Colonel Eel said:
In most posts people have not made allegations. Sure some have but most have voiced legitimate questions about the playing roster that the Roosters have managed to accumulate.
I believe the term developed rather than accumulate is more applicable.
But before all you "Home Grown" hoo haa's join the arguement, let me make this clear. Three years ago no one knew Flannery, Hegarty, Crocker, Byrne, etc... The only player of elite standing was Fittler. Sure we had "elite" players come and go such as Mullins but they never stayed. This is no different to any other team.
This where all Roosters fans seem annoyed when questions are raised on the "legitimacy" or "validity" of the Roosters playing roster. Not sure about anyone else, but to me this is the same as questioning the Roosters Salary Cap.
In 2000 when the Roosters made the GF I don't think anyone questioned it then. Why, because the Roosters were for a large part dependant on Fittler, a one man team if you like. Year 2003 & 2003 saw the emergence of unkown talents and all of a sudden you guys put a price tag of 200K+ on them.
Now going back to Goulds arguement. Once these emerging talents fulfill their contracts 2-3 years down the track it would be difficult for the Roosters to keep them. Some will be released such as the case for Sing, Lam, Fletcher, etc...
I can't answer for Phil Gould but I would assume that the Roosters are somewhat frustrated that they would like to offer contracts to some of the players which have left as well as offer a substancial upgrades to the existing roster but can't not because they can't afford it but its because they are constrained by the cap.
Coaches & clubs that won't comment on these are the ones who have plenty under the cap but can't spend because of financial constraints. It's what avoids them from fielding a reserve grade side each week.
It really stinks that there are people out there that would love nothing better than to stick it to the Roosters and not really give them credit for what they have achieved given the demographics of the club.
See through the facade fo Cafe's and Designer Label shops and you will find a battler. A club on paper should have no reason to exist let alone compete in the the GF.
Yes, we have very little to offer so far as "Home Grown" talent is concerned. But if you consider the talents developed over the years such as Mini, Flannery, Hegarty, Byrne, Webb, Crocker, Cusak, etc... Some of which you guys would be cheering on during rep games. It's not bad considering they play for a club in a small pocket of Sydney.