Minichiello return the key ingredient for Roosters success
September 1st 2008 08:58
The count is finally back from injury
League Immortal Arthur Beetson knew he had spotted a special talent. After all he was formerly one himself.
Looking from the stands, he cast his eyes on Anthony Minichiello - a then 19 year old self proclaimed gymnast, who made a habit of breaking the first line of defence for junior club East Valley United.
Nine years on and Beetson is patting himself on the back. The man he scouted would go on to play 18 tests for Australia, win a grand final in 2002 and claim the Golden Boot award for world's best player in 2005.
Thanks to Artie Beetson, Minichiello is at the Roosters and is keen for a return to footy after three seasons of injury riddled nightmares.
It has been a real pain seeing Minichiello on the sidelines for the majority of season 2008.
His flair and tenacity to score tries and save them has been badly missed by the Sydney Roosters this year.
In the opening four rounds of the competition this season, Minichiello was no doubt the catalyst for the Roosters' terrific start, posting convincing wins over the Rabbitohs, Storm and the Bulldogs.
He was the man at fullback that gave the Roosters terrific field position at the start of every set. It was he that would catch the most difficult of grubber kicks and the highest of bombs with ease.
Minichiello was the player that set the tone for the Roosters and their star studded forward pack to wreck havoc in the early stages of 2008.
Indeed, Roosters halves Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce should be thankful Minichiello is finally making his return this Friday night against the Dragons.
Since Origin 3, Anasta and Pearce have played behind a beaten forward pack. They have not been able to weave their dominating kicking game that was so effective up to midway through this season.
As the aura of fear in the Roosters forwards dries up, so has Anasta's and Pearce's ability to set up tries and leave opposing teams on the back foot.
Coach Brad Fittler once again had to see his forwards succumb to the Rabbitohs in the second half last Friday night. The likes of O'Meley, Mason and Shillington surrendered their dominance around the ruck and were effectively punished by South Sydney.
Although the upset never eventuated, best believe it was a severe warning shot to the Roosters credentials heading into September.
If they continue on their uncharacteristic course, the Dragons will towel them up and they will most likely be the team hosting a final in two weeks time.
But the return of Minichiello should spark the Roosters into action.
Despite displaying a very impressive resume that includes the Golden Boot award and the Wally Lewis medal for best player in an Origin series, Minichiello has an aura of confidence about him that always rubs off on his team-mates.
Since suffering those horrific back injuries, many though 'the count' would hang up the boots on an illustrious career.
The times were frustrating for Mini. It seemed every time he made a return from injury, something would pop up and ruin his cause for a premiership and a return to representative football.
But Minichiello did not back down. He kept at it with countless hours in the gym and plenty of rest. And despite suggestions of unrest in regards to his future, Minichiello was desperate to come back to footy.
And he did so last week for the Newtown Jets in an 18-10 victory. He scored a try and kicked a goal from the sidelines.
Although he only lasted 50 minutes, Fittler now knows Minichiello - a man he won a grand final with in 2002 - could hold the keys in unlocking his side's potential come the finals.
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