Roosters halves fail first test

Post by **greeneyed** » February 20, 2005, 8:26 am

Grothe triple roasts Roosters
By Andrew Webster
February 20, 2005
The Sun-Herald

Eels 34 Roosters 16

Parramattta winger Eric Grothe struck almost as frequently as the lightning around the Central West town of Parkes as he racked up three tries in his side's trial victory against the Sydney Roosters last night.

Grothe brought up his treble after only 24 minutes as the Eels ground out a comprehensive but scrappy win after leading 16-10 at the break.

After successive defeats to a second-string Cronulla and then the Warriors in the past two weeks, the Eels were never headed in a game that asked more questions than it answered about the season ahead for both teams.

P.J. Marsh, who is back under coach Brian Smith after a stint with the Warriors, also scored two tries after coming off the bench.

But the man he is battling for the No.7 jumper, rookie halfback Tim Smith, was superb.

For Roosters coach Ricky Stuart there was little evidence to suggest the halves combination of St George Illawarra recruit Brett Firman and Brett Finch, who moved to five-eighth to replace retired hero Brad Fittler, will gel with ease.

Grothe scored his first try when he grasped a deft chip-kick behind the line from Smith before staggering on his hands and knees to score in the corner. Mark Riddell's conversion handed the Eels the perfect start. Grothe was in again 10 minutes later when fuzzy-haired replacement forward Aaron Cannings burst through a feeble Roosters defensive line.

Roosters fullback Amos Roberts attempted to strip the ball from his grasp 10 metres before the line but it was in vain as the ball was shovelled out to Grothe for his second.

Then the heavens opened up and the game closed down. Riddell found space down the right side of the Roosters' usually rock-like wall, kicked ahead and in a mad scramble for the ball Grothe scored again. And the game was only 24 minutes old.

The Roosters came back thanks largely to centre Ryan Cross, who broke loose on several occasions.

In the 31st minute, he streaked away to set up winger Chris Walker. Six minutes later, he scooped up a pass dribbling along the carpet to score again.

After the break, the Eels stepped up their intensity.

In the 65th minute, Eels fullback Wade McKinnon and winger Matt Petersen collided while fielding a cross-field kick.

McKinnon somehow managed to hold onto the ball and as he was being helped off, former Newcastle flyer Timana Tahu was screaming down field and getting a neat inside pass to Marsh.

At 22-10, the trial was effectively over. But Roberts saved some face for the Roosters when he streaked the length of the field in the dying minutes but he was almost shown up by Parramatta prop Michael Vella, who stayed with him the entire way.

+++++++++++++++++++++

There is all sorts of good news in the press this morning!

Inactive · Post by **Inactive** » February 20, 2005, 8:37 am

Yep they were discussing Finchy on 2KY BSB this morning and the general opinion was that he is not an organiser and can make some huge blunders.

Post by **greeneyed** » February 20, 2005, 10:13 am

Bay56 wrote:Yep they were discussing Finchy on 2KY BSB this morning and the general opinion was that he is not an organiser and can make some huge blunders.

What??????? Really?????!!!!!!!!!!!

Prodigiousman · Post by **Prodigiousman** » February 22, 2005, 9:43 am

he's a great organiser. he's matured out of sight in that area, still makes the occassional error but so do all the good halves - nature of beast (it can't come off all the time).

Nick · Post by **Nick** » February 22, 2005, 10:26 am

Bay56 wrote:Yep they were discussing Finchy on 2KY BSB this morning and the general opinion was that he is not an organiser and can make some huge blunders.

why i never...!!

DJ Raida · Post by **DJ Raida** » February 22, 2005, 11:49 am

take that roosters

Raider Azz · Post by **Raider Azz** » February 22, 2005, 1:50 pm

Roosters for the spoon!

Ok, let's not go that far, but I can dream.

DJ Raida · Post by **DJ Raida** » February 22, 2005, 2:44 pm

Raider Azz wrote:Roosters for the spoon!

Ok, let's not go that far, but I can dream.

no lets

roosters for the spoon

Greenblooded · Post by **Greenblooded** » February 22, 2005, 4:36 pm

This thread is music to my ears

SOULS 04 · Post by **SOULS 04** » February 24, 2005, 8:23 am

yep Roosters for the spoon
ill chear for that

DJ Raida · Post by **DJ Raida** » February 24, 2005, 12:50 pm

whos with us!

Sasha · Post by **Sasha** » February 24, 2005, 3:43 pm

DJ Raida wrote:whos with us!

I AM

DOWN WITH THE ROOSTERS
DOWN WITH MAN LOVE UNITED

DJ Raida · Post by **DJ Raida** » February 24, 2005, 7:28 pm

harsh schifty, way to kick a man when hes down

Sasha · Post by **Sasha** » February 24, 2005, 8:40 pm

They deserve it

BTW

UNITED FOR SALE

DJ Raida · Post by **DJ Raida** » February 24, 2005, 10:59 pm

no WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Inactive · Post by **Inactive** » February 27, 2005, 7:51 am

Finchy has brken his hand in the weekends trial .... I picked this up on 2KY BSB where they also expressed doubt about his abilities without Freddy by his side

Post by **greeneyed** » February 27, 2005, 11:01 am

According to the Roosters website, Finch has broken a bone in EACH hand. Discovered at half time and took no part in the second half of the trial last night.

HOW can you break BOTH hands?????

Greenblooded · Post by **Greenblooded** » February 27, 2005, 11:03 am

Out for 8 weeks, is it bad taste to add a laughing icon here?

Post by **greeneyed** » February 27, 2005, 11:10 am

Probably...... but karma seems to be in evidence......

Sasha · Post by **Sasha** » February 27, 2005, 12:21 pm

how did he break them in both hands

Long awaited karma

DJ Raida · Post by **DJ Raida** » February 27, 2005, 12:43 pm

take that finchy!

ROOSTERS FOR THE SPOON!

Post by **greeneyed** » February 27, 2005, 5:18 pm

On the news tonight, it says Finch is out for "at least 6 weeks". Broke one hand while defending and then broke the other in the next tackle.

tonio · Post by **tonio** » February 27, 2005, 5:29 pm

That's just unlucky. Two hands in two tackles.

Post by **greeneyed** » February 27, 2005, 5:30 pm

Karma.

Greenblooded · Post by **Greenblooded** » February 27, 2005, 5:55 pm

Thats his love life over with for a while, no visits from Mrs Palmer for you Finchy.

DJ Raida · Post by **DJ Raida** » February 27, 2005, 6:03 pm

Greenblooded wrote:Thats his love life over with for a while, no visits from Mrs Palmer for you Finchy.

Inactive · Post by **Inactive** » February 27, 2005, 6:12 pm

Greenblooded wrote:Thats his love life over with for a while, no visits from Mrs Palmer for you Finchy.

:toofunny :toofunny :toofunny :ROFL :ROFL

great call GB