As a lifelong supporter of their cross-town rivals, it pains me to admit the Roosters could be huge this year.
The problem for the Roosters is they could also be the biggest flops of the season.
That is the card dealt to them following the massive signings of Michael Jennings, Luke O'Donnell, James Maloney and Sonny Bill Williams.
While much can be said about how people genuinely dislike the Roosters, there is no denying they've spent money in the right places in a bid for premiership glory.
Starting with the halves, the Roosters have State of Origin halfback Mitchell Pearce directing the troops. A player who could easily be the next captain of the club, Pearce will be able to have a lot of pressure taken off him by former Warrior Maloney. It's a combination that could easily face off in the City/Country game, and pair for NSW. With that in mind, they have to get it right at club level. Waiting in the wings at the club is Daniel Mortimer, who is more than capable of stepping up.
The backline has become more lethal with the inclusion of Jennings. There is no plainer way of saying it - they will be an absolute handful on the edges. He will partner Shaun Kenny-Dowall in the centres, with a multitude of options available to cover or play wing. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Tautau Moga, Mitchell Aubusson, Michael Oldfield, Daniel Tupou and Adam Henry can all cover the centre-wing positions, giving the club much needed depth in that area.
Add to that veteran fullback Anthony Minichiello - who can be covered by RTS and Oldfield - and they have plenty of class to smoke opposition defences.
And now to the forward pack.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Martin Kennedy, Lama Tasi and big Frank-Pual (the wrecking ball) Nuuausala wil lead the pack from the front row. Jack Bosden, Sam Moa and rookie Kane Evans can be added to that list. In the second row the hard-working types of Aiden Guerra, Boyd Cordner and Aubusson will be joined by O'Donnell and Williams. Tireless hooker Jake Friend, who was one of the most consistent Roosters in 2012, will direct play from dummy half.
Roosters 1. Anthony Minichiello 2. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 4. Michael Jennings 5. Michael Oldfield 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Jake Friend 10. Martin Kennedy 11. Aiden Guerra 12. Sonny Bill Williams 13. Boyd Corner Interchange 14. Luke O'Donnell 15. Mitchell Aubusson 16. Frank Pual-Nuuausala 17. Daniel Mortimer
Ont the fringe: Tautau Moga, Lama Tasi, Sam Moa, Jack Bosden, Anthony Cherrington, Adam Henry, Daniel Tupou, Kane Evans, Nate Seluini, Tinirau Arona
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