Round 9 | Roosters 24-6 Knights @ Allianz | Sunday 3pm

[Yosh]

Having both Bedsy and Kidley injured in the same game is definitely testing our depth. Stig gone last week as well...

I don't mind seeing Costigan coming in at hooker and sharing the attacking workload with Darius.

 

[perverse]

i'm disappointed that Bedsy won't be there, but i'm still not too phased. certainly not phased in the slightest about Gids being out - as sad as that is to say because the bloke has bled for us. if we've shown nothing else this year, it's that we really don't rely on any individuals anymore. those excuses don't wash at all. i'm confident that our depth will do a job for us.

i think we'll win this one, and in spite of our injuries will continue to build upon our performances to date. i'm still impressed with our progress. we're a totally different team under Bennett, and his effect becomes more apparent every week. we'll be fine.

it'll be interesting to see if the Roosters can put 2 performances like they had last week back to back. we used to struggle to do so under Smithy.

 

[Pika]

It would be good to see AJ get a run.

His defence is terrible though. An easy target in the Real NRL. Moreso in the Centurions.

I dread to think how his defence will go in NRL.

 

[Frances the Mute]

Whats happened to Stig I thought he would have been next cab of the rank?

 

[Joker's Wild]

Injured. Blood clot in his eye

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/knights-fiveeighth-ryan-stigs-season-in-doubt/2532413.aspx

 

[perverse]

edit - JW beat me to it.

 

[Frances the Mute]

Ouch. Shame he had an aura about him

 

[perverse]

lol, i dunno about aura. he showed some promise for a few matches and then proceeded to get creamed deluxe until the end of the season. has shown promise, though.

 

[doggone]

The Roosters are playing well, but they can be inconsistent like us. Going to be very interesting if we hold on to the ball and play smart it should be enough to get us home. I'd be watching Mini. he wants a NSW jumper.

 

[aqua_duck]

Mini is behind about 5 guys for a blues jumper

 

[The Showstopper]

If Mullo gets over the top of Pearce then it will be intreresting to see which way Stuart goes with the halves. Mullen literally needs to dominate peacre but the forwards need to give him that chance. I believe Mullen is still abig chance and this is why. Last week Peacre did not shut St george down in the last 8 minutes. Pearce cannot shut down games under pressure. Mullo probably is in the same boat. Killing the game is essential against a Queensland mentality that does not relent given the slightest chance.

The winner of this duel may well decide the halfback spot. The real question is does Mullen's superb defence hold him in the game still. Mullen gets 80 minutes on the weekend to show why he belongs in origin as the perfect compliment to Carney's explosive attack. I think Mullen is a better option cos Pearce will want the ball far too often and take Carney out of the game. I think quietly stuart wants Mullen to displace Pearce through sheer desire and form. For no other reason than to just finally have someone grab the origin concept as being about giving it everything cos you want it more.

Pearce has one win from six starts. Horrendous stats for an origin half. It is a joke that he gets another shot without being put out to pasture to improve his reason for being there. Somewhere inside Jarrod Mullen lies the player who can be the pain in Queenslands arse. Stuart needs to roll the dice. Not rely on the safe bet becuase he has allegedly no other options. Hell if it was my call it would be Wallace but he appears to have been brushed completely. Mullen can do the job. I think we are being too harsh when we say he can't get there again. It was origin 2007 that started his problems anyway. The kid wants the chance to redeem himself. Redemption is the strongest force on earth if you are chasing it.

 

[Rolla]

If Mullo gets over the top of Pearce then it will be intreresting to see which way Stuart goes with the halves. Mullen literally needs to dominate peacre but the forwards need to give him that chance. I believe Mullen is still abig chance and this is why. Last week Peacre did not shut St george down in the last 8 minutes. Pearce cannot shut down games under pressure. Mullo probably is in the same boat. The winner of this duel may well decide the halfback spot. The real question is does Mullen's superb defence hold him in the game still. Mullen gets 80 minutes on the weekend to show why he belongs in origin. I think quietly stuart wants Mullen to displace Pearce through sheer desire and form.

Pearce is the better halfback imo. He isn't a bad defender either. Not saying he is a better player but he should get the nod at halfback.

I think the only way Mullen will play origin this year is if Carney gets injured tbh.

 

[RABK]

I am willing to bet the profits of recently selling my house that Carney and Pearce were locked in as the NSW halves after city country and Mullen is no chance of changing that even if we win 60-0.

 

[Big Tim]

I am willing to bet the profits of recently selling my house that Carney and Pearce were locked in as the NSW halves after city country and Mullen is no chance of changing that even if we win 60-0.

I will take that bet.

I will bet you this orange and red button I found today.

I know that it seems this bet is a little one-sided, but even though I have grown to love this button in our time together, I am willing to let it go if I am wrong.

 

[The Showstopper]

For the record I do not consider Mullo a halfback but when has that ever stopped NSW selectors? Carney is the 6.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I reckon Pearce will get "owned" if selected for SOO. He'll be a target. While I doubt Mullo will get the spot I reckon he could stand the barrage better.

 

[Johns Magic]

Mullen's defence is overrated and Pearce's is underrated. There is not the massive difference between them that people are implying.

 

[RABK]

Pearce is a better defender than Mullen. He handled Thaiday with aplomb last year. That's something a lot of forwards can't say let alone a halfback.

 

[bluesbreaker]

Pearce is a much better defender than Mullen. He's got a lot of Joey in him about his defense, front on he is excellent.

I guess mullen is faster but that would be th only thing he has over pearcey.

 

[RABK]

Pearce is off contract in 2014. We should chase him.