It can be revealed that Nick Politis had a cunning plan for his Roosters this season: lose the opening two games.
It was a top-down order from the chairman to his first-grade coach and team, the logic of which would become apparent as the season wore on.
But let there be no mistake, it was a brilliant idea that the Bondi boys executed flawlessly, heading into Round 3 of the season on zero points.
As was their plan all along – sitting at the bottom of the table, right where they wanted to be.
And then this bloody pandemic came along, turned the entire comp on its head, and now Uncle Nick’s plan has been undermined.
Losing the first two games doesn’t make sense anymore. Not like how it had previously.
“If you change the draw, you’ve got to start again. If the current points are to stand, we have to play over a full season,” the Chooks boss told the Daily Telegraph last week.
“It’s like changing the race from a Melbourne Cup (two miles) to a Doncaster (one mile) after it’s already started.”
Right. Because the ideal way to start a Melbourne Cup is for your horse to pull a Chautauqua and just stand still when the gates burst open.
“We have been preparing all along for a 24-round season. That’s why we rested Boyd Cordner for the first two games,” Politis said.
And with his timely complaint, Politis suddenly reopened the door which Peter V’landys had apparently closed when he declared, “There is no way we are taking anyone’s points away.”
The thing about the NRL – and I know this flies in the face of Politis’ apparent plan – is that there is never an advantage to losing a game.
Take 2016, when the Knights won a grand total of one match all season. As for 2017, Newcastle took out the wooden spoon again.
Tanking isn’t worthwhile in the NRL, because there’s no draft. Losing just means you’ve got far less chance of signing decent players, attracting large crowds or getting a fat sponsorship deal – because no one likes a loser.
The closest you’ll get to having a ‘plan to lose’ is in the last rounds of the regular season, when your spot in the top eight or top four is already settled, so you give players a rest ahead of the finals.
But that’s simply not the case in the opening two rounds. No one wants to start the year with a loss – let alone two – because it makes getting back into the eight all the more difficult, especially for a team like the Roosters that is guaranteed to do it tough through the Origin period due to their high number of representative players.
James Tedesco of the Roosters celebrates with Roosters Club Chairman Nick Politis (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
The Chooks may have ‘rested’ their captain for the opening two rounds, but have a look at the teams they named for the opening week and then again for Round 2.
They’re full strength, apart from Cordner missing (and let’s be honest, who buys that the NSW and Kangaroos skipper was ‘resting’, rather than injured).
They gave it their all and they lost. It wasn’t a brilliant plan that has since been upended.
They didn’t play as well as their opposition in the opening rounds and thus they have zero points. That’s also the case with the Dragons, Bulldogs and Titans. They lost fair and square.
The competition may look different when it resumes, but it’s not like any of those winless teams planned to lose their opening matches, nor have they been any more disadvantaged by COVID-19 than the likes of the undefeated Eels, Knights, Raiders, Storm, Broncos and Panthers.
The outlier is, of course, the Warriors, who had to play their Round 2 ‘home’ game on the Gold Coast and down on troops who had flown home, subsequently losing to Canberra.
I’m not going to discount that but the Warriors are a whole different kettle of fish – if they are going to be relocated to Australia for the entirety of the 2020 competition, certain dispensations and consolations may be in order. That’s a discussion for another day.
But for the rest of the clubs, there is no argument to be made that the opening two rounds were an injustice. Because everybody went into their games with the outright intention of winning.
“This isn’t just about the Roosters. It’s about the integrity of the competition and giving every club and their fans a fair chance.”
Truer words were never spoken, Mr Politis. And it’s exactly why the points earned thus far must stand.
Hodgo
Guest
This is just embarassing....tall poppy at worst a complete lack of respect at best....
wardest
Guest
Fair enough Joe Frost But I can assure you that none of the roosters ???? fans were worried about losing the early games with the long season ahead of them. Seem to remember the roosters juggling their Halves and centers line up. Angus Crichton a second row was centre for both games . Not making excuses but there were 24 more games to go. Now not so many. Seems Nic may have a point about tactics of who plays when and which team runs on to the pitch on weekends.
Nick
Roar Guru
OM?
