The Roosters’ season bottomed out with a 30-6 humbling at the hands of Penrith on a night of drama on the field that might well have ramifications in the Origin arena.
Blues star Liam Martin departed with a Category 1 concussion after catching the hip of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, leaving him stood down until the day of Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium, if he passes all return to play protocols.
Waerea-Hargreaves might also miss time after connecting with an elbow on Moses Leota that also saw him leave concussed, with the Match Review Committee now tasked with judging intent.
Jared wasn’t keen on hanging around further: he threw a water bottle at future teammate Spencer Leniu, sparking a brawl and earning both a trip to the bin. Leniu should avoid suspension, but it’s unlikely that the Roosters enforcer will.
On the field, the contest had ended much earlier. It’s a strange sight to see the Roosters, in their brand spanking new stadium, as an underdog. Yet after losing 48-4 in Penrith a month ago, that was undoubtedly the case. By the end, it had been double underlined.
The Panthers raced out of the blocks and the pressure built and built: they were running at two sets to every one for the Roosters and capitalised via Stephen Crichton’s try.
“I thought the boys were really sharp,” said Ivan Cleary. “We started the game well, didn’t quite get the scoreboard kicking over but Marto’s line break was the result of a lot of pressure and we started the second half the same way.
“We played the style that we wanted to and in the end I was really happy with the performance.”
Any time you can beat the Roosters, it’s a feather in your cap. It’s a great achievement and we’re stoked with it.
As far the scoring went, however, that was it. It would be a push to suggest that much attack came the other way – indeed, 75% of the game was in the Roosters’ half – but they were hanging on.
By the 25th minute, you could throw a blanket over the Roosters at times. Their fatigue levels reflected how much defending they’d been forced to do, and indeed, where they had been forced to do it.
Eventually the dam broke, and it broke badly. 15 minutes either side of the break was enough to put the game beyond doubt, with tries from Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo and Izack Tago.
The Roosters much discussed attacking problems were there for everyone to see, and they were doing well to get anywhere near the Panthers’ line, let alone put on any serious threat to score.
Their only chance in the first half was through a piece of chaos footy that caught the Panthers expecting a kick on the last. James Tedesco did eventually get over, but again, it was hardly structured play, rather one excellent piece of individualism.
“We are not firing enough bullets at the moment,” said Trent Robinson.
“We are not scoring enough tries and we are not even pressuring teams enough at the end of sets. We are not getting held up. We are not getting repeat sets. We are not getting any of that at the moment.
“It is difficult to apply pressure and that puts pressure on your defence. Our defence should have held up for longer periods than it did and we didn’t.
“It’s a challenge and you enjoy it. You want to be different but that’s what we are here for. We are not here just for the good times.
“We are here to find a solution. It is on me to find a solution and I enjoy that part of it.”
In his pre-match media on Friday, Robinson pointed to this as a potential inflection point for his team, but this was nothing of the sort.
Back in Round 11, on the back of their horror loss, he said “In the middle of a competition, you never get too down because you get a chance to turn it around and we have to do it quickly.”
They had the chance, but missed it badly. Back then, Robinson highlighted effort areas and attitude, but tonight, it wasn’t that. It was skill and organisation, allied to a near-total lack of confidence.
Though the Panthers put on some superb football, they were enabled to by indifferent attack that never seriously challenged the Penrith line.
Yes, there are players out. Most teams would miss the likes of Brandon Smith, Victor Radley and Joseph Suaalii. Sam Walker is out, and it is a crying shame, because his inventiveness is exactly that the side are currently missing.
But this is still a team with stars and they look all out of ideas. Tedesco and Keary are trying their hearts out but can’t do it alone. Structurally, there are massive issues in off-ball play that are denting the ability to create in attack.
Joey Manu, one of the most devastating players in the world, is badly out of form and offering next to nothing from five eighth. He looks like the squarest of pegs at the moment.
Robinson has to have serious conversations about his side’s attack – and not for the first time this year.
Defensively, there were aspects to be proud of, particularly in the first half, but if you never throw back, it just keeps coming.
It was the meeting earlier in the year that saw Jarome Luai secure his Origin spot, and he certainly wouldn’t have expected having to secure it again so quickly.
Yet with Nathan Cleary injured, the knives were out again, with many questioning why the Panthers five eighth was needed given the prevailing notion that he was selected as a combo with his halves partner.
As is so often the case, Luai answered back immediately. Now partnered with Jack Cogger, he assumed the role of senior playmaker – as he has for Samoa – and played both sides of the field, destroying the Roosters for the second time in two months.
There were two try assists, but crucially, only four runs: when Luai is needed to be the passing guy, he can do that too. Beyond the last touch moments, he also set up moves that other players iced and, of course, did so in a manner near-perfectly designed to wind up opponents.
Brad Fittler loves Luai and, realistically, was never not going to pick him. Add in that Cody Walker missed Souths’ game earlier with injury and it became more secure. Turning in a performance like this, of course, doesn’t hurt his case either.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Agreed, thats why it's worth doing. Thats why the Roosters invest heavily in junior development and have a tiny junior league. They scout elsewhere and find the talent. Having players on your doorstep is handy, but Panthers have always had that but did nothing with the it. Three of their best, Edwards, JFH and Yeo are not from the local area. You have to search everywhere and then coach them. Burton was scouted from Dubbo. Each club only has one Flegg, Reserve grade, Harold Matthews and Presidents cup team. You can fill them with players from anywhere. It's what happens when they start their development journey that makes the difference.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
There you go. Now how many Panthers juniors are in the Roosters, Bunnies, Sharks, etc 30 man squad? Maybe 1 or 2 max. The best juniors tend to stay with the club they've been developed at and make their 1st grade debut.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Fletcher Baker has been playing NSW Cup for Norths Drew Hutchinson was a Junior Kangaroo & Captain of the NSW under 20's in 2014/2015 as a half He is the type of player Bellamy would pick up and transform same as Nick Meaney
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
In the current squad of 27 players, 21 were from the Panthers system. Last year add Staines, Korasaiu and Kikau and 22 were juniors, Kikau made his debut with the Panthers and 8 were from other clubs.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Hi Pomoz, How many players in last years 30 man squad came through the Panthers junior system?
