Rarely one to step into the limelight, Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis has slammed the NRL club’s “jealous” critics and claimed coach Trent Robinson may one day rival Jack Gibson.
The Roosters chairman is considered one of the code’s most powerful figures but also the most elusive, usually adopting a low profile at the glamour club.
However, Politis has opted not to fly under the radar ahead of the Roosters’ preliminary final clash with Melbourne on Saturday night.
In fact, Politis came out swinging on the club’s website podcast Roosters Radio by dismissing salary cap rorting gossip and talking up Robinson.
Politis was quick to slam critics over constant speculation the Roosters wore a “salary sombrero” and paid players outside of the cap.
“It doesn’t worry me. It’s just jealousy,” he said.
“We manage our list and salary cap well because when you look at our players we’ve got 23 players out of the current top 30 list since they were in under 20s.
“Therefore when you run your salary cap that way, you come out with a much better result rather than buying from the outside.
“When you buy from outside all the time, you tend to pay more.”
Still, the Roosters have a history of poaching players and critics point to their current roster to support the theory with Cooper Cronk, James Tedesco, Angus Crichton and Luke Keary on the books.
Inspirational skipper Boyd Cordner was also brought in from Newcastle’s junior system as a 17-year-old two years before making his NRL debut.
But Politis countered: “Of course we got Tedesco and Cooper Cronk but most of our players come from within.
“That’s a much more efficient way of managing your salary cap and staying within the cap.
“But we’ve got that profile – the Eastern Suburbs high profile, high roller – so everybody just bags (us) and has a go at us because basically they’re bloody jealous.
“Who cares? Let them.”
After spruiking their salary cap nous, Politis then gave Robinson a rap by claiming the Roosters coach may one day “catch up” with Gibson’s haul of five premierships.
Super coach Gibson won two of his five titles at the Roosters while Robinson already has two premierships to his name with the promise of another after guiding the Tri-Colours to the grand final qualifier.
“One (Gibson) has got five – two with us, three with Parramatta – but then Robbo has got two so he’s on the way,” Politis said.
“He’s only just over 40 so he’s got a few years. He might catch up to the great Jack.”
Politis’ only complaint was that the Roosters were playing the 2018 grand final re-match a week early.
“To me it’s like a mini grand final. We’re playing the grand final a week early,” he said of Saturday’s clash.