The Roosters have won three minor premierships and made four preliminary finals in the past five years, yet haven’t won the grand final since 2013. Can James Tedesco and Cooper Cronk’s big-money moves put them over the edge?
Last season
Fourth, 16 wins, eight Losses, 496 Points Scored, 457 Points Conceded (Lost Prelim Final)
Last five seasons
Premiers (1st regular season), preliminary final (1st regular season), preliminary final (1st regular season), 15th, preliminary final (second regular season).
2017 review
The Roosters managed to right their ship from a disastrous 2016, bouncing back from 15th to second after an off-season makeover, including the signings of Luke Keary and Michael Gordon.
However, despite the side’s excellent regular season, they were disappointing in losing the preliminary final against the Cowboys at Allianz Stadium, as they entered the game as heavy favourites – emphasising their underwhelming returns in big games.
The side looked fantastic when at their best, with a vibrant attack, however they also had the ability to shoot themselves in the foot, with dumb errors and penalties proving their downfall in close matches.
2018 gains
James Tedesco (Tigers – 2021), Cooper Cronk (Storm – 2019), Reece Robinson (NSW Waratahs – 2018), Frank-Paul Nuuausala (Wigan)
2018 losses
Kane Evans (Eels), Aidan Guerra (Knights), Liam Knight (Raiders), Connor Watson (Knights), Paul Carter, Brenden Santi, Johnny Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors), Michael Gordon (Titans), Grant Garvey (released)
Mitchell Pearce is gooooone. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Tedesco will bring a dimension to the club’s attack that Gordon couldn’t, with his electric speed and ball running ability. He is quite possibly the best signing of any club all summer.
However, that wasn’t their biggest splash as they also managed to pull two-time premiership winner and Origin legend Cooper Cronk.
Cronk brings outstanding professionalism and culture to a club that has been a bit loose at times. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the Sydney fishbowl, as well as the Bondi boys’ style of play. Cronk has had the luxury of Cameron Smith feeding him the ball his whole career in Craig Bellamy’s system, and the move outside of that throws up question marks.
The loss of Mitchell Pearce was probably inevitable when they brought in Cronk, however it was messy to a player who has served the club so well. Pearce would have had plenty of close mates in that dressing room, and the way he essentially was pushed aside might have taken some aback.
Plenty of experience was lost with the likes of Aidan Guerra and Gordon moving on. If injuries strike, they don’t have the quality depth they had in previous years.
Head coach – Trent Robinson
Trent Robinson has risen from relative obscurity as a rookie in 2013, to be one of the premier coaches in the game.
Generally calm, considered and thoughtful, his demeanour is often offset by some of the chaos that surrounds the Bondi club. Despite leading them to a premiership in his first season, the lack of grand final wins since was likely why Robinson plumped for Cronk – to get that controlled head in a big game.
The pressure is on Robinson to deliver this year, given the arrivals of Cronk and Tedesco to an already strong roster. Another title is what their period of sustained regular-season successes need.
Most important player – Cooper Cronk
If Cronk can get everyone on board – on and off the field – the Roosters have the most talent in the competition and can deliver where they fell short last season.
However, if they don’t make the grand final, this signing will be considered a failure, given Cronk is 34 and Pearce was virtually forced out the door to accommodate him.
Cronk has the headstrong mentality and belief to rise to the challenge, however he is out of his comfort zone.
2018 side
1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Dylan Napa 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Isaac Liu
14. Ryan Matterson 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Sio Siua Taukeiaho 17. Nat Butcher 18 Frank-Paul Nuuasuala
Verdict – second
If this back line fires, then all teams are going to have their work cut out to go with them. I’m not 100 per cent sold that Cronk will be an upgrade on Pearce, purely as a halfback, however his control of big matches is proven. Tedesco should relish running off the likes of Cronk and Keary, and could have an unbelievable season if he stays fit. Even someone like Latrell Mitchell has so much improvement in him if he’s fit and focused.
The pack has a few doubts about it, given their meek performances at the back end of last season. Jake Friend has gone off the boil the past couple of seasons and his attacking threat has been dulled. With Dylan Napa off contract, and with no Angus Crichton until 2019, they can’t afford too many injuries if they want to dominate the stronger sides in the middle of the field. Their back row is not overly strong and their bench is reasonable rather than dynamic.
