Something happened to the Roosters in the week leading up to their 60-8 hammering to Souths. It was something that cannot be explained, something beyond the rigorous systematic enterprises of science and Sonny Bill Williams’ rig.
The Bondi club’s quest for a three-peat ended at the hands of Canberra on Friday night, with Trent Robinson’s men bundled out with three straight defeats to end their dynasty and thusly, make rugby league liveable again for 15/16ths of the game.
The all-conquering side was unrecognisable as it limped to the season’s end as a shadow of its former self, with execution in attack misfiring, defence uncharacteristically flimsy, and silverware envy conspicuously lacking.
Many have traced their demise back to that fateful Saturday night at ANZ Stadium, when the dominant Tricolours went from an imposing Death Star casting a shadow over the looming finals, to a side with Mitch Aubusson at hooker.
Even without Victor Radley, Sam Verrills, Cooper Cronk and Latrell Mitchell, the Roosters approached the final rounds on-track to earn comparison to icons like the 11-straight Dragons and 1990s Broncos, but ultimately ended up alongside the 2020 Eels and Greg Norman.
Whether it was COVID, chemistry or Cody Walker, whatever occurred in that dismantling by Souths was a phenomenon that has yet to be explained by anyone, not even the world’s great minds like Socrates or Gordie Tallis.
It was akin to the Roosters passing through the Bermuda Triangle, that paranormal patch of ocean in the North Atlantic notorious for swallowing up aircraft and mega-ships, a mythical geographical freak of nature that cannot be navigated with technology or Nick Politis.
After a fast opening ten minutes against the Rabbitohs, the Roosters entered the Triangle to never return. Their radar was scrambled, with players throwing passes that missed targets and mythical forces bending flight equipment and George Williams grubbers.
Their impenetrable defence leaked 111 points in the next three weeks and not even the coach was spared, with Robinson bamboozled into obscure positional calls before being dragged by Ricky Stuart into a feud that didn’t exist.
Trent Robinson (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
The Roosters’ demise has resurfaced one of league’s most intriguing enigmas, one that has bemused experts since the dawn of time: why outstanding teams don’t remain outstanding forever and how this can be traced back to certain catalysts, like fatigue or Kyle Flanagan.
As per protocol for disassembled dynasties, the full responsibility is starting to fall with the halfback. Despite being in his first year at the club, while also replacing Cronk and still racking up bulk points, many are suggesting it’s probably time for a change. After all, you can’t tolerate a player who can’t win a three-peat in his first season.
As such, pundits have predicted the club will punt the tired 22-year-old for youthful prodigy Sam Walker, or simply head back to market to regain their bearings by stockpiling more elite talent to arrest a diabolical slide to the depths of the bottom of the eight.
But the question will remain over 2020: was it the uncertainty of a disrupted season? Was the loss of Cronk, Mitchell, Kevin Hastings and Dally Messenger always going to eventually return to bite?
Perhaps it was simply the aged and fatigued? Or something else other than Wayne Bennett?
Nevertheless, if anyone needs us Roosters fans, we’ll be retracing our team’s every movement from the final week of the season to find whoever it was that didn’t respond to the chain letter.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Sonny Bill Williams has been useless for years yet the media think he is incredible, he wasted his last good years in rugby union where he wasn't suited to the game, and never capable of doing anything in a ruck and maul, and now way past it and with rugby no longer interested , rugby league payed him even more. The amount they would have spent on him having someone else worth that money on the field instead of him would have made the difference. This applies 50 fold to Toronto the amount they paid SBW if invested in 5 top quality players they would have been challenging instead being near the bottom.
short memory
Guest
Not to mention a send off that wasn't. You have to ask, if it was JWH tackling a Bunnies player mid play-the-ball in an attacking position with momentum - does he stay on the field?
Nick
Roar Guru
MJ's history? DO please share with us all the other times he's failed drugs test... Secondly, we all know repeatedly, it is only an allegation of a positive test until the B sample comes through. Have you got inside scoop of B sample result that allows you to play judge, jury and executioner!? One rule for souths, one rule for the rest, right? Simple!
steveng
Roar Rookie
If you know MJ's history there are drug use incidents and he tested positive with a definitive test, its not the same with SB that is why I keep saying let a court of law decide "either way" about SB guilt or innocence, simple!
