Sydney Roosters inspirational captain Braith Anasta has stated that the way in which his side conducts themselves in 2011 will determine if they learnt anything from a grand final loss.
In what was a poor sec0nd-half for the Roosters, conceding 26 points, a performance that left the entire Roosters team heart-broken and dwelling on what could have been had things gone their way.
In the last year however, the club has turned their fortunes around drastically with a reformed Todd Carney firing, and one of the games best coaches in Brian Smith nurturing the younger players, and instilling them with his own unique style of coaching.
What remains to be seen however is whether or not the Roosters can replicate their form of 2010, and whether they can again be a force to be reckoned with.
From 2009 to 2010, the Roosters improved drastically. Doing the same in 2011 however, will be even more difficult given the stellar season that the Roosters had.
“We’ll find out next year,” Anasta said when asked if the club would take anything from the grand final loss.
“They’ll learn a lot from not just (that game) but the whole year, I think they were fantastic.
“I’m proud of every individual – I told them that before we played – and I thought they had done their club very proud.
“It’s definitely restored pride in the Roosters jersey.”
Somewhat reluctant to do so after their loss, captain Braith Anasta, coach Brian Smith and the other players acknowledged the clubs tremendous turn-around in just one year.
The players and coach remain optimistic for the 2011 season given that the club have kept the core of their side together, and added a few talented players to their roster.
Raiders winger Justin Carney and Cowboys utility Anthony Watts were the key purchases, with Lopini Paea and James Aubusson the only two players who seem destined to leave the club.
Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce will once again be the key to the Roosters success in 2011, and the two will be looking to build on the impenetrable partnership they developed over the course of the year.