Round 17
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 56 d. Sydney Roosters 0

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

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

Manly humiliate effortless and heartless Roosters
Sat July 7, 2007
Manly have bounced back after two successive losses in the most emphatic fasion possible defeating a woeful Sydney Roosters outfit 56-0 at Brookvale Oval tonight.

The Roosters were nothing short of disgraceful and embarrassing where their players simply showed no heart, desire or effort to do anything worthwhile on the field.

It will be no surprise this week that beseiged coach Chris Anderson will be given the bullet and his fine coaching career where he has enjoyed remarkable success with Halifax, Canterbury, Melbourne and Australia along with taking Cronulla to one match short of a Grand Final will come to a close.

The problems at the Roosters have been happening since 2005 where poor recruitment, retention and development decisions have been made following the retirement of Brad Fittler. It's easier however to sack the coach as there's no way the Chairman or Chief Executive will sack themselves. The Roosters have been buying high priced outside backs and too many locks and in that time have lost Jason Cayless, Michael Crocker and Adrian Morley - the three cornerstones of their once feared pack of forwards.

Manly had a field day at the Roosters expense to get their season firmly back on track and a top two finish is now looking likely. Matt Orford and Michael Robertson both helped themselves to hat-tricks while Steve Bell crossed for a double and singles went to Brett Stewart and Steve Matai. Orford's fine night continued where he landed eight conversions for a total of 28 points falling two points behind the point scoring record for Manly in a match held jointly by Ron Rowles (v Canterbury, 1954) and Matthew Ridge (v Western Suburbs, 1996).

The Sea Eagles were never headed from the opening exchanges and it was clear from the outset that the enthusiasm and effort levels of both sides were at a different level. Bell crossed in the 3rd minute and it was only a matter of time before the lead would be extended. Stewart crossed in the 12th minute and Orford was over in the 29th for Manly to lead 16-0 and that remained the score until half-time.

Manly went on with the job after the break where it was a complete rout averaging one point for every minute played. Matai started the onslaught in the 45th minute and Bell and Orford both crossed for their second try each in the space of two minutes to open up a commanding lead.

Robertson scored a hat-trick of tries in the 60th, 70th and 73rd minutes to push Manly to the half century and Orford scored after full-time when a loose ball following a kick from Braith Anasta was swooped up by Orford who had too much pace in a 50m sprint to the try line. Orford landed a sideline goal to firmly rub salt into the Roosters wounds.

Credit must be given to Manly for their performance, but all the focus this week is going to be on the Roosters and when the inevitable sacking of Anderson will happen.

Anderson walked into a club that was in a complete mess and if can't fix the place than who is going too. Anderson has had a history of building and developing clubs his way and unfortunately the Roosters is a club that demands instant and quick fix success. Anderson if given the full two years will bring success and stability back to the Roosters, but it's highly unlikely he'll see out this week, let alone the remainder of this season and next year, which will be to the Roosters regret.

The question must be asked as to who exactly agreed to release Josh Lewis, Jamie Soward, Chris Flannery and Nigel Plum before their time was up at the Roosters. Flannery has headed to England whereas the other three are performing out of their skins for their new sides. No one at the Roosters have come forward to admit they were the exact person to release those players. There's been stunned silence from management in regards to the release of the four players.

Roosters supporters deserve answers and solutions to the current disaster. The players and management owe the Roosters supporters a big apology and a guarantee that the effort and desire will be there every week and every minute of the remaining games this season.

Hopefully Anderson will be given a chance to fulfil his contract as he's an outstanding coach and deserves better than the current rabble is dishing up on the field, but the phone numbers of Phil Gould, Brad Fittler, Adrian Lam and John Lang are likely to be given a dial this week.

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