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Warrick Nicolson | 07/02/08
AUDIO - Willie Mason on becoming a Rooster
STATE OF PLAY
If there was any reason to think the Roosters second half surge wouldn’t carry over into 2008; there isn’t now.
Adding big name recruit Willie Mason to the prior purchases of fellow Bulldog Mark O’Meley and Storm rake James Aubusson has strengthened the team considerably.
The Roosters turned around a seemingly lost season to finish 10th after the instalment of rookie coach Brad Fittler (they won five of eight to end the year) in place of the heavily maligned Chris Anderson mid-year.
Now after three seasons of futility following three straight Grand Finals, the Roosters’ brass believe the club is on the upswing once more.
Last 3 Finishes:
2005: 9th
2006: 14th
2007: 10th
ROSTER ROUND-UP
South Sydney-bound Craig Wing (and to a lesser extent fellow defectees Chris Flannery and Ashley Harrison) will be missed but the team definitely takes on a more ominous look with Mason and O’Meley on board.
The club can field up to ten Origin or Test representatives in their top squad, and there are at least two more future New Zealand Test players in the mix in Setaimata Sa and Lopini Paea.
But just because you’ve represented doesn’t always guarantee a long successful career, just ask Anthony Tupou and Nate Myles, two players who have played high end rep football but have simply not kicked on as expected.
On paper the forwards are the equal of nearly every other pack in the NRL.
Headline acts Mason and O’Meley, are complemented by ‘Mr. Reliable’ Craig Fitzgibbon as the backbone of the unit.
The depth chart is impressive, with holdovers David Shillington, Danny Nutley, the Paea brothers (Lopini and Mickey), Tupou, Myles and flame haired Shane Shackleton on the roster.
James Aubusson will get first crack at the starting hooking role, and if his 2007 fill-in performances for Cameron Smith are anything to go by, he will do a great job.
His younger brother Mitchell looks destined for a utility role off the bench and may end up spelling James during games. The cupboard is a little bare now that George Ndaira has signed with South Sydney, with only former Knight Riley Brown having First Grade experience at hooker.
At fullback Sam Perrett had a second half to remember, going onto represent his New Zealand at Test level.
But that won’t be enough to keep his position as soon as Anthony Minichiello is available for selection. Plagued by back injuries the past two years, Minichiello will be happy to just get back on the field in 2008, let alone try and reclaim his NSW and Australian jerseys.
Perrett will shift to the centres or the wing when everyone is healthy.
The Roosters may look to partner two more Kiwis in the centres with Iosia Soliola and Setaimata Sa an intriguing combination.
Soliola is recovering from a horrific patella tendon injury and may miss the start of the season. Shaun Kenny-Dowall will also be in the mix, along with Brent Grose who returns from the UK Super League for another crack at the NRL.
The halves combination appears set with Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce looking to expand on the partnership they formed in 2007.
Anasta could take his game to a whole new level this season, but we’ve been waiting for him to do that for a several years now, so what’s another 12 months?
He can play some inspiring football at times but the Roosters need him to rise to the occasion every week.
There will be pressure on Pearce’s playmaking ability to be a difference maker and if he can swim, the Roosters will be sitting pretty with a very capable scrumbase duo.
STRONGEST LINE-UP
1. MINICHIELLO, Anthony
2. ROBERTS, Amos
3. SOLIOLA, Iosia
4. SA, Setaimata
5. PERRETT, Sam
6. ANASTA, Braith
7. PEARCE, Mitchell
8. O’MELEY, Mark
9. AUBUSSON, James
10. MYLES, Nate
11. MASON, Willie
12. FITZGIBBON, Craig
13. TUPOU, Anthony
14. SHILLINGTON, David
15. NUTLEY, Danny
16. PAEA, Lopini
17. AUBUSSON, Mitchell
FEARLESS FORECAST
A completely healthy Anthony Minichiello and a confident Mitchell Pearce are non-negotiable factors if the Roosters are to make any sort of push for the title.
In fact the team’s playoff chances may similarly be linked to the fortunes of both players; such is their importance to the side.
If the weight of expectation proves too much for everyone, the side could tumble down the ladder. However, with the way things seem to have fallen into place for the club in 2008 already, disappointment appears unlikely.
PREDICTED RECORD: 13-11
PREDICTED FINISH: 6th
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