Premiership Odds: (via betting.club): $7.00
Big Outs: Michael Jennings, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, James Maloney
Big Ins: Dale Copley, Joe Burgess
The Roosters enter 2016 on the back of three straight Minor Premierships, although the makeup of their side will be far different to the side of 2015.
Their recent move to sign Dale Copley while releasing Michael Jennings raised some eyebrows due to Jennings success in the tri-colours, but I believe that is a choice with future deals in mind.
Joe Burgess is a brilliant signing after scoring tries for fun in the English Super League. Although the quality of the NRL will demand a more consistent level of performance, he certainly has the talent.
It’s a real sign of a team’s strength when they can lose world class superstars and still have a squad capable of winning the title.
Key Player: Mitchell Pearce
For all the social media jokes about Pearce’s Origin record, people often forget that he is a brilliant halfback, and the driving force behind a juggernaut Roosters side.
He will have a new halves partner in Jackson Hastings so the pressure will be on for him to show the youngster the way, but he now has over 200 NRL and 15 Origin games experience to call on.
Pearce has lost some weapons in the backline but still has more than enough warriors to lead into battle.
If anything, Joe Burgess slotting in on the wing adds another route to the try line as he his leaping ability is right up there with Tupou on the opposite wing. They will score plenty of tries from cross field kicks this season if Pearce can land them well.
Young Gun: Jackson Hastings
20 year-old Jackson Hastings has massive shoes to fill as he replaces James Maloney in the number six at Bondi.
Rooster’s fans will be excited having seen some brilliant signs from the youngster in 2015, especially when standing in for the injured Mitchell Pearce.
Many young players lack confidence to call the shots when playing in the halves, but Hastings is not one of those players.
Fans will have to be patient but the upside here is very, very exciting. Hastings seemed to show he had all the tools in his early games, so given time, he may be something very special.
Best Signing: Joe Burgess
The 21 year-old Englishman just pips former Broncos winger Dale Copley to the honour on the back of 49 tries in just 55 games in the ESL, as well as three caps for England.
Many readers won’t have seen the former Wigan flyer in action but from experience I am willing to say, this kid can certainly play.
Looking at his record it’s safe to say he knows his way to the try line, and with all due respect to his former halves, he’s never had a player of Pearce’s ability pulling the strings, which makes him even more dangerous.
Far from the kind of winger who scores his tries by simply catching and running in untouched, Burgess can break defensive lines wide open from anywhere.
Strength: Brilliant forward pack
As far as forward packs go, the Roosters possess arguably one of the best. Unofficial pack leader JWH improved yet again in 2015 and showed once again if he can cut out the silly moments, he is one of the premier props in the world.
Sam Moa and Dylan Napa are two of the most intimidating forwards going around, while Evans, Aubusson and Liu off the bench offer plenty of impact.
In the starting second row they have two Origin mainstays and Taukeiaho earned a New Zealand cap at the end of 2015.
A fearsome forward pack, an all-star second row and one of the best benches in the competition. They certainly aren’t light up front.
Weakness: Big turnover will take time
Blake Ferguson, Dale Copley, Joe Burgess and Jackson Hastings are in no way a weakness persay, but even the best players take time to settle.
Blake Ferguson is a NSW rep in the outside backs, but he hasn’t played a whole lot of fullback in recent years, and will have to learn the role.
Dale Copley is a monster and a brilliant signing, as is Joe Burgess, but both combinations in the Roosters outside backs will need time to learn to develop.
You never really want to play the Roosters, but as a fan I’d be hoping to draw them early while they’re still working on their combinations.
Strongest 17:
1. Blake Ferguson
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Dale Copley
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
5. Joe Burgess
6. Jackson Hastings
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
9. Jake Friend
10. Sam Moa
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Aidan Guerra
13. Siosiua Taukeiaho
14. Dylan Napa
15. Kane Evans
16. Mitchell Aubusson
17. Isaac Liu
Prediction: 5th
Despite the players that have left the club, the starting 17 still looks like a side that can challenge anyone on any day, but I’m not sure they’re up to securing a fourth straight minor premiership.
Blake Fergsuon is going to need time to adjust to his new role at fullback, while Joe Burgess will need time to settle in a new competition.
Jackson Hastings looked great last season when partnered with James Maloney, but Pearce is a different player, so they will also take time to settle in.
When it comes down to it, the list of outs is just too big to see them being able to match their 2015.
They’ve lost three of the best attacking players in the competition and as good as the replacements are, they’re not RTS, Jennings and Maloney.