This is the transcript from our upcoming Podcast. Listen to it here: Keep your Motor Running....
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Keep your motor running...
Hello Rooster Boosters and welcome to another installment of Rpod - the original and unique Sydney Roosters Pod cast on the net.
Firstly thanks to the kind words from our Rugby League Site members who have been actively subscribing to our pod cast and commenting in our forums.
In the last episode we discussed the player movements for NRL season 2006. This week we will analyze our likely starting 17, their strengths, weaknesses and how they will combine to bring results for the club, hopefully at the end of the grueling 26 rounds grabbing a semi finals spot after dropping out for the first time in 10 seasons in 2005.
Well, there's a lot that's been said regarding the trials and tribulations of our halves predicament. And Im sure next season will bring more discussion on that point. But historically the halfback is only one element that contributes to the success, or failure of a Rugby League Team. It doesnt matter if the halfback is Andrew Johns, Alan Langer, Steve Mortimer or Kevin Hastings. Actually with the exception of Johns and "Horrie" Hastings, the others are the perfect examples of why they were so effective and dangerous...they all played behind formidable forward packs.
Pigs like Lazarus, Tallis, Civinaceva, Dowling made life for Alf Langer easy. Mortimer had forwards like Robinson, Hughes, Peponis and Kelly grafting hard for Turvey to excel. The room afforded by a forward pack that actually goes forward is essential for a halfback to be able to weave an attacking play.
If you want results on the scoreboard, you need to start with a roll-on. No not Kojak Kennedy's chrome dome. More like hard, straight meter eating, gut busting, ligament stretching thigh blasting leg driving yardage. Runs that not only advance the play or to quote the NFL, promote the football "carry", but hurt the defenders in that moment and dent the defensive structure.
On the other hand, a good strong engine block also provides attack in defense. The 2002 Premiership winning Roosters forwards were often outsized but rarely out muscled. Their attack was their swarming, uncompromising defense.
And the magic they exhibited came from a pack full of youth and determination that was unyielding, tireless, and punishing.
So what do Easts look like for 2006? Dont know about you but Im a little concerned. Concerned that if we are relying on forward dominance to provide a platform wide and deep enough for our playmakers to carry out the attacking plays, we may be coming up a little short.
But hang on; we didnt have size in 2002. Yeah well size is deceptive, and what we lacked we made up in freak factor. Let me remind you all of the following: Phillips....Fittler......Mullins.
There are several similarities with now and then. But there are still 3 years of shock to deal with, and in a way, the passing era of those mentioned along with the loss of "scarred warriors" like Ricketson, Crocker, Catic, and Cayless gets us back to the future. We are once again facing a season with a young, less experienced forward pack, but one that can reproduce the 2002 vintage with the correct coaching bringing out the required enthusiasm to once again outmuscle more favoured opposition.
Lets take a look at our likely engine room:
At lock - a given and the most secure spot in the pack and one I feel 100% confident with is Ashley Harrison. New recruit means he'll bring a new sense of enthusiasm. A young future International, future club captain, and brings something we lack, another football brain to the mix.
The back row - And Ill include starters and depth. Toupu, Flannery, Plum, Schubert, Williams and Dumas. Already we can see the experienced ranks have thinned out, but the young remnants like Toops and Flannery have the big game experience, if they can shake the mental fatigue and stigma of back to back losses in 03 and 04. But with Plum, Schubert, Williams, and Dumas we have the required zest and depth to cover the spots. Import Mark Edmonson can slot in here and at Prop, but Im discounting him in 2006 until he can acclimatize to our conditions.
The front row - This is where I worry a little. Starters will be Morley, Doyle and if he can pick up where he left off, Dave Shillington. Coming off the bench Id have Charlie Tonga, but only if we have ironed out his handling problems and Mickey Paea.
There are 2 key players here that I believe will not be used as we have been accustomed to seeing them. Firstly Ive named Doyle as the starting Hooker, because there is a chance Craig Wing will either play off the bench where he has been the most destructive in the past 3 years playing at the backend of each half and running riot at tiring defenses, or he could well be wearing the number 7. But lets not go there yet.
The other missing notable is Craig Fitzgibbon. I believe he will be used as a front rower in 2006. Possibly starting in the front row and dropping back to the back row for Tonga or Paea at the interchange. Im keen tosee what Ronnie Palmer does with Fitzy's frame over the summer. We've lost up and coming props in Hannant and Rose, so we are looking the thinnest in that department at the moment. Glenn Hall is the other recruit from South Sydney who I hope will respond to a change in climate and fill some of the prop void.
