I went to pick my young fellow up from after-school sport the other week. One of the other dads was there wearing a Canberra Raiders shirt, so I wandered over and asked how he thought the Green Machine would go this year.
Our chat was fairly amicable until I mentioned that I was a Roosters fan. Of course, the infamous 2019 grand final came up. I’m used to jibes about the trainer being on the field in the third minute of the game, and because I’m diplomatic didn’t point out that it’s all academic now.
What surprised me though, was the firmly held, and even more firmly expressed opinion that the trainer being on the field was part of a cunning plan by Trent Robinson. This fellow indicated that Robbo as a coach really makes his blood boil. As he’s the coach of the club that I support, and a successful coach at that, I had assumed that other team supporters would hold him in high regard, or at least grudging respect. Not so.
Trent Robinson. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
According to this Raiders fan, Robinson is – and I am paraphrasing here to keep this family-friendly – a ‘Sneaky Pete’ who will do anything to win a game of football. Now because I am, I repeat, diplomatic, I chose not to launch into an impassioned defence of the Roosters coach, or into a revenge sledge of all things Ricky Stuart. Instead, I did something unusual in this day and age. I listened.
As I did, I heard what it was like to see Robinson as a coach, through the eyes of an opposition fan.
The criticisms included a willingness to concede penalties, cynically so, pressuring the referees through post-match press conferences, and failing to rein in the hotheads and loose cannons in the forward pack.
Surprisingly, recruitment and the salary sombrero didn’t rate a mention. It was all about Robinson as a coach. And on the whole, he was right on the money. Robinson has done all of those things. As a supporter, I can see all of that.
It is no surprise that the Roosters’ premiership run ended with the six-again era. Without the ability to reset the defence on the back of a conveniently conceded penalty, the famed Bondi wall has been somewhat porous. Robinson isn’t shy of sharing his thoughts on officiating in the post-match interviews. He’s not the worst. I wouldn’t call him a whinger, but he’s not perfect either.
Victor Radley and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves both seem to get tacit approval from their coach. “We love the way he plays the game” is an attitude expressed more than once. I’m not sure I place blame for the trainer getting in the way in the grand final squarely on Robinson’s shoulders, but I have no doubt he was out there on Robinson’s say-so.
It was a different experience, looking at things from that alternate viewpoint. I wouldn’t say it revolutionised my thinking. I still see Robinson as the best coach the Roosters have had in the NRL era, because of his success and also because of his calm and no-nonsense demeanour. At least in my eyes. He doesn’t strike me as being a ‘Sneaky Pete’ who would do anything, but perhaps there is a willingness to thoroughly test the boundaries of what’s legal and what’s not.
So while I could see his point, I’m not sure we will end up agreeing. It was a good thought exercise though. And just as an aside, you may have noted that some of the things that got under my Raiders-supporter mate’s skin might be things others accuse Ricky Stuart of: post-match presser rants and failing to rein in hotheads like Hudson Young or Corey Horsburgh. I could have pointed this out to him. I didn’t. Because I’m diplomatic.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Robbo bashers will point to Cronk captain-coaching the Roosters to 2 comps. However Cronk obviously liked what he saw at the Roosters or he wouldn't have signed. He was smart enough to break out the vintage red wines for Brandon Smith's signature and was repaid yesterday in Vegas.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
That’s a very selective memory. Things that we love & support are usually at the front of our minds. Do you remember the years that the Storm won the GF? :laughing:
Ben Pobjie
Expert
No, that’s not all I remember. I remember the 1988 Bicentennial celebrations, the 2007 election, the ending of The Sixth Sense, and several other things. However, I thought that possibly running through every single thing I can remember might make my comment too long to achieve maximum entertainment value for readers, so I just commented on the subject at hand rather than everything that I possibly could have.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Seriously. Supporter of the Kings of every wrestling hold & slow the ruck down move. Plus wrestling holds aimed at injuring opponents. That’s all you remember? Bellamy never cared if any of those things gave away a penalty. As long as they slowed every opposition play the ball down.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Rubbish hey…JWH broke RCG’s jaw deliberately & got a man of the match award in the same game. Wont take much of a look to find that footage. You know, the guy that it’s been really difficult to give any suspensions to, despite anything he’s done in games repeatedly over years. No supporters of any other club has challenged my comments, about the Roosters.
criag
Roar Rookie
Yes, thanks for he Jennings correction. The rest is rubbish, but have a great season!
