performance when they had two forwards in the centres plus a poor bench (two backs if I remember rightly).
Joe
Roar Rookie
Storm are definitely not stronger than last year after losing Cronk, Harris and Mclean. Croft is a 20 year old who will be rotated during the season with Jacks, Walter, Drinkwater to ensure he lasts the season. Hoffman is nowhere near as good as Harris, his best years are behind him. Will do the job but I expect Stimson will get some game time. Kasiano may be fitter than he used to be but he's not as fit as Mclean was who made the Roos team off the back of last years performance. I think it will be a long while before we see a Storm team as dominant as that 2017 team was. Cowboys most definitely are stronger than last year but they barely made it to 8th and the finals in the regular season. They're now a top four team but Roosters were a top two team and added Cronk and Tedesco to their roster.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Good article Jack. The Roosters have put together a premiership winning team no doubt about that and anything other than a premiership will be seen as a failure. They were 2nd on the ladder last year only beaten by the Storm who have come back to the pack by losing Cronk, Harris, Mclean from their starting lineup. Croft, Hoffman and Kasiano are a step down from those three. The Roosters as you've mentioned although losing a number of players the only ones who were in the starting lineup on a regular basis was Pearce and Gordon and they've been upgraded significantly by the purchase of Cronk and Tedesco. I think Latrell Mitchell will have a breakout year including getting picked for Origin he is looking that good and from all accounts the fittest he's ever been. The only thing that can derail their season is injury to key players i.e spine, Cordner, Latrell as the depth looks a bit thin. I think they'll have a season similar to what the Storm produced last year. Cowboys, Sharks, Eels and Storm to fight it out for 2nd.
Big Daddy
Guest
Everyone says the roosters don't have the depth but have still made intrust cup grand finals the last 2 of 3 years so must be doing something right.