Hate. It's a strong word. It has a lot of meanings and it has a very strong meaning. Hate comes in various shapes and sizes, various forms, various feelings. It's caused by significant events that have happened in the past. Hate is a strong word and I don't use it often. But you know what? It's simply not strong enough to describe how I feel, how we feel, about the Roosters.
That's right!! It's game day!!! What a massive occasion it is tonight as we go up against our arch-rivals, our bitter rivals, in Round 3. Playing the Chooks is a big occasion on it's own but when you add in the fact that it's our first game at home since Round 14 last year, Cookie's 150th NRL match, and we really need a win; This game becomes absolutely massive tonight. It's as big as it gets for a Regular Season match. Huge occasion.
It's going to be a big challenge for us tonight, there's no doubt about that. I hate to say it, but the Roosters do have one hell of a side that will be right up there competing for a Premiership this year. As much as we hate them, we do somewhat respect them too and I'm sure they feel the same about us. The Roosters just have so much strike across the park with stars everywhere. Most notably Tedesco, Keary, Manu, and then a forward pack that includes JWH, Crichton, Collins and Radley. Absolutely despise them but you do have to agree with the quality of their side. We're going to have to be on our game right across the board to counter them tonight. I do think that with a bit of weather, this game will be won in the middle third and our forwards need to stand up and stick it to them.
As I've said, tonight is a massive occasion for us. What a game to have a homecoming and despite the weather, I hope we get a bumper crowd! I hope everyone that can make it, does! We need as much Red and Green out there as possible!! We really need a win tonight, you don't need me to tell you that. We've started the Season pretty poorly and have gone 0-2, I'd love to make it 1-3 tonight. And if this game doesn't get the boys fired up for it, nothing will!! It's the biggest rivalry in the game so I'm expecting a very fired up performance from us tonight. We need it. Hold the ball, complete your sets, execute and keep that defence tight. Build on last week. If we can do that, I think we give ourselves a chance.
There's been a lot of talk in the media this week from both sides about not getting drawn into the emotion but I have no doubt that once the players cross that white line, it'll be all on. There'll be fireworks no doubt. There always is and this game will be fueled by what happened last time we met. Something will happen again, you can almost bank on it and I just hope none of our boys do anything stupid.
114 years of bitter rivalry now. I don't care what anyone else says, I despise these wankers and I make that very clear every time we play them. Another chapter is about to be written in the Book of Feuds. Whether you're at the game or watching from home, fire up and scream your lungs out!! Let's gooooooo!!!!