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Muzz, they don't own them. Any team can sign a player from a local junior competition. A junior club might be sponsored by the Panthers and play in the local Penrith competition, but any NRL team can sign a player from a Panthers district junior team. As I said, clubs find excuses for not spending money on coaching and development because it's hard and it takes time. Too many have relied on trying to sign players from other clubs instead.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
The nursery I was referring to was the Panthers. "the worlds biggest junior rl nursery" That belongs to the Panthers. It's there in black and white! Never did I mention The Eels, Knight and Raiders.
langparker
Roar Rookie
With due respect to a wholehearted player, there’s no way the roosters progress far in finals (if they actually qualify) when you have Hutchinson playing centre or any key position. Looks like the recruitment & retention of the ratbag element (Lodge, Smith, Radley) is starting to hurt them. Has Robbo ditched Fletcher Baker after he signed with the broncos from 2024? Don’t see him in the injury list or turning out in the reserves so must be a dummy spit by the roosters coach, he certainly couldn’t have defended any worse than what the roosters turned out yesterday. Hope they release him immediately, my mob could do with an extra young tough forward for depth given origin can throw up problems when you’ve got a bunch of participants across both squads. What’s happened to Joey Manu, his form has fallen off the cliff since that tweaked ankle?
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
The part that isn't true is that having a big nursery helps. It doesn't if you can't develop talent and don't invest in it. The Panthers couldn't make the semi finals for ten years straight. The Eels, St George, Knights and Raiders all have big junior pools. I will repeat again, there is absolutely nothing stopping a Manly scout driving to Penrith on a Saturday and watching the St Clair Comets, Cambridge Park and St Mary's juniors and signing up the best talent. The Panthers signed JFH from NZ. Clubs always have excuses for not doing the work and spending money on talent. They want instant results. It takes years of coaching and development to create an NRL quality player.
Dutski
Roar Guru
As long as Suaalii is on the wing I’m with you.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
What part isn't true? I'm looking forward to your apology!
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
I wish that were true. The Eels, Knights and St George Illawarra also have huge junior pools to draw from and the Panthers have had a huge pool of juniors since 1967 and struggled to make the semi finals for years. It's not the volume, it's what you do with them. The Roosters dominated the NRL for a 10 years with a small set of juniors and still produced quality players. At the end of the day, every team can only sign the same number of players in their squad. There is nothing stopping any team sending scouts to any part of Australia to watch kids play and sign them up. Suallii is from Glenmore Park and therefore is a Panther junior. South's signed him before the Panthers could.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I’ll probably get hounded down by Roosters supporters but I don’t think they’ll make the 8. Robbo seems to be coated with teflon.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Mike, you should go harder and be more direct. Who cares if the coaches like you.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Lots of questions raised and answered in this game. Raising the bumpers is an acceptable practice and hit opponents with an elbow isn’t regarded high on the dangerous contact scale. Maybe JWH has done it for that long it’s acceptable. Obviously squirting water and tossing a water with some trash talk is far worse? Is Tedesco really the best fullback or is Dylan Edwards a far better all round superior fullback and player? Is Nathan Clearly that good or are the Panthers just a very good football team with a few extremely talented players making him look good? Is Trent Robinson a great coach or did he just steal on of Bellamy’s elite generals? Did Cooper Cronk make Robinson and a few other players resume much better than they should be? Ivan Cleary has certainly got the coaching gig down pat that’s for sure. What are the outcomes of this week’s MRC going to be? It would appear whacking players after the ball is gone was only for Queenslander (Hess, Kaufusi, Gilbert) rule.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
I am stunned the RLPA has not stepped in here. These independent doctors and coaches are playing Russian roulette with the players health. And not a word from Clint Newton.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Odds on that Liam Martin goes through the “independent” specialist & gets cleared to play origin 2. Those guidelines are only appropriate until expediency overrules them, bit like V’landys letting that panther winger serve his two game suspension in 2023 and freeing him up for the 2022 GF (for the fans). Not sure why that rule didn’t apply to Kaufusi prior to origin 1, or is it just a Penrith perk?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
The Sydney centric press continue to install the Sydney Roosters as favourites for the flag - up there with the Panthers, Rabbitohs and Storm - but as Tom has suggested since 2019 they have spectacularly failed to deliver. The form slide in 2023 went into over drive when coach Robinson sacked young Sam Walker. Joey Manu is a stand in 5/8 not a starting 5/8. And now the collective confidence of the squad is shot. The coach needs to take responsibility for this. The Brandon Smith recruitment hasn't worked with 800 or 900K sitting on the bench, And I can't remember a worse looking Roosters backline with blokes like Billy Smith and Drew Hutchinson filling holes. Until I see see Tedesco, Suaaili, Manu, and Tupou occupying 4 of the back 5 I'll be keeping away from them in the tipping comp.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
That's the easy part. Develop a system that works and push them through. Lather, Rinse, Repeat
Tom G
Roar Rookie
That’s true but Cleary and crew still had to develop those juniors into stars through their system.