Jake Friend did his best to be polite when peppered with questions about Victor Radley coming for his No.9 jersey – but the Roosters rake admitted it was tough hearing calls for him to be replaced by the popular rookie.
Radley has emerged as a fan favourite with his bursts off the bench at dummy-half, a reputation that was further enhanced by his try-saving tackle on Dylan Walker in the two-point victory over Manly on Sunday.
‘I wasn’t very happy with myself’: Roosters hooker Jake Friend.
Radley was hoping to escape a one-match ban for a shot on Marty Taupau at the judiciary on Tuesday night and join the Roosters first road trip of the season against the New Zealand Warriors.
Coach Trent Robinson launched a passionate defence of Friend only a few weeks ago when fans pleaded for the hooker to be hooked for Radley midway through the second half against Souths.
On Tuesday, Friend said "Rads" was a likeable "larrikin" with a huge future, but he was determined he would remain the starting No.9.
"It's shit to hear, but what can you do? People will say it," Friend said of the external push for rookie Radley to start.
"People are entitled to their opinion. There were a few games I wasn't very happy with myself, and it hasn't been the start to the season I've wanted or the club's wanted.
"If you listen to all that stuff, it will wear you down. For me, it's been about getting in here, doing everything I can here and getting some rhythm at training and in the games.
"Vic played lock on weekend and came on and did a good job. I'm not sure how we'll progress with the interchange going forward, but for me it's about doing my role, I'm very clear with what 'Robbo' wants from me.
"All the outside stuff, it's there, you hear it, but I have to let it go and do my thing for the boys here.
"Personally, you want to get better, and for this team I want to be in a better position than we are when I'm talking to you next in six weeks.''
Radley, 20, is a rare Roosters junior and has his own fan club, a group Friend said consisted of some passionate "Bronte boardriders".
"He's a local boy, he loves footy, he's very professional, but he's also a larrikin and cracks jokes. He's 'Rads', you expect it from 'Rads'," Friend said.
"He's only young, but he's got that rigidness and body for the NRL already. His tackles in general are solid, and he's going to be an awesome player."
Friend spoke with Robinson during the summer about playing fewer minutes in a bid to have more of an impact in attack, but was more than comfortable to play the full 80 minutes if required. He felt fresh with the reduced workload after the first nine rounds.
The nuggety hooker, regarded as the heart and soul of the Chooks, continues to grow his combination with halves Cooper Cronk and Luke Keary, and new fullback James Tedesco, who celebrates 100 NRL games on Saturday.
"There are some highlights in those 100 games – I'm sure the highlights reel is a long one – and I'm looking forward to supporting his 100th," Friend said.
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