2017 NRL Season Preview - Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters 2017 NRL Season Preview
2016 Review - The Roosters experienced a nightmare 2016 finishing in 15th position after winning three straight Minor Premierships between 2013 and 2015. Signs of the Roosters’ potential decline were there in the 2015 off-season as they lost the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney and Michael Jennings, key ingredients of their 2013 Premiership winning side. Coupled with Mitchell Pearce's 10 week ban for poor behaviour, and Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves missing the first two months through injury, it's fair to say the Roosters started the 2016 season in a hell of a mess. The Roosters lost 9 of their first 11 games which effectively ended their season before it had really begun. Despite being competitive in a number of those losses, the Roosters fell on the wrong side of the ledger in too many close games.
The Roosters made 263 errors last season which was by far the most of any team in the NRL, as well as conceding 576 points which was 276 points more than they conceded the previous season. They were also the worst road team in the NRL outside of the Knights, winning just 1 from 12 games away from Allianz Stadium. However, in a season of much upheaval there were some promising signs for Roosters fans with the side giving 11 players a First Grade debut including boom rookies Latrell Mitchell, Connor Watson and Joseph Manu. The side also finished the year with the second most tackle breaks and the third most offloads, highlighting they were competitive and dangerous with the football.
2017 Gains - The Roosters two main off-season signings were Michael Gordon from the Eels and Luke Keary from cross town rivals South Sydney. Gordon might be lacking the zip he had a few years ago, however he is a tough, reliable and experienced fullback and winger. He will also fill a crucial hole as the Roosters goal kicker, as last year they really struggled with their goal kicking which cost them a number of close games. Luke Keary is a diminutive tough little five eight with a good running game, which should complement Mitchell Pearce nicely. Keary had fallen out of favour at Souths and started several games from the bench last season, however I expect him to bounce back this year and start the season in the Number 6 jumper for the Roosters. The Roosters also picked up hot headed back rower Paul Carter from the Rabbits. If Carter can channel his aggression on the field, and stay on the straight and narrow off the field, he could well prove a decent addition to the Roosters. Other signings for the Roosters included Liam Knight (Manly), Zane Tetevano (Wyong Roos), Brendon Santi (Blackhawks) and Mitch Cornish (Eels).
2017 Losses - Unlike last season where they lost a stack of talent, the Roosters have managed to keep a hold on all their big name players this off-season, with really only Jackson Hastings (Manly) departing. Hastings had had some promising displays in the five eight role for the Roosters, however some off-field issues and some inconsistent football last year saw him deemed surplus to requirements. With Keary, Watson and Cornish all halves, there seemed little room for Hastings and perhaps he decided it best to move on. Sam Moa (Catalans) had been a wonderful and undervalued servant of the Roosters for many years in the front row, always playing above his weight, however looked to be just about on the slide as he decided to head over to the English Super League. Other losses for the Roosters included Tyler Cornish (Titans) and Vincent Leuluai (Storm).
2017 Player To Watch - Connor Watson - I was super impressed with Watson in his debut season in the 16 games he played. Watson managed 8 line breaks, 5 tries and 70 run metres per game, filling in everywhere from the interchange bench to fullback and eventually to five eight. He seemed equally comfortable in all those roles and I think the Roosters need to find a place for such a dynamic player in their starting side. That could well be in the centres this year, however it would be a real luxury having a player of Watson's quality coming off the bench and injecting his running game and energy to the team. Watson has speed to burn and, while I think his running game is his best quality, he showed real class and composure with his passing and kicking game in leading the Roosters to the Auckland Nines’ title this season.
2017 Draw - (Favourable) The Roosters have a good start to get off to a flyer in 2017 with 4 of their first 5 games being in Sydney. Games against the Titans, Bulldogs, Panthers, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles are not the most daunting start, and the Roosters will be desperate to atone for their shocking start to the season in 2016. The Roosters also do not play a Top 4 side from last year until Round 12 giving them a real platform to get a jump start on other sides. Where they are hard hit is with 5-day turnarounds - the Roosters have three of them which is the 2nd most in the NRL behind the Rabbitohs.
2017 Verdict - 2nd (17 Wins)
I really believe this side will bounce back in a big way this year. I think their coach, Trent Robinson, would have learnt a lot from last year, and some of their senior players like Pearce, Cordner and Hargreaves will really bounce back and have a point to prove. The Roosters were lacking a goal kicker and a stable halves pairing last season and they have addressed both those issues by signing Michael Gordon and Luke Keary. With rising stars in Latrell Mitchell, Connor Watson and Joseph Manu in their backline, the Roosters are chock full of depth and quality to go with the likes of Blake Ferguson, Shaun Kenny-Dowell, and Daniel Tupou.
I also like their pack with the likes of Napa and Hargreaves providing that intimidation factor, along with solid workers like Cordner, Guerra and Aubusson. If injuries hit, the Roosters appear to have more depth than plenty of clubs in the NRL, particularly in the outside backs and the halves. I just think that last year, what could go wrong, did go wrong, and this side have the quality and crucially, the power and motivation, to really excel this season and make the Top 4. Many people might have them as a fringe Top 8 side given their disastrous year last year, however I think they are better than that.