Make no mistake, there will be no repeat of the 2016 horrors suffered by the Roosters in 2017 and beyond.
Last season was over before it started following long-term injuries to Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and suspension to Mitchell Pearce before the season even kicked off.
Luke Keary has been drafted into partner Pearce, who shone on his return to the game, but wasn’t given the consistent support needed by the now departed Jackson Hastings.
Michael Gordon is a brilliant signing, allowing Latrell Mitchell to continue his NRL development in the centres, with far less pressure on him.
A successful nines campaign and a good pre-season hit out against the Sea Eagles, will have them in a brilliant position to hit the ground running in 2017.
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Weakness: Mistakes a plenty
Does any side in the NRL, perhaps other than the Knights, have a mistake in them quite like this Roosters side?
Shaun Kenny-Dowall, for all his brilliance, has an insane ability to lose the ball, while Ferguson, Mitchell and Tupou are hardly players you’d trust with your life when it comes to mistake free games.
Waerea-Hargreaves and Napa, for all their dominance, give away far too many penalties, something that has become an unfortunate trademark at Bondi over the years.
They need to cut out the turnovers and leg ups if they’re going to fully realise their 2016 potential.
Strength: Bash ‘em front rowers
Is there a more intimidating front row combination in recent memory than that of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Dylan Napa?
Is there a better font row combination in the competition, or the game for that matter, than the aforementioned players?
I honestly don’t think there is, and I expect the two brutal front rowers to dominate in a big way in 2017.
Their ability to lay a foundation will allow the likes of Pearce, Keary, Mitchell and Gordon, to have a field day, while causing plenty of sleepless nights for opponents.
Best Player: Mitchell Pearce
Pearce’s absence was felt last season in a huge way by the Roosters, who struggled to get going in the early season.
It is no coincidence that the Roosters return to form coincided with his return to the game, with players all around him becoming far more dangerous as a result.
Luke Keary’s arrival will ease the pressure on the number seven, allowing him to focus more on quality rather than quantity, which was needed in 2016.
There are few better number sevens in terms of dictating a game. His kicking game is spot on, his running game dangerous, and his ability to put attackers through the line is lethal.
Pressure On: Michael Gordon
Michael Gordon may go down as one of the most underrated players of the modern generation when it comes time to finally hang up his boots.
His time at the Sharks, during a horror time for the club, saw him named Player of the Tear on more than one occasion, while he provided plenty during his time at the Eels.
Although Latrell Mitchell is the long-term number one for the tri-colours, a season or two in the centres, away from the pressure of the custodian role, may prove to be his making.
Gordon’s goal kicking will improve the Rooster’s conversion rate, and his ability under the high ball is better than that of both Mitchell and Ferguson.
Good signing, but the presence of the aforementioned Mitchell and Ferguson, as well as members of the 2016 NYC champions, will mean the pressure to maintain his spot will be immense.
Prediction: 9th
The fact I have predicted the Roosters to finish outside the eight is more due to the abilities of sides above them, rather than any great struggles expected at Bondi.
The backline of Gordon, Tupou, Ferguson, Mitchell and Kenny-Dowall is one that will produce plenty of highlights in 2017.
Keary’s signing and the presence of the supremely talented Connor Watson is a huge improvement in the halves from the struggles following Maloney’s departure.
With a forward pack capable of matching anyone on any given day, I may very well rue the decision to leave the Roosters out of the eight.