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SSFCMem
  - Joined on 12-08-2008
- Posts 46
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Member Michael Egers Head to Head v Roosters
*Selections in CAPS BACKS Fullbacks 1 SAM PERRETT (0.5) v 1 NATHAN MERRITT (0.5) Centre/Wing Combos 5 BRENT GROSE (0.5) (L) v 5 JAMIE SIMPSON (0.5) (R) 3 SETAIMATA SA (0.5) (L) v 4 BEAU CHAMPION (0.5) (R) 4 MITCHELL AUBUSSON (0.5) (R) v 3 FETULI TALANOA (0.5) (L) 2 AMOS ROBERTS (R) v 2 Luke Capewell (L) Very difficult to split most of these h2hs as there is very little between most of them with the exception of the exceptional and in-form “Famous Amos”. Our young up and comers out wide were able to contain the lethal Raiders backs in the first half last week due to our defensive line moving up and cutting off their opportunities early but that didn’t continue in the second half which saw the Raiders go wide often and with success. Freddy Fittler wouldn’t have missed that - nor JT of course - so the key is to limit their options out wide by keeping in their faces all game and numbering up well. The Chooks will likely return to their pet plays of earlier in the season when they put on multiple decoy, 2nd-man plays with the receiver swinging round from behind the ball player in an arcing run to force poor reads out wide and our left and right combos had both better be prepared for them - though they especially like to work down the opposition’s right side. And of course, coping with a bomb-a-thon is part of every coach’s game plan against them. 3-2 to the Feather Dusters in the ¾s. Halves 6 BRAITH ANASTA (0.5) v 6 CRAIG WING (0.5) 7 MITCHELL PEARCE v 7 Chris Sandow Wingy will have been thinking about this re-match all year - as have all Rabbitoh people following that sickening incident that took him out of the first half of the season and left the Rabbitohs struggling without him! But he’s a consummate professional so I’m sure he’d be telling himself not to treat it as anything other than another match so he can concentrate on performing his role to the best of his ability. Easier said than done though!!! He will be out to have a huge game no doubt and whoever comes out on top in the battle of the halves will, as always, be critical. Their halves have been down on form of late (although they’re not alone there when you look at their forwards too) but their ability to create tries from kicks is still a huge danger and if they get them right, could make the difference. Lots of kick pressure should therefore be a key part of our game plan as their percentage of tries from kicks is higher than any other team. It also means their percentage of tries run in is one of the lowest though. Will split it between the 2 Souths Juniors wearing the 6s but have to give the halfback point to the current NSW 7 so it’s 1.5-0.5 in the halves to the Clucky Ones and that adds up to 4.5-2.5 in the backs overall their way. FORWARDS Locks 13 CRAIG FITZGIBBON (0.5) v 13 JOHN SUTTON (0.5) 2nd rowers 11 WILLIE MASON , 12 ANTHONY TUPOU v 11 Luke Stuart, 12 David Fa’alogo Props8 MARK O‘MELEY, 10 Nate Myles v 8 Scott Geddes, 10 ROY ASOTASI © Hookers 9 James Aubusson v 9 ISAAC LUKE Very deceptive on paper as the Roosters pack has been well out of form with several aging “names” not earning their bulging pay packs in recent weeks. Every week lately they’ve talked themselves up in the papers as being on the verge of coming good and aiming up - especially “the human headline” but each week passes and they look more and more like “yesterday’s heroes“! Mason has done nothing since the early rounds and while Fitzgibbon started the year by turning the clock back, it appears that the clock is making a comeback since the rep season and though he still works tirelessly, taking current form into account as well, I‘ve split the lock-forward point as Sutto‘s star continues to rise just as Fitzy‘s wanes. O’Meley has been a disappointment all season for what’s expected of him but Tupou remains a huge threat both hitting gaps at speed and with his lethal offloading ability so we‘ll need numbers on him to wrap the ball up. Our pack has been inconsistent all year but more good than bad in the second half of the season. I can’t imagine they will lack any motivation to be as fired up as they possibly can be this week to avenge the events and aftermath of that fateful first round clash. They will be right in there to protect our halves if there’s any nonsense again this time and will have to play an aggressive, “in-your-face” style of defence to counter and get over the top of them trying to do