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Yes, Penrith will struggle more. The possible star halves & other players have been bought over the last few seasons by other clubs. As well as the players that have helped win a couple of GF’s. They won’t be buying any top line players. There’s your differences, from one club to your Roosters. So the buying in of top paid players & top juniors, ( as well as developing juniors from Queensland & the Central Coast ). Is always going to enhance the coaches reputation at your Roosters. It’s just easier if you always have the money & the available players.
Dutski
Roar Guru
The vision was to have a young Jackson Hastings play alongside Pearce in 2016. With Pearce out for an extended run it left Hastings and Jayden Nikorima. It’d be like when Luai leaves Panthers next year if Cleary also misses half the season. Agree that Robbo has had an excellent squad pretty much all along.
Dutski
Roar Guru
That’s grandparenting. Love em, even if you don’t agree with em
Poss
Roar Rookie
Great article Dutski I really enjoyed it Thankyou.. Being told how everyone hates the Chooks is something we ROOSTER fans have to endure..I have a Son in Law that accuses me of indoctrinating my Grandchildren but I just tell him he's too slow,I join them up to being Chooksters a week after they are born...Unfortunately out of seven Grandchilren I've lost one to the Rabbitohs & one to the Dogs.. :shocked: :laughing:
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Son You're a relative newbie, so I'll go easy on you. Besides, there's a new Roosters article out, so knock yourself out.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Momerovski is a top line , top paid player according to you. Which shows how much any comment of yours is worth! The only spinning , is happening in your mind . :laughing:
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Son, Spin it however you want. Being over the hill, broken and not good players is very subjective and just your opinion. What is fact is that the majority of those aforementioned were internationals and premiership winners when your mob signed them- they are objective, cold hard facts. I could just as easily say signing a 35yo Cronk was signing an over the hill chump or SBW who had been in the wilderness playing RU for many years when we signed them.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
I already replied to your slim pickings buys for Penrith over a decade ! A few you only barely managed to fit into a decade . Off the top of your head! :laughing: Thanks for backing up my last comment, with that list of mostly over the hill, broken & not that good players . ( Other than Korisau who they originally bought as a one year rookie ) . Merrin & Tahmou were alright! That’s about it. Momerovski, top paid & top line player. Ha, Ha, Ha! :laughing: Still nothing to do with my original comment. As long as you’re enjoying yourself . :thumbup: ( My apologies if my original reply pops up here, as it didn’t do straight away ).
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Off the top of my head, Penrith have bought/poached the following players in the last 10 years. I've even put their status when they were poached: Brent Kite (Manly) - Aust.rep, premiership winner, Clive Churchill winner Jamie Soward (St George) - SOO rep, premiership winner Trent Merrin (St George) - Aust rep, premiership winner James Tamou (Nth Qld) - Aust rep, premiership winner James Maloney (Cronulla) - SOO rep, double premiership winner Zane Tetavano (Easts) - NZ rep, premiership winner. Helped Penrith win a premiership. Api Korisou (Souths) - Fiji rep, Paul Momirovski (Easts) - Helped Penrith win a premiership. So that's 2 of our players that your mob poached who helped youse win a premiership. Note. This is off the top of my head.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Which top line , top paid players do Penrith buy each year. That would be virtually none. Despite losing many of their own . There’s the difference between them for example & the Roosters . ( Which by the way had nothing to do with my original comment . You should read things more carefully. Before racing off on some other tangent ). :thumbup:
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Easts buy good players just like every other club including Penrith. Do you deny this?
Panthers
Roar Rookie
There’s nothing but truth in my first comment. ( The one that you still haven’t made any kind of real argument against . You must have forgotten already ). They buy lots of the best players. Have always done that. The coach looks better, as top buys bring success. Not my problem that you can’t see or admit to the obvious , when it’s your precious Roosters.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Whose comment are you commenting about? You've made so many dumb comments about Easts, not sure I wanna waste any comments on yours.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
They are only rated well within a club, if they gain success for the club. Penrith might have thought that Barrett was a good coach & allowed him to coach there twice. Other clubs had other ideas about his coaching. Whether that was his fault or more the problem with the available talent at those clubs at those times . Or the club hierarchy. Who’s to say exactly?