Cyril Snodgrass III
Guest
Rather than blaming Kyle Flanagan for their problems,Easts should zero in on the weakest link.in their squad............winger Mat Ikuvalu in Round 2...against Manly,Ikuvalu loses ball late ....and Sea Eagles win 9-8 in first Canberra game at SCG,Ikuvalu loses ball late and Raiders win in Round 20 against Souths....Ikuvalu lets in 5 tries with a hopeless defensive effort Ikuvalu is simply not of first grade standard..... a sort of Chris Walker type...the hopeless winger who let in 2 tries in the 2003 GF and 2 tries in the 2004 GF
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I didn't get it exactly right and have corrected it below in a reply to Barry Beath. It is true that Johnny Mayes and Kevin Junee swapped clubs but their luck didn't change. Junee was a very good half-back and was unfortunate to play behind the losing pack.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
You weren’t aware of it because it only happened in my mind. I didn’t even have the teams right. :shocked: 1972 : Manly 7. Denis Ward beat Easts 7. Kevin Junee ; 1973 : Manly 7. John Mayes beat Cronulla; Easts didn’t make the semis. ; 1974 : Easts 7. John Mayes beat Canterbury; Junee was the half in Manly team that lost the minor semi-final to Wests. ; 1975 : Easts 7. John Mayes beat St.George; Junee was the half in Manly team that lost the preliminary final to Easts. ; Mayes won three grand finals and Junee played for Easts when Manly were winning and played for Manly when Easts were winning.
Tony
Roar Guru
Wow. That's an interesting bit of trivia I wasn't aware of
Tony
Roar Guru
Isn't the border supposed to be closed?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
A Queenslander I'm guessing :thumbup:
Larry1950
Guest
I was an SBW sceptic after seeing his ordinary efforts pre-finals but have to admit the loss can’t be attributed to him. Cordner ran as hard as ever but never made a dent, looks cooked freddie so keep him in the blues team.
Larry1950
Guest
The fact that Keary & Cordner looked gun shy after their concussion bouts had an impact
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Ha ha. Yes. Sliding doors moment for Johnny Mayes & Kevin Junee with Easts/Manly in the early to mid 70's.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
J Moz is an absolute champ!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I think the two in a row had it's role to play, hence I was boring everyone by telling them to watch J-Moz in the finals, hungry and the most skilled non-GF holder. And I wasn't far wrong, he scored 2 in the loss to Penrith, set up Teddy with a great run and kick, could have assisted the winner if his winger was there and almost scored himself near the death. He couldn't do much more. So I don't know what it was, maybe a bit of everything, but we all should be applauding because even though they went down, they were within a try, kick, couple of minutes or a ball bounce of winning and moving on. Great fighters to the end and shouldn't be ashamed.
Nick
Roar Guru
He shouldn't stick loyal to a club that showed zero loyalty to him. Butcher should leave. He'd be a walk up starter at most other clubs.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Moose you and I do not agree often but I agree about the SBW thing and I do feel a sorry for Nat. I suppose the SBW saga should have been added into my list Robbo's stuff ups. I think Nat will stick loyal and get a decent run next season but he is there for the post Morris twins era and know his time will come.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
And yes, I did mentally note that our downfall did seem to coincide with SBW's arrival. Mere coincidence? Who knows.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Maybe it was other players relying too heavily on him, maybe it was other players feeling miffed because they were overlooked for some aged ex-player who hadn’t been in the game for years You could be onto something Schaeffer. I don't think it was the 'miffed' factor, but you know, as the body gets beaten up and tired, the mind plays tricks on you and you start thinking '2 in a row is enough' and you tend to rely on the bloke next to you, especially if he is a superstar' to pull something out. Thats my take.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
That fairy is the one who said "John Mayes you will win four grand finals as half back for Manly and Easts between 1972 and 1975" and "Kevin Junee you will lose four grand finals as half back for Manly and Easts between 1972 and 1975" .