likewise. Sutto looked less effective in attack when he ran too tight to the rucks in the first half last week and better when he drifted wider later in the match and took on the fringes and he and Frog can be massive threats to the Rorters as the Sharks showed they can be got on the fringes last week. On paper and reputations only, I have to rate it 3.5-2.5 to the Latte lads in the forwards BUT it‘s in the forwards where Souths can get on top and win this match. Total for the run-ons - 8-5 to the Forever-in-our-Shadows. Benches 14 LOPINI PAEA, 15 DAVID SHILLINGTON, 16 Sia Soliola, 17 JAKE FRIEND (0.5) v 14 BEAU FALLOON (0.5), 15 DAVID KIDWELL, 16 Manase Manuokafoa, 17 Eddy Pettybourne, 18 Shannan McPherson (one to be omitted) Will split the dh reliever point between the impressive rookie Falloon and opposing young gun Friend. The remaining 3 forward spots go 2-1 to them with Paea in particular really coming of age this season and it wouldn’t surprise to see him start ahead of the disappointing O’Meley for the opening exchanges as he really bends the line consistently. That makes the bench total 2.5-1.5 their way and the final tally for the h2h therefore 10.5-6.5 to the cap haters. Key factors Complacency? - The Bondi Junction mob will be starting to really feel some desperation as their top 4 spot is now under serious threat after looking assured of a top 4 finish for most of the season. They may have become complacent in recent weeks but whatever the reason for their slump, they’ll be eyeing off Souths as an opportunity to get their game back on track in preparation for the finals against the top teams which ironically might keep them complacent against us. Motivation - never in short supply for a local derby, let alone one with 100 years of bitter rivalry as this one! In addition, as mentioned, the Roosters have a top 4 spot to try to preserve and dreams of greater things in September and even October while for Souths, not only is it the Centenary of the first ever premiership win this Friday by any club, but there is also the potential bonus of being able to have a hand in knocking our bitter rivals out of the top 4 - a juicy extra carrot being dangled out there - if one was needed. Form - has been patchy for both teams over the past month but really, the Bunnies have the better recent record despite the heavy second half capitulation last week. Souths are at least scoring points and particularly through well constructed, open play although, defensively, continue to struggle. However, the Roosters have scored just 6 points in their last 160 minutes so apart from the aerial threat and the battle up the middle, there may not be as much to defend against compared to Manly and Canberra unless they find their best form or we play them into it with poor ball control. Aggression - this should be an explosive match - there will certainly be plenty of aggression but the potential for some of that aggression to boil over will be there and that means it is possible there may not be a full compliment of 26 players out on the field for the entire match which could be decisive in contributing to the eventual winner. Home ground advantage - does it exist when Souths return to our former home ground and the locals from both clubs can really fill the ground? It tends to be neutralised when Souths play the Rorters at the SFS and it proved a happy “home coming“ last year so why not again this year? Pressure - it’s all on them - Souths are playing with a free spirit and that has it’s good and bad points but at this time of year, pressure can choke the skill and ability out of you and when you’re out of form and slipping down the ladder while the charge of teams behind are looming large, the amount of pressure our neighbours will be under will come to a head and they will either rise above it and return to form or crumble underneath it - particularly if they fall behind early and we can pile even more pressure on them via the scoreboard as the match develops. The early exchanges will be one of the highlights of the season - this is our Grand Final and we can salvage something from this disappointing season by avenging the events of round 1 and at the same time knocking the perpetrators out of the top 4 and down as far as 7th going into the final round before the finals!!!!!!!!! I can feel a win in the air - and a fitting way to commemorate our first premiership glory it will be too!!!! RABBITOHS TO WIN!!!!
CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARN YOU MIGHTY, MIGHTY RABBITOHS!!!!!!!!
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