1.5 metres please
Guest
Once again you’ve shown that your clueless. How many years did you spend in the motor vehicle sales industry OM ? I’ll tell you , NONE .
Muzz
Guest
Hahaha
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
My first game was the 1964 grand final that Balmain were very unlucky to lose.... St-George has had very little success since then and Easts are catching up on the premier's table.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
My hazy memory recalls that season: Bruce (Larpa) Stewart, Ron Saddler, Gwyl Barnes, Luke Ricketson's dad Doug & others. Round 1 saw Saints v Balmain at SCG. Kevin Yow Yeh starred. I enjoyed the game as back then didn't like Saints as they had won too many GF's. Nowadays don't mind them & living in Brisbane dislike the Broncos instead. Back to my story. Next day I went to the Sports Ground. Easts v Newtown. Easts scored two early tries yet were overtaken late. Lightweight pack. Unlimited tackles. That was the pattern for that season. Think the coach was Holcroft. Gibbo took over & they made the semis the following year. Hope my memory is accurate.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Are you one of the 66ers? My sister became an Easts fan after they lost all their games in 1966. They joined Souths who lost all their games in 1946, as the only clubs still in existence to do so….. {Annandale in 1918 & 1920, University 1921 & 1935 & 1837}
max power
Guest
all used car salesman
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
yep, whilst he was going to University I believe He is worth $500-$ 600 mill personally his business interests turn over about$ 4.2 Billion annually and he employs a hell of a lot of people
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
It wasn't a controversial decision it was a rare refereeing error that robbed Canberra of a field goal that probably would've won the game. There was a good chance of success and as the Canberra players didn't hear or see the referees change their decisions they weren't moving into position for defense. Easts got lucky but they made the grand final and as defending premiers they were there again and took advantage of their luck. On the sledging, as a delusional Easts fan once said after a rare win over a more successful club, "Eat your heart out and enjoy your trip back to Rockdale". It missed it's mark because Dragons fans come from all over the rugby league world.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Hope you see my apology. Only looking at this site for the first time since last night & am computer ILLITERATE. Next time I see a post from you I will apologise again in case you don't see this one. Been a Rooster (Easts Tricolours) supporter since mid 60's living in Bondi. Moved to Brisbane some years ago & have had to tolerate the Broncos bias & hatred towards Roosters. Whenever a Broncos supporter mentions Roosters Salary Sombrero I feel tempted to remind them of the large sum of money that "went missing & mysteriously returned" a few years back & a person of interest stepped down from his position hence not liable to give evidence. Gee that was a Broncos mystery!
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Easts have never left the comp. Their legal name is Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club (ESDRLFC). Their trading name (which you can change at whim) is Sydney Roosters. A name which 90% of the fans hate. It's always been Easts or Roosters for 90% of us. You need to get smart Max.
ken gargett
Guest
GH, that sums it up perfectly.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
I kind of get where they are coming from, but the argument is a bit weak. What about if the points stood, but the differentials were reset (everyone goes back to zero). That way teams with wins keep the wins, but those without are less disadvantaged. It should be noted that the Roosters are not last (Titans) and have less than -10 differential so are far from out of the game Knights style.
max power
Guest
easts left the comp in 1994. or do you mean easts brisbane?
Nick
Roar Guru
Oh, darling....
Muzz
Guest
Hey JOHN ALLAN , I was replying to the spruce goose.I enjoy your contribution! Stay safe maaaaaaaate and GO EASTS.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I would like to respond to being called "a flog maaaaate" however unlike you I don't have a dictionary for 3 year olds so you probably can't comprehend anything beyond "The cat sat on the mat". Consult an adult before posting in future.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Agree however self interest exists everywhere. Back to last years GF & had roles been reversed & the Raiders benefitted by controversial decisions all the Rooster Haters would have said "Suck it up Chooks". So the point I'm endeavouring to make is that supporters of other clubs shouldn't let their envy & jealousy cloud their thinking. Haven't heard the "Salary Sombrero" accusation for a while. About time one of you "Supporters of less than successful clubs" dragged that out again. If that sort of "constructive dialogue" makes you feel good!