Season Review: Sydney Roosters

Pre-season prediction: 6th

Actual finish: 15th

Although many predicted that the Roosters would slide from the impossible heights of their past three seasons, no one saw their fall from grace being so sudden and severe.

If not for a woeful Knights side, the Roosters realistically could have fallen from multiple-time minor premiers to wooden spooners in the space of 12 months.

The decision to not throw everything at James Maloney in order to retain his services proved to be an absolutely shocking decision, as the Roosters finished the season with the man named as his replacement in NSW cup while Maloney lifted the premiership trophy.

Mitchell Pearce’s pre-season brain explosion cost the side massively, while injuries to Boyd Cordner and JWH proved setbacks that the club could never recover from.

Star player: Boyd Cordner

The fact that a player who missed the majority of the season can even be considered as 2016’s best shows where the Roosters are at right now, but the fact is Cordner was an absolute monster on his return.

Things could have been far different if Cordner had not been struck down by a horror pec injury in the pre-season, as his return seemed to lift everyone around him.

He broke tackles, and the line, scored tries and made monster metres, everything expected of a player of his calibre, and he did it with minimal fuss.

Corder really is the consummate professional and has a huge role to play going forward as he looks to lead his side back to the NRL promised land.

Season highlight: 32-16 win over the Broncos (Round 21)

The Roosters had bigger wins in 2016 (42-6 over the Dragons, 38-0 over the Knights) but their Thursday night destruction of one-time NRL title favourites the Broncos, showed exactly what this side can do when they are switched on.

Dale Copley showed Wayne Bennett what he missed out on by allowing him to move to the tri-colours, scoring two tries and generally threatening throughout.

Boyd Cordner was amongst the Roosters best, as he was in every game he suited up in 2016, making big metres, scoring a try and busting the Broncos wide men apart.

The Roosters halves dominated proceedings with the boot, making 199 extra kicking metres. Mitchell, Ferguson and co seemed to have magnets strapped to their chests and made plenty of kick return metres.

It was far from clinical, they still made 13 errors, but this was a rare highlight and again a reminder of what the side is capable of against even the best in the business.

Best signing: Michael Gordon

Choosing Gordon over the likes of premiership winning half Luke Keary or future star Liam Knight may seem crazy but in Gordon, the Roosters have signed the exact model of player they need going forward.

There is no denying that a string of off-field problems has plagued the club over recent years. The signings of Carter, Knight and Tetevano are risky given their pasts.

There is no risk in signing former Origin utility Michael Gordon, who remains one of the game’s best role models both on and off-field. He also remains a more-than-handy player on the field too despite being the wrong side of 30.

Gordon, whether at fullback or on the wing, will provide an experienced and calm head in a sometimes erratic Roosters back five. With his ability to support the halves, his composure under the high ball, and big game experience, Gordon’s signing seems like a brilliant, albeit, short-term decision.

The Positives

Latrell Mitchell: The youngster was thrown into the NRL deep-end as the Rooster’s new number one after the departure of RTS and the early season wobbles in the position by Blake Ferguson. Scored some of the NRL’s highlight reel tries and generally threatened in attack. He has much to learn but in terms of raw talent, this kid has it in spades.

Halves options: The Roosters now have three options in terms of a halves partner for Mitchell Pearce going forward. Connor Watson and Luke Keary are the obvious choices now that Jackson Hastings has fallen out of favour. All three are young and full of talent. With Pearce at the helm from the start of the season, it should be a far less turbulent season.

Ryan Matterson: Although I’m not sure exactly where he fits into the Roosters 2017 side, he will certainly be there somewhere. He could realistically play anywhere in the backline, or perhaps at lock, or off the bench, but he has a huge future ahead of him, and speed to burn.

Season Grading: F

I can’t see any Roosters official or fan being able to put a positive spin on what was a season from hell for the inner-city club.

They were thumped by arch rivals the Bunnies on their opening day, were winless in the first month of competition football, and never threatened the resurgence needed to feature in September.

The club needs better from their experienced players on and off-field. They can’t afford any more off-field distractions, especially given their decision to recruit three players sacked from their former sides due to disciplinary reasons.

Maloney’s loss was brutal, however, in Connor Watson they have an exciting potential replacement with a big future ahead of him. Latrell Mitchell is one of the best young players in the competition.

It all comes down to the experienced players setting the right example and allowing their young, talented players to develop. If they can allow the focus to remain on the field, they’ll fly back up the NRL ladder in 2017.