I dont want to sound like im bagging the Roosters, but I thought that they wouldn't make the top 8 at the start of the season (as in before it started). But I didnt think Manly would either, and it looks like they will, but i did think that Cronulla would make it in 7th or 8th spot and it looks like we might, so its all just predictions on players and time needed to gel. But the Roosters, like Newcastle without John's, lost its key puzzle piece and that almost always means a team have to take at least half a season to addapt, and in most cases more than half a season. Im sure that the Roosters will be back stronger next year, I wouldnt say that they would be top 4 contenders because Anasta will take a while to fit in IMO. I think if you give them 2 years they'll be back, not at the same level as they where with Freddy, but top 4 contenders. But this is just my opinion, nothing more, so it probably means nothing but thats just the way it appears to me.