Round 18
Roosters 16 l. Sea Eagles 33

2006 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Roosters slump to second last
Sun July 9, 2006
It's hard to think that nearly two years after making the 2004 Grand Final that once glamour club Sydney Roosters would now be sitting in second last position with things not looking much better for the near future.

Manly was the lucky side to meet the out of form Roosters as they were able to bounce back from a three match losing streak to win 33-16 with the scoreline in many ways flattering the Roosters who are glittering on paper and disappointing on the field.

Brent Kite crashed over early for Manly in the 10th minute and that was followed up with an impressive try to Chris Hicks nine minutes later where he started the movement deep inside his own half and finished it after it went through several sets of hands. Matt Orford converted both tries and also landed a penalty goal as the Sea Eagles went to the break leading 14-0.

Orford extended Manly's lead six minutes into the second half when he scored a fine individual try where he sliced through the feeble Roosters defence to push Manly's lead out to 20-0.

Mickey Paea and Iosia Soliola got the Roosters back into the match with tries in the space of five minutes as the comebacks they did early in the season where they finished matches full of fire looked on the card as the Roosters got within ten points in a flash.

Brett Stewart continued his tryscoring deeds when he was on the spot following a well-timed kick ahead with Orford converting and moments later adding a drop-goal to push Manly well clear at 27-10.

The Roosters were embarrassed when big front-rower George Rose bursted through the defence and had enough pace to crash over.

Ashley Harrison scored in the final 30 seconds as the Roosters bridged the gap but not enough from another embarrassing defeat.

Previous Roosters coaches including Graham Murray have been sacked for performances not as bleak this year and more so that the year before Murray was sacked saw the Roosters make the Grand Final. The future of Ricky Stuart despite all the assurances will be getting more shaky with every big loss that comes the Roosters way.

Adrian Morley tried to inspire the Roosters in the first half but the rest of the side fauled to follow suit. Morley has been one of the premier forwards in recent seasons and the enforcer of the Roosters pack who will be badly missed next year. The Roosters missed out on the services of several forwards including Roy Asotasi, Frank Pritchard, Ashton Sims and Justin Poore with Asotasi going to Souths and the latter three re-signing. The Roosters are putting in a big bid for Queensland forward Nate Myles and will no doubt express interest in Steve Simpson that a clause in his contract can now see him free to join rival clubs if he chooses to do so.

The Roosters have been a proud club for signing the best talent on the open market but the failed performances of Harrison and in particular Braith Anasta along with a bitterly disappointing season hasn't made the Roosters an attractive club to join as it was only a few years ago. The Roosters now have to look at a development plan and look to bring players up through the lower grades where they are spotted and nutured from a young age with patience.

Manly are now in equal 6th position with North Queensland and Newcastle but sit in 7th positoin with the Cowboys having the best for and against difference. The Sea Eagles are going to be there in September and have the strike power and experience to be a major threat.

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