Predicted Finish: 5th
Actual Finish: 4th
There was always a chance that the Roosters would fall from their lofty heights in 2020 after losing two genuine megastars. Although they did, we all knew they'd still be there or there-abouts. A pretty predictable season in all honesty. They're too good to not be top four/five.
2. Lowlights
- Out in straight sets: It's strange to see the Roosters not feature on Grand Final day. For them to exit the competition without a final's win feels almost unbelievable. It's not as though they embarrassed themselves, losing only by a point to the red hot Panthers before losing a tight one to the Raiders. That said, this is a side who expects to win the big games. Despite what they lost, there was still more than enough talent here to fend off the tiring Raiders.
- Horror loss to rivals: Fans of the tri-colours won't need reminding but they were absolutely ruined on the final night of their regular season to the tune of 60 points to 8 at the hands of the Bunnies. The 10 tries to two mauling had everyone completely writing off the Chooks for the finals, and rightfully so. It became such a park run for the Rabbitohs that they were literally deciding who would score tries. Alex Johnston ran in five tries as the Roosters stars were reduced to spectators.
- Slow Start: If the Roosters were going to make their mark in 2020 sans Cronk and Mitchell, their best bet was to hit the ground running. There was always going to be a midseason slump in games their megastars would have otherwise won for them. Unfortunately, the Roosters start was the exact opposite. They fell, as big favourites, to the Panthers in Round One before dropping a scrappy loss to the unfancied Sea Eagles in Round Two. The Covid break helped them regroup, as well as add Josh Morris, and they looked a different side afterwards. If that break hadn't have happened, who knows?
