Tupou huge loss for the Roosters
April 22nd 2008 12:46
Tupou will be a big loss next season for the Roosters
The Sydney Roosters have so far had a week they would rather forget.
The dramatic collapse that saw the Roosters lose to the Knights on Sunday was really only the start of a major disappointment to all Chook fans.
Then came the startling allegation that Roosters boss Nick Poltis was about to offload fellow representative players Mark O'Meley and Anthony Minichiello. This caused massive disruptions to the club.
However the worst news came today as the Cronulla Sharks pulled of what can only be called a sensational coup for the club next season. Anthony Tupou's signature.
He has been the Roosters best forward this season and should be included in Australia's and NSW's plans this representative season.
But for the Roosters to let a player like Tupou leave the club is one that i believe will cost them dearly in the future.
Tupou was seen in many lights as the future captain of this great club. A devastating ball handler that could inspire opportunity let alone create it.
This has been his best start to a season since he burst onto the scene in 2004. SInce then Tupou has gone on to represent NSW and Australia, all this before 25 years of age.
The Sydney club said that they could not afford to keep the second-rower. If that was indeed the case, sacrifices must be made.
Earlier in the week, the club released Danny Nutley to the Sharks. A positive move in order to retain Tupou.
But the Roosters needed to offload more talent, preferably the likes of David Shillington and captain Craig Fitzgibbon.
These two players, although great champions and competitors, simply cannot live up to the billing of Tupou in terms of skill and power.
Shillington is a go forward player. He has not developed an offload as yet and really is not a weapon in attack.
His behaviour off the field has not been too flash either.
Craig Fitzgibbon on the other hand is playing tremendous football at the moment. He leads the pointscoring charts alongside Johnathon Thurston and looks re-energised in attack and defence.
In saying this, Fitzgibbon is reaching the twilight of his career. How many years has he got left of top quality football?
This should have been his last season with the Roosters. He is a champion bloke but he needed to make way for the club's younger brigade of talent.
Unfortunetly it is too little too late.
With Tupou gone, It is now likely the Roosters will resign Shillington and Fitzgibbon.
I hope that these two can fill the void that Tupou's departure will leave when he heads down to the Shire.
Shillington in particular has to perform big-time. He has the potential to play the game with great power and skill. The off field behaviour must clean up now. The performances on the field must live up to his potential as a future representative player for QLD and Austalia.
He has been offered a huge chance at redemption. Shillington now must take charge of his opportunity and seize what is infront of him.
If he fails the Roosters could be in a real spot of uncomfort. For four years anyway.
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