The Sydney Roosters reign as NRL top dog is over according to the glamour club's former coach and league supremo Phil Gould.
Trent Robinson's hopes of a title three-peat, go on the line next weekend against last year's grand final opponents Canberra but Gould believes a long season punctuated by injuries has had a dramatic impact on their mindset.
The Roosters limped into the finals off the back of a 52-point hammering to Souths and gave up 28 points in 35 minutes in the loss to Penrith after racing to a 10-0 lead.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' The Final Whistle, Gould, who spent time at both clubs in various roles, said the 2019 NRL premiers are "busted".
"They're not in the right frame of mind. That flogging to South Sydney, and they led the Panthers 10-0 and then 35 minutes later they're down 28-10," Gould said.
"That has never happened to the Roosters in my time that I can remember. I think they're at the end of it now."
The Tricolours' depth at hooker has been severely tested this season with Jake Friend ruled out for the Penrith match after suffering a head knock in the loss to Souths.
Fourth string rake Freddy Lussick performed admirably in his place in the 29-28 loss yet Friend could be rushed back this week to give last year's champions a bit more experience around the ruck.
Despite being down troops and on the scoreboard the Roosters rallied to fight back to almost push the game into golden point.
Luke Keary had the chance to kick a field goal and level the game with 30 seconds on the clock but couldn't swing it.
Keary's miss came as no surprise to Sharks great Paul Gallen, who claims average form over the last two weeks could see the five-eighth fall out of favour with NSW selectors.
Jack Wighton was a pivotal figure in the Raiders win over the Sharks, putting pressure on Keary to line up at No.6 for the Blues alongside Nathan Cleary in the halves. Souths star Cody Walker has also impressed according to the 2016 premiership winner.
"Two weeks ago you'd have Luke Keary penned in. But after that 60-point drubbing in the game that Walker had, questions were asked," Gallen said.
"He hasn't been in great form the last couple of weeks I'm not sure if he's injured. To me it looks like it's slipping out of his hands with the way these five-eighths are playing."
Keary suffered a broken rib against the Storm in August and has battled several concussions over the past couple of seasons. Gould believes the current performances are a "sign of attrition"
"They've been up a long time the Roosters. Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner and Luke Keary have been protected this year because of concussion issues. Keary broke his ribs," Gould said.
"It just feels like it's all gotten too much. They've been up for a long time. You can't be great forever. They're only human. They've got to the end of a long run."
from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-phil-gould-says-roosters-three-peat-chance-over/819a9d76-39e5-454f-88fa-89fd6b35b90c
0 Comments