Injuries rue what could have been a successful 2021 NRL campaign for the Roosters.
2021 Club Record
Embed from Getty ImagesWins: 16
Losses: 8
Competition Points: 34
2021 Player Achievements
Embed from Getty ImagesMost Tries: Daniel Tupou – 15
Most Points:v Adam Keighran – 86
Season Summary
The Roosters limped into the finals on the back of a massive injury toll. Heading into the final rounds of the season, coach Trent Robinson battled naming a 21-man squad. Players such as Adam Keighran and Lachlan Lam, who normally play in the halves or at hooker, found themselves playing in the centres.
The biggest talking point of the season was the injury to Joey Manu. In the round 24 clash with arch-rivals South Sydney, Manu was hit in a high tackle by former teammate Lattrell Mitchell. The hit broke Manu’s cheek ending his season, while Mitchell’s season was ended through suspension. The reaction to the hit divided opinion, with Phil ‘Gus’ Gould and Paul Gallen commenting that Mitchell’s grading was harsh.
Manu was the Roosters most crucial and reliable player before his injury. The emergence of Sam Walker at halfback was exciting for Roosters fans; however, there were times that he was not used properly, and it left some fans scratching their heads. Normally a hooker or half, Keighran did an excellent job in the centre’s with all the injuries, while Isaac Liu and Angus Crichton were the Roosters most reliable forwards.
Robinson needs to decide who will partner Luke Keary in halves and stick to it. Chopping and changing halves will not help the Roosters in 2022. Walker and Lam are great young halves, but one of them needs to play week in and week out for the Roosters to go further than they did in 2021.
Isaac Liu will be a significant loss for the Roosters in 2022. Liu, one of the Roosters best and reliable forwards in 2021, is heading to the Gold Coast Titans. Winger Matt Ikuvalu is also on the move, linking up with former assistant coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
On the signing front, Paul Momirovski and Connor Watson return to the Roosters after playing prominent roles at clubs such as the Penrith Panthers Respectively. At the same time, Renouf Atoni makes his way to Bondi from the Bulldogs.
NothingButLeague Player of the Season – James Tedesco
Embed from Getty ImagesMatches: 22
Tries: 9
Try Assists: 28
Run Metres: 3,333
Tackle Bursts: 148
