T
thebrow
Guest
How good is this. I am having so much fun watching the Roosters self destruct. After Ricky came out and apologised to members for being ****e , now comes Finch's turn. Read the bolded bit , I love it.
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I can win a premiership: Finch
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Embattled Roosters half Brett Finch is adamant he can resurrect his career fortunes and deliver the Roosters a 13th title in the near future.
The 23-year-old was recently the recipient of a savage blast from radio king Ray Hadley, who claimed the Roosters were no hope of repeating their 2002 heroics with Finch calling the shots.
But when asked today whether he had the ability to bring the NRL trophy back to Bondi Junction, Finch was adamant.
“Definitely. I believe in myself,” he said.
“We were only three points off winning one last year.
“Ray Hadley is paid to give his opinion.
“He’s got plenty of them – he’s got an opinion on everything.
“I do my best and I know I’ll be a better player than Ray Hadley will ever be.
“Once again, he’s paid to talk on radio and write a column – he’s got to fill the pages somehow.
“He’s wrong if he thinks that sort of stuff is going to have an impact on me, though.”
With rugby league great Brad Fittler outside him last season, Finch came within a whisker of winning the Dally M medal after brilliantly steering the club to its fourth grand final in five years.
But without arguably the game’s greatest ever number six next to him in 2005, the Roosters have struggled to score enough points to be competitive – seeing them slip to 12th on the NRL ladder and out of the finals race.
It’s left many critics claiming Finch cannot cut the mustard without the likes of Fittler and former Raiders team-mate Laurie Daley alongside him to ease the pressure.
“Everyone’s entitled to that opinion,” Finch continued.
“There’s been a lot of injuries and suspensions this year to key players.
“But there aren’t any excuses – we’ve come up short when it’s mattered.
“Everyone’s form has been down a touch, even a little erratic at times when you look across the board.
“People can say that (I’m nothing without Fittler) if they like.
“I’m not out there to prove them wrong.
“I’m out there to try my best and do my best for the team and the boys.”
Nevertheless, the popular playmaker has been lumped with the majority of the fans’ and commentators’ criticism for the club’s plight this year.
“It’s the position I play and it comes down to the responsibility that goes with it,” Finch explained.
“I have been criticised a lot.
“I’m happy to take the blame – I got a lot of praise last year when the side was going well.
“I guess it’s fair that I cop that criticism.”
The immense pressure aimed at Finch boiled over following Sunday’s loss to Penrith – with baseless rumours running rife in rugby league circles the Roosters were prepared to release Finch from the final two years of his contract.
But an upbeat Finch said the speculation had not fazed him.
“We’re like a bunch of old ladies when it comes to rumours and gossip – football players are awful,” Finch said.
“People start up gossip and speculation and just run with it.
“You’ve got to expect that, it’s all part of the game.
“I’m just happy that Ricky and the club came out and supported me.
“I’ve signed a two-year contract, so I don’t plan on going anywhere.
“I think I’ve coped with the pressure this year alright, it’s just my form has been down.
“That’s reflected in the team, we’ve been a bit erratic with some good and bad patches.
“Individuals can say that right across the board in the team this year.”
Finch said despite Sunday’s loss ending the Roosters’ finals hopes, the club still has plenty to play for over the next month.
“Our attack’s been criticised but we ended up scoring 28 points, which is pretty good,” Finch said.
“Our defence – which holds us together most of the time – let us down.
“We’re probably out of the race now but we’ve still got four games left to show how much pride we’ve got in us.
“We need to build something for next year.”
..........................................................................................
I can win a premiership: Finch
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Embattled Roosters half Brett Finch is adamant he can resurrect his career fortunes and deliver the Roosters a 13th title in the near future.
The 23-year-old was recently the recipient of a savage blast from radio king Ray Hadley, who claimed the Roosters were no hope of repeating their 2002 heroics with Finch calling the shots.
But when asked today whether he had the ability to bring the NRL trophy back to Bondi Junction, Finch was adamant.
“Definitely. I believe in myself,” he said.
“We were only three points off winning one last year.
“Ray Hadley is paid to give his opinion.
“He’s got plenty of them – he’s got an opinion on everything.
“I do my best and I know I’ll be a better player than Ray Hadley will ever be.
“Once again, he’s paid to talk on radio and write a column – he’s got to fill the pages somehow.
“He’s wrong if he thinks that sort of stuff is going to have an impact on me, though.”
With rugby league great Brad Fittler outside him last season, Finch came within a whisker of winning the Dally M medal after brilliantly steering the club to its fourth grand final in five years.
But without arguably the game’s greatest ever number six next to him in 2005, the Roosters have struggled to score enough points to be competitive – seeing them slip to 12th on the NRL ladder and out of the finals race.
It’s left many critics claiming Finch cannot cut the mustard without the likes of Fittler and former Raiders team-mate Laurie Daley alongside him to ease the pressure.
“Everyone’s entitled to that opinion,” Finch continued.
“There’s been a lot of injuries and suspensions this year to key players.
“But there aren’t any excuses – we’ve come up short when it’s mattered.
“Everyone’s form has been down a touch, even a little erratic at times when you look across the board.
“People can say that (I’m nothing without Fittler) if they like.
“I’m not out there to prove them wrong.
“I’m out there to try my best and do my best for the team and the boys.”
Nevertheless, the popular playmaker has been lumped with the majority of the fans’ and commentators’ criticism for the club’s plight this year.
“It’s the position I play and it comes down to the responsibility that goes with it,” Finch explained.
“I have been criticised a lot.
“I’m happy to take the blame – I got a lot of praise last year when the side was going well.
“I guess it’s fair that I cop that criticism.”
The immense pressure aimed at Finch boiled over following Sunday’s loss to Penrith – with baseless rumours running rife in rugby league circles the Roosters were prepared to release Finch from the final two years of his contract.
But an upbeat Finch said the speculation had not fazed him.
“We’re like a bunch of old ladies when it comes to rumours and gossip – football players are awful,” Finch said.
“People start up gossip and speculation and just run with it.
“You’ve got to expect that, it’s all part of the game.
“I’m just happy that Ricky and the club came out and supported me.
“I’ve signed a two-year contract, so I don’t plan on going anywhere.
“I think I’ve coped with the pressure this year alright, it’s just my form has been down.
“That’s reflected in the team, we’ve been a bit erratic with some good and bad patches.
“Individuals can say that right across the board in the team this year.”
Finch said despite Sunday’s loss ending the Roosters’ finals hopes, the club still has plenty to play for over the next month.
“Our attack’s been criticised but we ended up scoring 28 points, which is pretty good,” Finch said.
“Our defence – which holds us together most of the time – let us down.
“We’re probably out of the race now but we’ve still got four games left to show how much pride we’ve got in us.
“We need to build something for next year.”
