Brad Fittler has expressed serious concerns over the Sydney Roosters’ depth as they prepare for a must-win clash with Melbourne on Friday night.
The ex-captain, who lifted the 2002 premiership trophy, believes Trent Robinson’s side is being exposed once their starting pack leaves the field.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth’s Tips, Fittler admitted: “I’m nervous about the Roosters bench. Very young, and you could see against Parramatta, had very little impact. (Salesi) Foketi and (Egan) Butcher … Siua Wong. It’s a big job and you’ve got to make an impact.”
Finals fate on the line
That lack of firepower was evident in last week’s defeat to the Eels, when Spencer Leniu, Lindsay Collins and Naufahu Whyte were interchanged and the Roosters lost control of the contest.
With halfback Sam Walker already missing under concussion protocols and Brandon Smith’s off-field saga bubbling away, the pressure on Robinson’s rotations is only intensifying.
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The Roosters’ bench this week includes 21-year-old hooker Benaiah Ioelu, a relative unknown expected to play only limited minutes. By contrast, the Storm can call upon the returning Nelson Asofa-Solomona, while youngster Jonah Pezet has been lauded for his influence when introduced late in games.
A defeat on Friday would leave the Roosters vulnerable to both Manly and the Dolphins in the race for eighth, setting up a tense final round in the battle for the last finals spot.