Roosters promote game in obscurity
July 27th 2008 09:30
That's more like it - the Roosters celebrate a great win alongside many fans
Sonny Bill Williams must love being hated now.
His departure will let fans know that loyalty in sport is gone. Money has become the trade players seek to obtain, not mateship.
The buzz generated by Williams and his departure to France has overshadowed what was a brilliant Sunday afternoon of football.
The Sydney Football stadium pulled up over 22,000 people for the top four clash between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly Sea Eagles.
Under a sky promising as much trouble as Williams himself, the Roosters went about hosting their fan day, allowing kids under sixteen years of age free entry.
There was nothing better to love than to see all those fans run out after fulltime and greet all their heroes.
The beautiful nature of rugby league was exposed in an afternoon as dull as any of the events of the past twenty four hours.
As people start to wonder about the NRL's future, the Roosters went about playing a terrific game of football against ladder leaders Manly.
Fans who turned up did not leave empty handed. The last time these two teams met, Manly put on a show of their own, winning 42-0 back in round 13.
Only this time, the Roosters had all their personal, and the Sea Eagles were missing some of their own.
Brad Fittler's men took the chances presented to them and put Manly away for a 22 point victory.
A piece of rationalisation perhaps.
Although Williams has captured the mass media attention, the Roosters latched the support the NRL truly needs to survive.
Conversations were aplenty as thousands stormed the ground after full time to meet some legends of the game. Literally no tension whatsoever.
If the Roosters victory today is remembered for anything, let it be thought of as the day the NRL started building towards the future.
On the field, the Roosters finally regained the touches that put them on terms this season to counteract any threat the likes of Melbourne and Manly throw at them.
At full strength, the Roosters have enough in them to fund doubt to plague the minds of all teams in this competition.
Their forward pack can endanger the most stiff of defences, while their backline can make scoring tries seem pretty general.
Roosters centre Iosia Soliola played his best game for the tri-colours. With the ball in hand he was unstoppable. In defence ,he was the headquarter for much pain for opposing centre Steve Bell.
Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark O'Meley were eager as per usual. Willie Mason was solid, still speaking aloud not matter who tries to shut him up.
The heat generated from the Roosters performance today is one that looks set to fuel their premiership campaign.
Failure however to take advantage of under strength opposition has hurt their cause. Sydney should have beaten the Titans and the Raiders judging by today’s performance.
While the tactics back then failed, their tactics today allowed both the fans and the Roosters to blossom.
The avenue of success generated by the "see you on Sunday" campaign has provided enough ammunition for the NRL to shoot down the controversies surrounding leagues centenary season.
All those involved should be congratulated in pushing the Roosters premiership dream out onto the streets of Sydney. In this age of chasing greens, the tri colours were chasing support from all those desperate to help solve a problem that has enlarged with Williams' departure.
There is no doubt the player exodus surrounding the NRL is a bleeding issue that must be stopped.
Approaches from overseas are circling thick and fast, knowing full well that players are furious for cash.
As the NRL rounds out a week full of drama, the Roosters this afternoon released fans from all the trauma surrounding the game and allowed them to enjoy the clear purpose of attending a game of footy. Enjoyment and family.
At least the Roosters are playing their part.
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