NRL 2020: Brett, Josh Morris signings prove Sydney Roosters salary cap rumours are a myth
If ever proof was needed some clubs are simply better at roster management, this is it writes PAUL CRAWLEY. As the Roosters chase a third straight title, the clubs that snubbed Brett and Josh Morris are in absolute dire straits.
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It’s almost comical two clubs that turned their back on Brett and Josh Morris are in absolute dire straits.
And here we now have these two legends playing for a club that is shooting for a third straight premiership.
Look away Dragons and Bulldogs fans, because this is another sorry tale that shows why your two clubs that go head-to-head on Monday are in decline — while the Roosters will be up in Brisbane setting the benchmark.
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Not just on the field but in respect to salary cap management too.
People blow up about the Roosters’ star-studded roster and mock how they could possibly be under the cap.
Yet like many in their squad, the Morris boys were signed on very modest NRL salaries after other clubs snubbed them.
Let’s start with the Bulldogs because they didn’t just let one Morris go, they let them both go.
Admittedly it was when Canterbury had massive salary cap dramas.
But surely they could have found a way to keep these two given what they were ultimately paid elsewhere.
Then the Dragons got first dibs on Brett but knocked him back.
Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up.
Morris told his story after last year’s grand final, conceding he wanted to go back to the club where his career started, but the Dragons brushed him.
“The Dragons had every chance to try and sign me, but they didn’t,” Brett said.
“It wasn’t a money thing, certain things fell into place and it just didn’t happen.”
At the time it was reported one of the reasons the Dragons lost interest was because Nene MacDonald was going so well.
Who came up with that brainwave?
Adding to the embarrassment, you have the Sharks on the slide and their fans are entitled to be asking why Josh was let go — even before young Bronson Xerri got done for drugs.
Josh was understandably upset about Cronulla bringing Jesse Ramien back on a stack more money so he was given permission to negotiate with rivals.
While the Sharks later changed their tune, it was too late. Josh had made up his mind he wanted to finish his career playing alongside his brother.
So he landed in Trent Robinson’s lap for a bargain, just as Brett had a year earlier.
How could you not want the Morris boys at your club?
These two have never caused any trouble off the field. They are low maintenance, great trainers, good citizens, terrific blokes, absolute pros.
The sort of men sponsors would be proud to be linked with and coaches and teammates adore.
What’s more, they’re bloody exceptional footballers who at 33 can still hold a place in the world’s best club team.
Not just hold a spot but are major contributors. In the grand final last year, you could argue Brett was the best player, even though Jack Wighton won the Clive Churchill Medal.
Brett was phenomenal — and it wasn’t his attack, but his defence. Defusing those bombs time and again and attacking raid after attacking raid. His teammates were in awe.
Then last Friday night against Souths, the Roosters’ fans voted Brett their man of the match.
This was despite James Tedesco’s brilliant performance and Fox League’s Steve “Blocker” Roach handing Victor Radley his three Dally M points.
In fairness to all three, they were all deserving of accolades.
But the point here is that Brett Morris, in his 15th NRL season as an outside back, for goodness sake, is still as hungry today as he ever was.
That play where he chased down Braidon Burns after Luke Keary’s intercept pass before Brett collared Alex Johnston on the same run was one of the more amazing defensive plays you will ever see on a rugby league field.
Then on the ensuing play, Brett knocked the grubber dead in goal at full stretch when Burns was heading for a try.
Josh was also tremendous on debut for his new club, involved in two tries.
He set up Kyle Flanagan with that clever kick that showed great vision, and then kept the ball alive when Tedesco broke through in the second half.
The way they have both been able to seamlessly blend in at Bondi like they have been part of the club culture for years is not a fluke.
It’s the result of hard work and dedication, which is what they have consistently brought to every organisation they played for.
People are always banging on about what a good roster the Dragons have, but what they don’t have is depth, which is what separates the top clubs such as the Roosters and Raiders.
Last weekend the Raiders were without John Bateman but didn’t miss a beat in the win over Melbourne.
Likewise, the Roosters were without Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Mitchell Aubusson but up stepped the likes of Lindsay Collins, Isaac Liu and young Sitili Tupouniua.
It’s not because the Roosters and Raiders spend more money, they just spend smarter.
You go through the Roosters list and it really isn’t as star-studded as people make out. Sure, they have their share of stars, but they also have bargain buys.
None more so than the Morris twins, who will go down in the game’s history as two who could hold their heads high in any era.