NRL 2021: Statistics prove Roosters’ incredible bravery to stay in title race

Nick Politis is forever loyal to his club. But on this one he’s right; This is the most courageous Roosters side we’ve seen — and here’s the numbers to prove it, writes David Riccio.

Trent Robinson and the Roosters have endured extraordinary upheaval to their playing roster. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The statistics are unprecedented, leading Nick Politis to go public with a statement that is just as stunning as the numbers.

“I haven’t seen anything like this in all my life,’’ the emotional Sydney Roosters chairman said.

“I’ve been chairman of the Roosters for what will be 30 years next year and I have never witnessed a season of such bravery and courage.

“The injury toll, the concussions, the debutants … and we’re still going OK. I don’t think anyone has seen it before.’’

Politis is forever loyal to his club.

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But on this one he’s right: this is the most courageous Roosters side we’ve ever seen.

Given the extraordinary upheaval to their playing roster, with 32 players used by coach Trent Robinson this year, the Roosters could easily be running last.

The last time the Roosters used 32 players in a season was in 2009 when they finished with the wooden spoon. By comparison this year, the dead-last Bulldogs have used 33 players so far.

The fact is though, the Roosters are bound for a top-four finish and, perhaps for Robinson, Dally M Coach of the Year honours.

Better still, retired captain Boyd Cordner adds: “We’re up here in Queensland to win it.

“We’re not in this competition to make up the numbers and then wait until next year when we’re full-strength again.

“The boys are steely in their focus. The boys want to win it.”

Trent Robinson and the Roosters have endured extraordinary upheaval to their playing roster. Picture: Richard Dobson

The Roosters are playing with a resolve in 2021 that the battlers below sixth position could still be searching in summer to find.

The Tricolours’ art of survival belies everything that we’ve been told about which ingredients are required for success including consistent team selections, combinations in key positions and experience.

But back to the numbers.

The Roosters are on the verge of sealing a top-four finish despite Robinson being forced to make a ridiculous 50 team changes and 47 positional changes so far this season.

Joey Manu, the freakish talent that he is, has played in six different positions – five-eighth, fullback, halfback, centre and wing – since round 12. Is it any wonder Manu is the hottest property in the NRL right now?

Completely wiped from the club’s 30-man roster that began training together last summer are club captains Jake Friend and Cordner (both retired).

Jake Friend. Picture: Brett Costello

Boyd Cordner. Picture: Toby Zerna

Friend lasted 47 minutes of the opening match of the season, while Cordner didn’t even lace up a boot.

Every rival fan should ask themselves how their team would fare this year without not one, but two of their most experienced leaders, and pillars of the club.

Gone too is marquee playmaker Luke Keary (knee), former Test and Origin winger Brett Morris and Queensland Origin forward Lindsay Collins (knee).

The high-profile void equates to 937 games of NRL experience that’s been missing over the past six weeks.

Daniel Tupou – and with great respect to the influence and impact that wingers can have on a game – is the only player to not miss a game and not change positions all season.

The last game that Robinson didn’t make a change to his line-up was back in round 5 against the Sharks. Ever since, Robinson has been handing out jumpers like lollipops.

Luke Keary has been missing since injuring his knee in March.

He’s plucked out eight rookies in Fletcher Baker, Ben Marschke, Ben Thomas, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Joseph Suaalii, Sam Walker, Egan Butcher and Naufahu Whyte.

Cordner is up in Queensland with the team.

He doesn’t need to be. He could be at home on the lounge watching Netflix and relaxing after 11 seasons of living and breathing footy.

By Cordner simply being there, it speaks directly to what Robinson, Politis and the Roosters staff have cultivated since 2013.

Working in the same way he would if he were playing, with a whisper in the ear of a player here and there, Cordner gave the best insight into why the Roosters are where they are – and where they’re still planning to go.

“I’m in awe in a way because the odds are against us, but then again I’m not surprised because I know how hard they’ve been training,’’ Cordner said.

Roosters chairman Nick Politis celebrates with James Tedesco after the 2019 grand final. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“I think we’ve got a solid home base. And that’s been there since Robbo (Robinson) came in 2013.

“We know who we are – we’ve got an identity and everyone in the Roosters understands that.

“We preach that every day, about our standards, who we are as a team and who we want to be known as and we’ve done that ever since 2013.

“So if you’re a new player coming in you learn pretty quickly what it means to be a Rooster, what it takes to wear that jersey.

“No matter how good a playing group Robbo has – and he’s had a lot of fantastic players come through in the last 10 years – but as you’ve seen this season, it’s not just the players.

“It’s about the system, it’s about our beliefs and what we want to achieve every week. It’s not a fluke for us. This is the Roosters’ way.’’