The backline is second to none, even with our halfback dilemmas.
Fullback - Anthony Minichiello - no need to say anything here, we and the world now knows how good he is.
Wings - Roberts and Monaghan - No matter what anyone else says, take it from Melon...nothing wrong with these 2 provided they are played correctly. They arent battering rams and need quality ball something they were both starved of in their first year at the club.
Centres - I believe we will have the best centre pairing in the NRL in 2006. Soliola and Cross...scary when at their best and take their calcium supplements.
5/8 - and new head of playmaking - Braith Anasta. I said in the last pod cast that I wasnt convinced in Anasta yet. He's got a ton to prove but Im happy he will take over calling the shots, something Finch proved he couldnt do without crumbling in 2005. If early trainig is any indication, then Anasta will be great in 06. He has looked sharp, fit and in control thus far at training.
Halfback - Finch to start the season there - Wing or Soward to finish it. And when everyone's not looking, throw Josh Lewis in the mix. Make no mistake, this kid can probably start and finish the season in the 7 ahead of everyone.
But the success of the halves will rely on the forward platform. Opposition fans will look at us and say....smaller pack. The key here isnt size. Its the mix of names mentioned earlier and their ability to step up and drop the hangover from 03 and 04.
Maybe missing out in 05 was a blessing in disguise. Maybe the only way we were going to break a losing hat trick. Maybe the psychological blood letting required to recover.
Im a bit worried about our forward, particularly the lack of proven front row depth.
But Im happy to be proven wrong by a bunch of blokes who step up and have a go.
So how will we go in 2006...you are kidding. Too early for Melon to call. But a lot of things hang on the decisions Ricky Stuart makes. And I for one know and hope the way back for us is innovation and surprise. Stuart must find the element of surprise again. Maybe that element lies in our less favoured forward pack?
So think about that until our next pod cast. Speaking of which if you have any ideas you wish published in our pod cast, drop us a line at admin@therugbyleagusite.com or leave a comment in the pod cast area.
So thanks again for listening Rooster Boosters, this is Melon signing off for another week, and until next time remember, when in doubt...
Go Easts....see you all next week.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Keep your motor running...
Hello Rooster Boosters and welcome to another installment of Rpod - the original and unique Sydney Roosters Pod cast on the net.
Firstly thanks to the kind words from our Rugby League Site members who have been actively subscribing to our pod cast and commenting in our forums.
In the last episode we discussed the player movements for NRL season 2006. This week we will analyze our likely starting 17, their strengths, weaknesses and how they will combine to bring results for the club, hopefully at the end of the grueling 26 rounds grabbing a semi finals spot after dropping out for the first time in 10 seasons in 2005.
Well, there's a lot that's been said regarding the trials and tribulations of our halves predicament. And Im sure next season will bring more discussion on that point. But historically the halfback is only one element that contributes to the success, or failure of a Rugby League Team. It doesnt matter if the halfback is Andrew Johns, Alan Langer, Steve Mortimer or Kevin Hastings. Actually with the exception of Johns and "Horrie" Hastings, the others are the perfect examples of why they were so effective and dangerous...they all played behind formidable forward packs.
Pigs like Lazarus, Tallis, Civinaceva, Dowling made life for Alf Langer easy. Mortimer had forwards like Robinson, Hughes, Peponis and Kelly grafting hard for Turvey to excel. The room afforded by a forward pack that actually goes forward is essential for a halfback to be able to weave an attacking play.
If you want results on the scoreboard, you need to start with a roll-on. No not Kojak Kennedy's chrome dome. More like hard, straight meter eating, gut busting, ligament stretching thigh blasting leg driving yardage. Runs that not only advance the play or to quote the NFL, promote the football "carry", but hurt the defenders in that moment and dent the defensive structure.
On the other hand, a good strong engine block also provides attack in defense. The 2002 Premiership winning Roosters forwards were often outsized but rarely out muscled. Their attack was their swarming, uncompromising defense.
And the magic they exhibited came from a pack full of youth and determination that was unyielding, tireless, and punishing.
So what do Easts look like for 2006? Dont know about you but Im a little concerned. Concerned that if we are relying on forward dominance to provide a platform wide and deep enough for our playmakers to carry out the attacking plays, we may be coming up a little short.
