Sydney Roosters 2020 NRL preview: Team list, burning questions
Premiership winners for more than two decades struggled to back up their titles - but these Sydney Roosters want to put them to shame by locking in a record-breaking three-peat.
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Premiership hangover? What premiership hangover.
While other title winners have found it impossible to ascend to the top of the NRL in the modern day game, the Roosters plotting for a record-breaking three-peat.
“It’s a hard thing to win one premiership so to win three in a row is … you know, definitely we have thought about three-in-a-row but as far as speaking about it, I don’t think so. We are more focused on starting the year the best we can,” captain Boyd Cordner told The Daily Telegraph.
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What makes the Roosters so different or capable of securing another title in season 2020? Complacency is a dirty word at Bondi.
“It comes down to the individual and their motivation. I know for myself personally I would love nothing more than to win another premiership. It’s easy for me to get up for another year,” Cordner said.
“You set yourself new goals, higher standards and you’re always trying to be better. Trent [Robinson] always keeps us in check. Since being back [for the World Club Challenge] and the start of the pre-season, I know complacency won’t be an issue for us because we are motivated and very focused about what we want to achieve this year. Complacency and motivation won’t be an issue.”
THE ROOSTERS ROSTER
Ins: Kyle Flanagan (Sharks), Josh Morris (Sharks, after round 1)
Outs: Cooper Cronk (retired), Zane Tetevano (Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs), Bernard Lewis (released)
After back-to-back premierships the Roosters have two giant holes to fill in 2020. Halfback Cooper Cronk called time on his illustrious career after the 2019 grand final, and rising playmaker Kyle Flanagan was recruited as his replacement. After an off-season of speculation, Latrell Mitchell finally left to link with the Rabbitohs prompting another intriguing off-field story. But in a huge boost for the club Cronulla’s Josh Morris will, after round one, join from the Shire club so he can again link up with his twin brother, Brett.
Off-contract:
Mitchell Aubusson, Jake Friend, Ryan Hall, Drew Hutchison, Matt Ikuvalu, Asu Kepaoa, Lachlan Lam, Brett Morris
Jake Friend is a cornerstone of this Roosters outfit and spent the best part of the last 10 years as one of the club’s most consistent and durable players.
But season 2019 was a mixed bag for Friend as injury restricted him to only six games. It means this year is a vital one for Friend who is off-contract at the end of this year.
“He’s been awesome, we know the amount of work Friendy likes to do and get through but he found that hard last year with sitting out with injury. He’s got his body in the best shape he can and if anyone is looking for a big year and a healthy year it’s him. He’s ready to go for round one,” Cordner said.
The burning question: Can Kyle Flanagan step up?
No one is expecting Flangan to deliver in the same way four-time premiership winner Cooper Cronk did at Bondi.
But like it or not, there will be a level of expectation on Flanagan simply because the youngster is stepping into Cronk’s no.7 jumper.
But Cordner is backing Flanagan to rise to the occasion.
“He’s a confident young kid but you have to be for a young half these days. For him coming to the Roosters, he hasn’t missed a beat. He’s a tough kid, he’s a competitor and he’s been training the house down. His combination with Luke Keary will only go from strength to strength,” said Cordner.
It’s a big year for: Luke Keary
The diminutive is a proven winner but with Cooper Cronk hanging up the boots following last year’s grand final victory, Keary is now fully in charge of star-studded Roosters outfit. As well as calling the shots, he’ll have the responsibility of guiding Flanagan in what will be his first full season as a starting halfback after playing only eight games for the Sharks in 2019.
Pre-season hero: Trent Robinson
Who else other than coach Trent Robinson? He’s known for being one of the most meticulous planners in the NRL, mapping out his side’s entire season even before a footy has been kicked. You can rest assured the history making coach has done the same this pre-season to help take his men ‘to the next level.’
“What has worked for us last year probably won’t be the case this year. We can’t stay stagnant as a team. We need to always keep looking to improve which as a team we believe we can. There are different areas in the game we need to work on to take us to the next level … We are lucky to be coached by Trent,” Cordner said.
The best player you’ve never heard of: Daniel Fifita
The young forward impressed Trent Robinson so much playing Jersey Flegg and Canterbury Cup that he was upgraded into the top 30 squad in 2020. But Fifita wasn’t just promoted into the squad, he was rewarded with a three year deal until the end of season 2022. Look away now South Sydney fans, the promising forward is a Rabbitohs junior and played for the Matraville Tigers.
Stats that matter: The Roosters have turned the ‘defence wins premierships’ adage from a cliche to fact. Again, the Triclours were a wall in defence conceding only 2.3 tries a game in 2019. That number was only bettered by the Melbourne Storm who conceded only 2 tries a game.