Why it’s a pleasure to beat once-were-Roosters: Ivan Cleary first, Ricky Stuart next

It’s always good to knock off a club that has former Roosters in their coaching staff. Phil Gould transformed the Roosters club from a rabble to a powerhouse during his time there.

Penrith Panthers host a women in league luncheon. Phil Gould addresses the audience.

It’s always good to knock off a club that has former Roosters in their coaching staff. Phil Gould transformed the Roosters club from a rabble to a powerhouse during his time there.

Along with the great Brad Fittler the Roosters began a revival that continues today. Gould will always be cherished for saving us from mergers or even extinction.

Brad Fittler in full flight for the Roosters against the Panthers in 2004.

The man now working for him at the Panthers, Ivan Cleary, represented the club with distinction as a player and after doing his apprenticeship as a lower grades coach, is now making a name for himself in the top grade.

This week we take on the Canberra Raiders, who are coached by Ricky Stuart. Stuart joined the Roosters in 2002 as a rookie coach and won a premiership in his first season, under the guidance of Phil Gould as Coaching Director.

Ricky Stuart, left, in discussion with team coaching adviser Phil Gould in their Rooster days.

The next two years ended in Grand Final losses and after the retirement of Fittler in 2004 the club slowly went downhill and Stuart eventually moved on.

The Roosters are now coached by Trent Robinson, who ironically played during Phil Gould’s time at the Roosters. Like Stuart, Robinson won a premiership in his first season as an NRL coach however could not be considered a rookie due to the fact he was coaching the Catalan Dragons in the English Super League.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson gets a drenching after winning the 2013 Grand Final against Manly. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Like those before him, Robinson has instilled a culture of success built on pride, hard work and comradeship. There has been no better evidence of this than the way the team defends when up against lopsided penalty counts.

Just on the topic of lopsided penalty counts, it would be remiss of me not to update fellow fans of the status quo on this matter. After three rounds, the league average is 24 penalties received. The Roosters have received 11. The next worst are this weekend’s opponents on 19.

Rooster Blake Ferguson scores his second try against the Panthers at Allianz Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous.

With the two least receiving teams going head to head this week, one would think the whistle noise will be scarce at Allianz Stadium on Sunday. Somehow I feel this won’t be the case. Perhaps this issue has developed cynicism among us fans.

The Roosters will be looking to continue their good start to the season. There are promising signs across the park, and new signing Blake Ferguson had his best outing in the tricolours so far crossing for two tries in front of his home fans.

Easts to win.