But hang on; we didnt have size in 2002. Yeah well size is deceptive, and what we lacked we made up in freak factor. Let me remind you all of the following: Phillips....Fittler......Mullins.
There are several similarities with now and then. But there are still 3 years of shock to deal with, and in a way, the passing era of those mentioned along with the loss of "scarred warriors" like Ricketson, Crocker, Catic, and Cayless gets us back to the future. We are once again facing a season with a young, less experienced forward pack, but one that can reproduce the 2002 vintage with the correct coaching bringing out the required enthusiasm to once again outmuscle more favoured opposition.
Lets take a look at our likely engine room:
At lock - a given and the most secure spot in the pack and one I feel 100% confident with is Ashley Harrison. New recruit means he'll bring a new sense of enthusiasm. A young future International, future club captain, and brings something we lack, another football brain to the mix.
The back row - And Ill include starters and depth. Toupu, Flannery, Plum, Schubert, Williams and Dumas. Already we can see the experienced ranks have thinned out, but the young remnants like Toops and Flannery have the big game experience, if they can shake the mental fatigue and stigma of back to back losses in 03 and 04. But with Plum, Schubert, Williams, and Dumas we have the required zest and depth to cover the spots. Import Mark Edmonson can slot in here and at Prop, but Im discounting him in 2006 until he can acclimatize to our conditions.
The front row - This is where I worry a little. Starters will be Morley, Doyle and if he can pick up where he left off, Dave Shillington. Coming off the bench Id have Charlie Tonga, but only if we have ironed out his handling problems and Mickey Paea.
There are 2 key players here that I believe will not be used as we have been accustomed to seeing them. Firstly Ive named Doyle as the starting Hooker, because there is a chance Craig Wing will either play off the bench where he has been the most destructive in the past 3 years playing at the backend of each half and running riot at tiring defenses, or he could well be wearing the number 7. But lets not go there yet.
The other missing notable is Craig Fitzgibbon. I believe he will be used as a front rower in 2006. Possibly starting in the front row and dropping back to the back row for Tonga or Paea at the interchange. Im keen tosee what Ronnie Palmer does with Fitzy's frame over the summer. We've lost up and coming props in Hannant and Rose, so we are looking the thinnest in that department at the moment. Glenn Hall is the other recruit from South Sydney who I hope will respond to a change in climate and fill some of the prop void.
The backline is second to none, even with our halfback dilemmas.
Fullback - Anthony Minichiello - no need to say anything here, we and the world now knows how good he is.
Wings - Roberts and Monaghan - No matter what anyone else says, take it from Melon...nothing wrong with these 2 provided they are played correctly. They arent battering rams and need quality ball something they were both starved of in their first year at the club.
Centres - I believe we will have the best centre pairing in the NRL in 2006. Soliola and Cross...scary when at their best and take their calcium supplements.
5/8 - and new head of playmaking - Braith Anasta. I said in the last pod cast that I wasnt convinced in Anasta yet. He's got a ton to prove but Im happy he will take over calling the shots, something Finch proved he couldnt do without crumbling in 2005. If early trainig is any indication, then Anasta will be great in 06. He has looked sharp, fit and in control thus far at training.
Halfback - Finch to start the season there - Wing or Soward to finish it. And when everyone's not looking, throw Josh Lewis in the mix. Make no mistake, this kid can probably start and finish the season in the 7 ahead of everyone.
But the success of the halves will rely on the forward platform. Opposition fans will look at us and say....smaller pack. The key here isnt size. Its the mix of names mentioned earlier and their ability to step up and drop the hangover from 03 and 04.
Maybe missing out in 05 was a blessing in disguise. Maybe the only way we were going to break a losing hat trick. Maybe the psychological blood letting required to recover.
Im a bit worried about our forward, particularly the lack of proven front row depth.
But Im happy to be proven wrong by a bunch of blokes who step up and have a go.
So how will we go in 2006...you are kidding. Too early for Melon to call. But a lot of things hang on the decisions Ricky Stuart makes. And I for one know and hope the way back for us is innovation and surprise. Stuart must find the element of surprise again. Maybe that element lies in our less favoured forward pack?
So think about that until our next pod cast. Speaking of which if you have any ideas you wish published in our pod cast, drop us a line at admin@therugbyleagusite.com or leave a comment in the pod cast area.
So thanks again for listening Rooster Boosters, this is Melon signing off for another week, and until next time remember, when in doubt...
Go Easts....see you all next week.
