I thought in the last Roosters trial DCE just sat back and Walker ran the ship and made a fine job of it - he is a danger on Friday
Team List Sydney City Roosters v NZ Warriors - [Round 1, 2026]
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They pretty much shared the kicking duties and youll probably find Walker will be the go to in the attacking 3rd, But definitely think having the security blanket of DCE who can get the team to the parts of the field they need to be in will free Walker just to all out attack - 4 tackle breaks, 2 try assists,, 2 line break assist and a line break....just seemed like he was playing without the burden of having to carry his side.
We definitely need to control that ruck tho, they get front foot ball and she'll be a hard ask.
AKP named in reserves but not in NSW cup team may be a smokey for debut? Guess he could be added to cup later on though if needed but would be weird not to see him get any game time.
WAH MAN
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Having last year to put under their belts sets our young blokes up well for a good crack at it.
Can't wait. Flying over from the US for the first 2 home games against Chooks and Raiders. Can't imagine a better 2 home games to start the season. JFH vs Whyte alone is worth the price of admission for this game.
This is a strong chooks side and we are right to be nervous. But we should remember that other than DCE, the team they have named is pretty similar to the team we beat in last year's corresponding fixture at go media. So this game is very winnable if we turn up with the right physical attitude.
As for the game plan, I'm sure Webby will approach it the same way as last year's win. Roosters are a highly ill-disciplined team that lack patience at times. During the parra trial, they were trying to score on every play, shifting the ball even within their own red zone. They tried this last year too but go media's slippery surface played its part in neutralizing the running style they came to town with. They weren't willing to engage with us in the physical dogfight which is why we wore them down and won it in the end.
Strategy has got to be the same again. They beat us if we allow them to turn this into a game of touch footy. But if we can make this into another dog fight I like our chances. If we are patient and apply the pressure physically, chooks ill-discipline will present the opportunities to win this game.
I predict another low scoring affair like last year. Something like 12-6 to us.
This is a strong chooks side and we are right to be nervous. But we should remember that other than DCE, the team they have named is pretty similar to the team we beat in last year's corresponding fixture at go media. So this game is very winnable if we turn up with the right physical attitude.
As for the game plan, I'm sure Webby will approach it the same way as last year's win. Roosters are a highly ill-disciplined team that lack patience at times. During the parra trial, they were trying to score on every play, shifting the ball even within their own red zone. They tried this last year too but go media's slippery surface played its part in neutralizing the running style they came to town with. They weren't willing to engage with us in the physical dogfight which is why we wore them down and won it in the end.
Strategy has got to be the same again. They beat us if we allow them to turn this into a game of touch footy. But if we can make this into another dog fight I like our chances. If we are patient and apply the pressure physically, chooks ill-discipline will present the opportunities to win this game.
I predict another low scoring affair like last year. Something like 12-6 to us.
Another pt I'd make: how we perform in this game is going to be a good barometer for the whole year of how we respond to Barney leaving.
2024 was derailed because of the AFB drama but I think this will be different. AFB was a great individual player but Barney has become a Kevin-Campion style spiritual leader for us in the middle. If the media interviews are true, Barney leaving was a call to arms for the boys to send him out on a high.
Based on the emotion of the news, I expect the boys, especially those in the middle, to come out fizzing for this game. Can't wait for Friday.
2024 was derailed because of the AFB drama but I think this will be different. AFB was a great individual player but Barney has become a Kevin-Campion style spiritual leader for us in the middle. If the media interviews are true, Barney leaving was a call to arms for the boys to send him out on a high.
Based on the emotion of the news, I expect the boys, especially those in the middle, to come out fizzing for this game. Can't wait for Friday.
WAH MAN
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Naynay
📈
Yeah i thought about it and maybe Gannon they see as a 13 in which case my statement is retracted.
Just in my head it seems like a 4 middle 1 utility and 1 back bench will be the default and from the little ive seen of gannon hes more a second rower and with leka I wouldnt mind a full time prop there
Ye remember last year round 2 roosters game, Leka came off the bunch and ran a muck with his powe runs and was offloading with every run he had.
Can’t underestimate the chooks young forwards tho.
Foketi, Steep, Wong, Whyte all gun young players led by Crichton and Collins.
Surely Taine and Akp come in tho. Otherwise I just don’t see how we win, our Defense isn’t that good to negate our lack of attack.
Not saying they make us win, but they’d help
WAH MAN
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Who do we have that could be that prop?
Noitall
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I can recall in 2018 we had SJ injured and I thought we were no chance against Cooper Cronk and roosters, and Mason Lino came in and did a great job replacing him. Fingers crossed our preseason has been solid enough to pick up early wins without Metcalf remembering it’s a marathon not a sprint a season in nrl. Early wins are a great luxury though
were you scared this time last year when we basically beat this team at MSS minus DCE?
WAH MAN
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We have every opportunity to win
Big time.
Hate playing the chooks. Any of the big 3 really. Less scared about playing Penrith funnily.
disagree. Penrith created the gameplan that us and the dogs are using. Hard for the apprentice to ever beat the master. I was grateful last year when we only had to play them once during the regular season.
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