For all the injuries, suspensions and farewells the Sydney Roosters have endured in 2021, coach Trent Robinson knows the setbacks can only make his NRL club a stronger outfit going forward.
The Roosters’ season came to a disappointing end in Mackay on Friday, thumped 42-6 by a merciless Manly team in the first ever semi-final to be played in the north Queensland town.
Friday’s performance at BB Print Stadium left a bitter taste in Robinson’s mouth but he could only reflect on the achievement of reaching the second week of finals in a year when so much has gone wrong for his team.
Leaders Boyd Cordner, Brett Morris and Jake Friend weren’t on the pitch, the trio all having called time on their NRL careers during 2021 as bodies failed them.
Luke Keary and Lindsay Collins? Their seasons ended in Round 3 with ruptured ACLs.
Teenage sensation Joseph Suaalii’s rookie year ended with a foot injury while Joseph Manu’s cheekbone was busted on the eve of the finals.
The hits kept coming leading into Friday’s must-win final with Sam Verrills suspended and Siosiua Taukeaiho sidelined with injury.
It’s a recipe Robinson admits he’s never before had to deal with as a head coach.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
“It’s the craziest coaching year I’ve had,” Robinson said.
“To retire absolute legends of the game. To see the injuries that we’ve had.
“Every game was a new combination and a new task, but the attitude of the guys to go about that was incredible, every week was ‘rightio, we can do this’.”
In the absence of so much talent, new stars have emerged including teenage half Sam Walker and Robinson says the experience and responsibility given to those players can only be a positive for the Roosters’ future.
“We’re a greater Roosters club than what we were at the start of 2021, now at the end of 2021,” he said.
“They’ve done our club proud the way the way that they’ve gone about it and we’re a stronger club because of the way that they’ve acted this year.
“We’re a better team because of the way we handled this season.”
Joister
Roar Rookie
Thanks for update on Sharkies ... a few weeks back I was trying to tally up injuries to other teams to get a comparative - I think Storm were down for a few weeks, I know Bunnies were (i think down 8 at one stage?), Penrith a few including that stint with no Cleary, etc... - didn't know Sharks had those players out for that long
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Give him a team who is tipped by many including some from their own club to win the spoon because the roster is so average and has no hooker, is flogged in the first 4 rounds but still makes the top 4 and you could suspect he's the only coach who could do it as well. The Chooks had a good season considering the injuries but they also ran out with a superior roster to their opponents on many occasions as well, which shows how strong the roster was before injuries took hold.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
The 5 biggest money earners were out of the Sharks lineup for most of the season and were beaten a whisker for a finals berth..Graham, Johnson, Moylan, Fifita, Dugan, then Mulitalo, Pele and Hunt..there’s at least 60% of the cap…not to mention a coach punt and payout …not a word spoken, no bleating, no $40 k in accumulated fines for abusing match officials, just getting on with it. Robbo’s an excellent coach, but he’s no angel nor is he battling unique challenges with his roster.
mushi
Roar Guru
Have you ever been honest mig
Poss
Roar Rookie
Say what you want about Trent Robinson but what he had to deal with this year losing Friend,Cordner,Keary,Collins,BMoz,Copley,Smith,Taukeiaho,Suaali,Butcher & Joey Manu,I don't think any other coach would of handled it as good as Robbo..Wayne Bennett & a few other coaches could learn a few manners & how to conduct a decent press conference without being rude & arrogant from him..I for one want to see Trent Robinson at the Roosters for many,many more years..Personally I think Trents an absolute legend!!!
Texasman
Roar Rookie
Unbiased and balanced as usual
Joister
Roar Rookie
good to see you up BigMig
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Crighton should have apologised to the coach he was that bad for the money he is on
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Give any coach that roster and beating the 8 teams below you in 2021 wouldn’t be too hard. Roosters pretenders, Robbo whines, the NRL changed the age rule in 2021 for the rorters and $uaallii, went on a high tackle crusade because of the rorters, and then backed off leaving Radley on the field after 4 high shots just to pacify the rorters. They were gifted the Titans game with a few illegal blocks and a Verrils non sin bin. Bye bye Robbo, and wonder if your chairman is teary now?
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Curious if the Roosters chairman had tears in his eyes?
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
It’s easy to see how he gets the best out of his players, and why they want to play for him.
Poss
Roar Rookie
He's an absolute Gentleman,a few other coaches could learn from him ( 3 coaches comes to mind) I personally hope we have him for many,many more years!!!
Joister
Roar Rookie
What I liked about Robbo's press conference was his acknowledgement of the NRL - I get there were alot of frustrations this year (and last) and some hard challenges that the NRL had to face and work through - and listening to Robbo describe the effort they went to for the players, partners, to keep the game going for the season ... I for one am so appreciative of having been able to watch my weekly fix of footy. I'd also like to ditto his words on JMoz ... so good to see him receive a standing ovation.