NRL 2021: Trent Robinson’s and the patchwork Roosters refuse to die

They’ve been battered, bruised and sometimes banned, but there’s one thing the boys from Bondi keep on doing — and it’s drawn rare praise.

Sydney Roosters legend and club board member Luke Ricketson has rated Trent Robinson’s effort to lead his side to a semi-final amid gut-wrenching adversity this year as “one of the great coaching performances ever at the Roosters.”

Ricketson’s immense praise came ahead of Friday night’s elimination finals match between the Roosters and old foes Manly in Mackay.

Robinson’s Roosters enter week two of the finals despite having 10 players unavailable – Siua Taukeiaho (calf), Sam Verrills (suspended), Jake Friend (retired), Joey Manu (fractured cheekbone), Boyd Cordner (retired), Brett Morris (retired), Luke Keary (ACL), Lindsay Collins (ACL), Joseph Suaalii (foot) and Billy Smith (foot).

And through the season, the Roosters have been forced to endure the loss of multiple players for long periods including Victor Radley (ACL, suspension), Josh Morris (hamstring), Angus Crichton (suspension), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (knee) and Lachlan Lam (MCL).

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Trent Robinson pictured in front of a club legends mural at Bondi Junction which now includes retiring Sydney Roosters co-captains Jake Friend and Boyd Cordner. Picture: Richard Dobson

Robinson has managed to keep his squad together through each drama and employed a successful ‘next-man-up’ mentality.

It prompted Ricketson to text Robinson a few weeks ago after a win to say: “Very courageous again. So mentally tough. I couldn’t be prouder of the club.”

A side many felt would crash out through injury, retirement and suspension is now just two games from another grand final.

“It has to be right up there as one of the great coaching performances ever at the Roosters. What ‘Robbo’ has been able to achieve from a coaching perspective, it’s right up with the great Roosters coaching efforts,” said Ricketson, who played 301 games at Bondi.

“It’s huge what he’s been able to achieve. It’s been out of the box, remarkable to see. There have been some performances where I texted Robbo and told him I have never been prouder of our football, our team or club.

“His response was so Robbo: ‘Yep, doing well, looking forward to next week.’ It shows he’s not finished, that’s what I love about the attitude. He’s in the moment, he’s not done with yet.

“He has got the players in this ‘next-man-up’ mindset, whoever we put out on the paddock, one through 17, pick a jumper, and give it your best.

“The players don’t even flinch anymore after setbacks. It’s just another challenge. Little incidents don’t have an impact. It’s a matter of stepping up and doing a job.

“It’s incredible the psychology behind it. They have performed out of their skin through adversity. I just hope we can continue the journey. It’s not out of reach. It’s an amazing story and who knows where it finishes?”

Roosters head coach Trent Robinson and his ‘next man up’ philosophy is a testament to the ethos of the Roosters. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

The Roosters crisis hit a new level of pain when Robinson was unable to even name 21 players ahead of a round 24 game against Souths, who won 54-12.

Robinson tried to play down his performance this year, but explained that he had to adjust on the run, with his priorities “very different each week.’’

“I will focus on the game – I will reflect at the end of the season. I’m concentrating on playing and preparing for Manly,” he said.

“I think it justifies the effort and fight we have put into this year, and how players have worked really hard when given an opportunity. We have fought really hard and we will continue to do that.

“I have been purely focused on getting the most out of our team each week and it’s been very different each week.”

In 2014, Laurie Daley led NSW to stunning Origin series win over a seemingly unbeatable Queensland.

Daley selected unfashionable halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson, who led NSW to a famous win over a Maroons side which had claimed the previous eight series.

Asked about Robinson’s coaching performance in 2021, Daley said: “It’s been a remarkable performance. Just making the finals was a wonderful achievement given a fair percentage of their salary cap is on the sidelines.

When the Roosters lost Luke Keary in round three many thought their season was over – and yet here they are in week two of the finals. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“To lose experienced players through retirement and then others like Luke Keary and Lindsay Collins, that can dishearten a squad. They could have thought: ‘This isn’t our time, this isn’t meant to be’.

“But they have always had that belief that whoever comes in, they can get the job done. They have proven to a lot of people that it’s all about attitude and wanting to prove you’re a good side, regardless of who is in and out.”

Then Knights coach Michael Hagan stunned $1.45 favourites Parramatta with a 30-24 grand final win in 2001.

The Eels enjoyed a record-breaking season but fell badly in the decider.

Hagan also praised Robinson, saying: “It’s been remarkable what he and his team have done this year. It’s a fantastic story to get this far.

“You’re entitled to concede a bit when these things happen to you but they have obviously used it as a real motivator and the ‘next-man-in’ mentality has been unbelievable, to be honest.

“We could all look for excuses in any season review – ‘if it wasn’t for that then we would have done this’. As an example, look at the St George BBQ. They have just folded where the Roosters thrived under adversity.

“And you can add to that how awesome the senior players have been – James Tedesco, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Victor Radley, even Josh Morris.”

PROOF JOEY MANU IS ONE TOUGH ROOSTER

This typifies the Roosters spirit and fight.

While recovering from a badly fractured cheekbone, and with little chance of playing again this season, injured centre Joey Manu has returned to training to help teammates prepare for Friday night’s elimination final against Manly.

Manu had his cheekbone broken in a controversial hit by South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell in round 24 on August 27.

“Joey is going well. He puts on weight easily so we need to get him out there running,” said Roosters coach Trent Robinson.

Sydney Roosters star Joey Manu back at training. Picture: Roosters Digital

“The beautiful man is slightly less beautiful but he’s keeping fit and healthy.

“The face is getting back down. It’s not completely normal yet but it’s getting there.

“I think he would have had a coloured bib on (preventing training contact) so we can’t go close to him at all.

“So, yeah, it’s good to get him back out there and get him training again, at least in some form.”

Asked could Manu make a shock return should the Roosters progress deeper into the finals, Robinson said: “It’s pretty bad that injury. It’s good having him around.”

Mitchell was suspended for six games over the high hit.