Personally, I don’t think the Chooks can beat Dogs or Melbourne in the big dance.
I think you’re right about a deal being done a while back and a release being sought. The Roosters knew Keary was leaving and Daly’s wanted out for a while. The timelines certainly match up.
I think it’s a bit of a three horse race at the moment, definitely the sides you mention.
The chooks certainly have the depth to go all the way, as much as I hate saying it, their roster is stacked and I think their youngsters are coming along brilliantly, physically there a very intimidating side, their 80 minutes is the question mark at present. They have everything they need to give it a fair shot, their halves maybe the other question mark, but we know it’s been done before, they have the hallmarks of our 2011 side.
I’m not completely sold on the dogs yet, yes they are going great guns and their brand of footy, playing that up tempo defence based 80 minutes can certainly take them all the way, it’s weather or not they can keep it up for 26 or 27 games, it’s a big ask the way they play. For mine if they don’t earn the week off in the first week of the semis, you can put a line through them, they will physically come undone. In any case, I’m not sold they can do it yet, they don’t have the depth the rooster enjoy, take last weekend as an example, while being able to roll with the next man up thus far, their ranks are thinning at present, yes injury, suspension and origin all played a part. For me it’s the dogs who miss out.
Then Melbourne, they lost last year and they have made the grand final 5 times following a loss and won 4 of them, that’s pretty impressive and supports the old you have to lose one to win one theory, not sure how that applies to Melbourne, their just the ultimate professionals, they have the squad, the depth, the coach, the big game mentality to win that’s for sure, even history supports them, I just think there not as convincing as previous sides, they are playing close to their potential at present where I see a lot of upside in the chooks game, not saying they can’t or won’t win it, they bloody well might, but I would be death riding them and would love nothing more than to see them miss the GF, I’d prefer the 2 Sydney sides and a good old traditional style GF, I’d also be content if they do make it and lose, back to back GF losses is tough to come back from.
Anyway apologies for the rant, I’m going to stick with the Rooster, it’s an early call, I just can’t go past their depth and potential upside.
