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| FORMER ROOSTERS JASON RYLES AND BRETT MORRIS APPOINTED TO SENIOR COACHING POSITIONS The Sydney Roosters have today announced two key appointments, with Jason Ryles and Brett Morris to join the Club’s senior coaching staff as NRL Assistant Coaches. Ryles has signed a three-year agreement, while Morris is locked in for the next two years. “Jason is a diverse thinker with a highly-impressive football nous which he has harnessed over the last two decades as an elite player and coach,” said Roosters Head Coach Trent Robinson. “Jason is also a strong relationship builder with huge integrity. I have no doubt that he will contribute significantly to our quest to be better every day and I am looking forward to working with him,” he added. Ryles played 249 NRL games over his 13-year career, 46 of those with the Roosters (2010-2011). He also spent a season with the Catalan Dragons (2009). After retiring at the end of 2013, he captain-coached the Western Suburbs Red Devils in the local Illawarra competition (2014-2015) before joining the Melbourne Storm as an Assistant Coach (2016-2021). He has also worked with England’s national rugby union team since 2016, most recently as a skills coach (2020-2021). Making the transition from player to coach, Robinson was also pleased to have Brett Morris assume an Assistant Coach role. “Brett played more than 300 NRL and representative games and he has an astute mind with a genuine care for making the players around him better. I’ve been fortunate to be able to observe Brett’s keen eye in video sessions and out on the field both at training and in games over the last three years and I’m looking forward to him applying his knowledge and contributing to our development at the Sydney Roosters in 2022,” said Robinson. Ryles and Morris join Matt King as the Roosters’ Assistant Coaches, with King having held the position with the Club since 2017. |
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Cronk backs Sam Walker to reach next level for Roosters
By Adrian Proszenko
February 15, 2022 — 3.13pm
Cooper Cronk believes Sam Walker has physically and mentally matured to the point he is ready to play every minute of every game after the Roosters eased him into his rookie year last season.
Walker was one of the finds of 2021, earning Dally M rookie-of-the-year honours after scoring eight tries and setting up 19. His elevation to first grade was accelerated when playmaker Luke Keary suffered a season-ending knee injury in round three, although coach Trent Robinson was mindful of playing the long game with his teen star.
Knowing the grind of week-to-week football had the potential to take its toll over a long campaign, Robinson opted to either bench or overlook Walker altogether for some games last season.
But with Keary set to return, Roosters consultant halves coach Cronk said Walker is ready to be called upon for every moment of the premiership campaign.
“Absolutely, look at what he did last year,” Cronk said at the Fox League season launch at CommBank Stadium on Tuesday.
“He had flat spots, but even 35-year-old players have flat spots throughout 25 rounds. That’s what the [sports] science is there to try to prevent and navigate through that. The kid can play, he’s super fit and he’s put on a bit of size. He’s ready to go.”
Walker showed he can handle big moments, as evidenced by the field goal he kicked to steer the Roosters past the Titans in the opening week of the finals.
“He’s obviously at the start of his career, but like a few of the other players he was exposed to certain circumstances early on that you can only dream of,” Cronk said.
“Going down to Melbourne and playing at AAMI Park, he’s done that. Playing Magic Round in front of 50,000 people, he’s done that. Playing finals, he’s done that.
“He was clutching on a couple of occasions, so the kid has got to pick up a couple of lessons along the way about physicality, control of the team and decision-making, particularly with the ball and kicking.
“He’s a tremendous kid, I love working with him and he’s had a pretty good summer.”
The Roosters were hindered by injuries and the retirements of stalwarts Boyd Cordner, Jake Friend and the Morris twins, Brett and Josh, last year. Cronk believes the return of Keary will make the tri-colours the team to beat.
“Luke Keary will obviously return from a knee [injury], but he was cherry ripe to dominate the competition before he went down,” he said.
“He’s very influential, a very good player and much respected around the team. I’ve never recovered from a knee injury, he will obviously have some scars and put in the work.
“If you get to the start line in round one and feel confident about the work you’ve done in terms of your recovery you should be able to continue on. Luke, with a little bit of luck, will be back to his best.”
Cronk predicted his two former teams will again contest on the NRL’s biggest day.
“Every year, it doesn’t matter what my position is, I still think the Roosters and Storm will play in the grand final,” Cronk said. “That’s the way I look at things.”
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Did you actually read the article?
Gee the Silverdale Maccas crew are feisty .... Grrrrrrr!