At their best, this team is clearly good enough to win the competition. However, some mental scars from previous series will have to be overcome. Most of all, they need to learn to be disciplined and make fewer errors in big moments. Last year they had the talent, but not the composure under pressure.
This side will finish in second spot, with 16 or 17 wins, but what they do in September will define them.
Eddie’s ladder
Second: Sydney RoostersThird: Cronulla Sutherland SharksFourth: St George Illawarra Dragons
Fifth: Canberra Raiders
Sixth: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Seventh: Brisbane Broncos
Eighth: Penrith Panthers
Ninth: Parramatta Eels
Tenth: North Queensland Cowboys
11th: Newcastle Knights
12th: South Sydney Rabbitohs
13th: Gold Coast Titans
14th: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
15th: Wests Tigers
16th: New Zealand Warriors
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Chooks pack is pretty good but to win it I reckon they will need to stay fairly injury free and Napa and JWH will need to get motivated. JWH runs it back at 3/4 pace these days and has mellowed to the point where he is becoming pedestrian. Napa is such a beast sometimes but how often does that beast emerge? If Mitchell and Teddy along with Cronk play to their potential and the pack at least holds their own then they could win it for sure.
MAX
Guest
Agreed jjk, I have had the good fortune to see Changa and Gasnier in full flight. Latrell excites me in the same fashion. I had a little on him @150/1 for the DM.
ja ja klazo
Guest
Latrell is the one who for me, could just about single handedly win a comp. He has such outrageous talent that if he can get focused and channel that, he will be absolutely devastating. Will be interesting to see how Cronk goes about bringing him into the game. People focus on Pearce's inability to ice big games, I think the area that Pearce fails the most is bringing his star X factor players into the game at crucial times. Cronk has made a career making those around him better players, so the effect he has on the likes of Keary, Latrell and Tedesco could blow teams off the park.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Roosters are my favorites to win this year. Both the minor and major premierships. They came 2nd last year and upgraded their half and fullback. With the signing of Nuasala and possibly Baptiste they also have a pretty good bench. With Angus Crighton going to them next year I think they'll go back-to-back as well. They have the best spine in the competition. I believe Latrell will be the best centre in the game this year and the likes of Tupou and Ferguson out wide for those Cronk cross kicks. For all the talk about their forward pack, this forward pack got them to 2nd place last season and the Storm who got 1st place have lost Mclean, Harris and Griffin. Add Nu'usala and Baptiste and the Rooster pack looks pretty good.
MuthaPhukkaJones
Guest
The Roosters will be reeeedhooot this year , so hot , ive already booked the plane flights and are just waiting for the GF tickets to be released.
DP Schaefer
Guest
Roosters likely to have troubles. Won't win comp this year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Minor quibbles but in the “Last season” section you’ve given the Roosters Parramatta’s record and in the 2018 losses you’ve left out Pearce, SKD and Nikorima. I think the Roosters have enough quality in their squad to win games well and get them home in tight games enough to lock down a top four spot but there is not a lot of depth there. Something the salary sombrero brigade fail to recognise. One concern is not just the losses in end of season games - these are coin flips a lot t of the time - but how flat they look in end of season games. Last year against the Cowboys, 2014 they went as MPs and in hot form and paddled in the semis. It’s going to be great to watch Tedesco in a good team and fascinating to see how Cronk goes. Also interested in their forward rotation. I wonder if at times JWH and Napa play too many minutes while their bench forwards only get 25 or so.
i miss the force
Guest
an excellent 1-15 but could struggle with injuries
Rod
Guest
Look as a Rabbitohs supporter I will naturally find reason as to why the Roosters will fail. I’m surprised they lost 8 games last year, just goes to show there isn’t much difference between a good year and a bad one. If you take there finals games losses does that bring it to10 losses for the season. Do forwards win matches and backs determine by how much? My thoughts are that they will win games against teams that they can match in the forwards because of there backs. There achillies heel will be the there forwards , they have less depth and apart from Cordner and takihaho.the rest of there pack are middle of the road.JWH will need to find some form as he is now just a solid front rower who lacks intimidation . They have a backline that on one hand can be devastating but equally can be defensively found wanting with players like Ferguson and youngsters like Manu and Mitchell . Will Cronk be effective outside the Melbourne system , can Tedesco take his game to the next level and develop in to a modern style fullback with a passing game.