NRL 2012- 15th Position!

Every season, there is a team who just finds a way to lose a match. Last year it was Canberra, this year it will be the Sydney City Roosters. Brian Smith will be the first coach shown the door. Unfortunately for Roosters fans, it has been a downhill slide since their remarkable 2010 season. Last years 11^th place finish as well as several off the field discretions and incidents really caused much disappointment in Bondi.

To the Roosters credit, they have managed to clear the “trouble-makers”, but in doing that, they have also left massive holes within the first team squad. Todd Carney will be a huge loss for the Roosters, despite his rather inconsistent and troubled season. Nate Myles, one of the first players picked for a QLD origin Jersey every year will also be a massive loss, as well as experienced Jason Ryles and Phil Graham.

I do expect the Roosters to fire up for the typical big game matches v Canterbury, St George and Brisbane, but this will definitely be a rebuilding year for the men from Bondi

The Key Signing- A lot of young players are labeled the next big thing and often fail to make the grade. However Jack Bosden has the perfect opportunity to take the bull by the horns and become the enforcer in the Roosters pack. The ability to play both in the Front and Second Row will come to the Roosters advantage. Hopefully the young man will get the support from fellow forwards as he develops his game to become a top class first grade footballer

The Key Loss- Whilst losing Todd Carney will hurt the Roosters, I do feel the ability of Nate Myles will be a far greater loss.  With so much experience under his belt, Nate Myles at the tender age of 25 still has his best years ahead of him. Nate would have been the perfect man to take on a leadership role, but it looks like his off field indiscretions have caught up with him, a move back home to Gold Coast who will be a far greater squad with his capture.

Strengths- A halves combination with a point to prove. This will be Daniel Mortimer and Mitchell Pearce make or break season. Both carrying the burden of a name of a footballing great and both with undeniable ability. However inconsistency and a lack of confidence in individual ability has been their downfall in recent seasons. The Roosters will need both guns firing if they have any chance to claw further up the table

Weakness- Pace and Discipline. One of the most penalized teams in 2011, the Roosters will need to shape up. Teams can’t afford to be giving away 30-40m every second or third set of 6. The lack of pace within the Roosters squad has been well documented over the years.  The counter-attacking brilliance of Shaun Kenney-Dowall will be relied upon, but support will be needed

The X-Factor – Braith Anasta needs to step up and prove he still has what it takes. Possibly starting at lock this season, Braith needs to become the extra play maker, stepping in to mix things up. Braith has always been known as a “runner” and needs to take on that line. Mixing it up with his long passing game will cause doubt and take a lot of pressure of the young halves.

One to Watch- Mose Masoe will be up their come the end of the season when it comes to deciding the Hit of the Year. One of the hardest hitters in the game, Masoe’s defence will need to be at it’s best. Look for more minutes for the big man this season as he aims to establish himself as a First Grader Footballer and earn a cap for the Kiwi’s.