The Roosters have started the 2020 season with an 0-2 record and now that the season has been shortened, along with the fact that they lost Cooper Cronk to retirement, Latrell Mitchell to South Sydney and brought in a very young halfback in Kyle Flanagan, things are complicated.
They were tipped to three-peat but now that looks very out of reach.
Luke Keary, without a doubt, was the best player for the Roosters in their 2018 grand final win with an injured Cooper Cronk who could barely lift his arm up. Keary really stood up and that’s what got him the Clive Churchill medal in 2018 and in 2019 he played 22 games, scored two tries, had 5236 kick metres (career-high), 16 forced dropouts (career-best) and 22 try assists (career-best) so his 2019 got even better, also winning his third premiership (second with the Roosters).
You can’t forget that Luke Keary was playing on the same side as the top point-scorer in 2018 and 2019 in Latrell Mitchell and had Cooper Cronk by his side.
It doesn’t help that Sydney Roosters captain Boyd Cordner was unavailable for the first two games due to injury but will be back motoring for the Roosters when the competition returns on May 28th.
Keary has done a lot for the Roosters the past couple of years but now after losing two of their biggest names he really needs to start motoring after the very long break due to COVID-19 and get the Roosters over the line because once Keary starts going, then Kyle Flanagan will gain some confidence, which means his combination with Joey Manu will start to grow.
The Roosters also gained Josh Morris from the Sharks which means both of the Morris brothers will most likely finish their careers at the Sydney Roosters and maybe top it off by winning a premiership in 2020.
The Morris brothers are definitely one of the best set of brothers the NRL have ever seen and they both know how to get the job done in any type of situation.
Hopefully during this long break the players have kept up with training and have also been resting so that they come firing out the blocks come Round 3, which will be against South Sydney unless there is a change of fixture, which I doubt.
Latrell Mitchell will be facing his old club but will it be as a fullback?
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Will it be as a centre?
We will have to wait and see, my money will be on fullback but don’t expect much from Mitchell. The Roosters were the team to beat this season but the current top of the table leaders, the Parramatta Eels, are now the team to beat.
Will the Roosters three-peat?
Dirk Diggler
Roar Rookie
Probably not...and the odds go up even further it Keary gets hurt with Cronk now gone.
Chief_League_Supporter
Roar Rookie
Spot on John! It will be tough, sure, but possible. Latrell went missing for at least half of our games. I am not sorry that we let him go. JMoz will not have the same attacking prowess, but his defense will more than make up for it. Do not discount commitment, stability and team harmony. Luke will also play well. Kyle will grow and improve. Teddy and Cooper took a while to get going and look at how that turned out. Sam Verrills or even Sam Walker could come in if any serious issues emerge with Kyle. We have depth. I am looking forward to this. The main challenge for us will be to treat it is a race or sprint rather than a marathon. If we make the top eight, look out. Origin will not be an interruption this year. Hopefully we can get going early, and the boys will be as hungry and motivated as in the past. Injury remains a concern, granted. Hopefully we will have some luck there. Easts to win! CLS (aka Rooster)
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Dislike of the Roosters emanates from jealousy from some other clubs' supporters. Hoping they do it again even if I have to wipe all the tears of the haters running down my screen.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I think Josh Morris is replacing Mitchell. Morris wont be scoring tries like Mitchell did , I'll give you the answer now.
1.5 metres please
Guest
According to many , This time two years ago Cronk was going to be a failure at the Roosters , and look how that turned out . Yes Mitchell was good , but was he good because of the team he was in ? And who’s to say they don’t have someone almost as talented standing next to Joey this year . The coach is the magic ingredient at the Roosters, and he’s still there . Can they go three in a row ? Who knows , but I know there’ll be a serious amount of sooking if they do .
Officer59
Roar Rookie
Struggled against the Bulldogs & beat the Titans in the first 2 rounds & they're the team to beat lololol.......not taking anything away from either the Titans or Bulldogs teams but let's see what they produce against real opposition. Even the Knights played stronger opposition & I don't rate them! If anyone is the team to beat it's the Storm!
Officer59
Roar Rookie
Nope!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Chickens still have a top roster but it will be a hell of an effort to win it again. The Morris twins are at that stage where they are very valuable at supporting the big guns but their attacking threat is well past its peak. I reckon they could easily miss the 8 but if they make it they won't make the GF I believe. Mitchell in form is a massive loss and he was the main factor in a lot wins for his various teams in 18 and 19.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Flanagan looked a long way off the pace in the game against Manly. Unless he shows remarkable improvement in a hurry they are no chance. The 0 and 2 start is of no consequence the season is long enough to overcome that.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Please all the gods no!!! That is by far the worst outcome possible.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Think you've answered your own question by mentioning the loss of Cronk and Mitchell - I suspect not but that backline is still formidable. It all hinges on whether Flanagan can give enough support to Keary.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Yep.