http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19846538-23214,00.html
ROOSTERS legend Arthur Beetson has tagged Josh Lewis the bargain buy of the season.
Lewis joined the Roosters at the start of the year after being cut by St George-Illawarra on the code's minimum pay - $40,000 - one-tenth of the salary Braith Anasta commands at the club. The one-time Pyrmont colt who played all his junior representative football with the Tigers, has had to bide his time for his chance in the top flight. Coach Ricky Stuart elected to take it slowly with the youngster, who has a strong kicking game. He did not blood Lewis until five weeks ago, punting on Lewis to fill the role previously filled by State of Origin halfback Brett Finch. But a sudden loss of form by Finch in this year's second Origin game against Queensland opened the door for Lewis.
"I didn't think I'd get a shot at first grade this early," Lewis said. "Maybe one game on the back of the season. Ricky has shown a lot of confidence in me."
Lewis has repaid Stuart's faith, to the point that not only has Finch been relegated to the bench but also the club's former No.1 half is looking elsewhere for a job next season. Even going up against the Sharks former Test halfback Brett Kimmorley last weekend didn't faze the youngster, helping the Roosters to snap a six-game losing streak.
"You have to remember it was only Josh's fifth game of first grade and he handled it very well," Stuart said. "This time next year at this stage of the season he's going to be an even better player. He played very smart against Cronulla. He faces another tough test against the Bulldogs this weekend. The nice thing about coaching Josh is what he's learning from the coaching staff he's transferring it out onto the park of a weekend."
Beetson says Lewis has a bright future.
"I reckon he's got the best kicking game at this club since (Kevin) Horrie Hastings 20 years ago," Beetson said. "It's so important in today's game that you have a smart kicking game and a long kicking game, and Josh has both."
Lewis, 20, began the year with the Roosters in Jersey Flegg, playing with players his own age. But Stuart opted for the untried Lewis in the No.7 jumper after successive losses to Parramatta and Melbourne.
Brought up in a block of flats in a public housing estate in one of the tougher streets of inner-city Pyrmont, Lewis first came to the attention of the Tigers. His determination was evident at an early age, and not merely in the sporting arena.
Fifteen years ago when developers wanted a high rise on James Watkins Reserve, one of the few parks in Pyrmont, a young Lewis and his friends fiercely fought the plans. The children led protests against the development. They petitioned then Sydney Lord Mayor Frank Sartor, and had the development overturned. Pyrmont kept its park, the kids kept playing footy there, and many years on the Roosters are thankful for both.
So, his kicking game is better than Soward's, is it Artie? What has happened to the Golden Child recently, is he out injured? I've never seen anything to make me think Soward is anything more than maybe a FGer but Lewis has shown quite a bit more.
ROOSTERS legend Arthur Beetson has tagged Josh Lewis the bargain buy of the season.
Lewis joined the Roosters at the start of the year after being cut by St George-Illawarra on the code's minimum pay - $40,000 - one-tenth of the salary Braith Anasta commands at the club. The one-time Pyrmont colt who played all his junior representative football with the Tigers, has had to bide his time for his chance in the top flight. Coach Ricky Stuart elected to take it slowly with the youngster, who has a strong kicking game. He did not blood Lewis until five weeks ago, punting on Lewis to fill the role previously filled by State of Origin halfback Brett Finch. But a sudden loss of form by Finch in this year's second Origin game against Queensland opened the door for Lewis.
"I didn't think I'd get a shot at first grade this early," Lewis said. "Maybe one game on the back of the season. Ricky has shown a lot of confidence in me."
Lewis has repaid Stuart's faith, to the point that not only has Finch been relegated to the bench but also the club's former No.1 half is looking elsewhere for a job next season. Even going up against the Sharks former Test halfback Brett Kimmorley last weekend didn't faze the youngster, helping the Roosters to snap a six-game losing streak.
"You have to remember it was only Josh's fifth game of first grade and he handled it very well," Stuart said. "This time next year at this stage of the season he's going to be an even better player. He played very smart against Cronulla. He faces another tough test against the Bulldogs this weekend. The nice thing about coaching Josh is what he's learning from the coaching staff he's transferring it out onto the park of a weekend."
Beetson says Lewis has a bright future.
"I reckon he's got the best kicking game at this club since (Kevin) Horrie Hastings 20 years ago," Beetson said. "It's so important in today's game that you have a smart kicking game and a long kicking game, and Josh has both."
Lewis, 20, began the year with the Roosters in Jersey Flegg, playing with players his own age. But Stuart opted for the untried Lewis in the No.7 jumper after successive losses to Parramatta and Melbourne.
Brought up in a block of flats in a public housing estate in one of the tougher streets of inner-city Pyrmont, Lewis first came to the attention of the Tigers. His determination was evident at an early age, and not merely in the sporting arena.
Fifteen years ago when developers wanted a high rise on James Watkins Reserve, one of the few parks in Pyrmont, a young Lewis and his friends fiercely fought the plans. The children led protests against the development. They petitioned then Sydney Lord Mayor Frank Sartor, and had the development overturned. Pyrmont kept its park, the kids kept playing footy there, and many years on the Roosters are thankful for both.
So, his kicking game is better than Soward's, is it Artie? What has happened to the Golden Child recently, is he out injured? I've never seen anything to make me think Soward is anything more than maybe a FGer but Lewis has shown quite a bit more.
. I think Holdsworth gets his buy of the year tag pretty convincingly ;-) . IMO Orford hasn't even proven that he is worth anything near the amount he is on.
