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FYI from the Telegraph
CHOOKS’ TITLE WINDOW STILL OPEN ... JUST
Tyson Jackson
The Sydney Roosters should be challenging for the premiership this year.
They have recruited the NRL’s most experienced player in Daly Cherry-Evans, the wily veteran who will pair up with one of the game’s best up-and-coming halves in Sam Walker.
The Roosters have also bolstered their hooking stocks by signing NSW Origin No.9 Reece Robson.
However, many think it’s 2026 or bust for the Chooks. Cherry-Evans will be 37 when the competition kicks off and champion players such as Daniel Tupou and reigning Dally M medallist James Tedesco are in the twilight of their careers, while Mark Nawaqanitawase is leaving for rugby union at the end of the season.
We cast an eye over their roster, rookies to watch, issues and more.
Free agency wrap and rating
(A-F):
It’s quality over quantity for the Roosters this year. They have not brought in a mountain of new talent but two representative players who can take this team to a premiership. The inclusions of Cherry-Evans and Robson have instantly turned a battling finals team into a premiership heavyweight. Cody Ramsey is the third and final new addition to the Roosters, who will not only provide great depth but be auditioning to replace Nawaqanitawase for 2027. The club has only lost players who were falling out of favour, so the Roosters have finished this year’s free agency as winners. They have also bolstered their outside backs by signing Tommy Talau from Manly on a two-year deal.
Rating: A+
Coach status and safety ratings:
Trent Robinson is in the same realm as Craig Bellamy at the Storm – as long as he wants the job, he should have it. If the team somehow capitulates, questions will be asked, but that would be the shock of the season. Robinson is safe and if the season goes the way it’s supposed to, he will only become safer.
Rating: A
Likely debutants
Jake Elliott
The Roosters only have two players in their squad who are yet to play in the NRL and Elliott will be gearing for a debut in the latter stages of the year. He adds a layer of depth in the halves and will be ready if called upon to showcase his talents at NRL level.
Toby Rodwell
Another one of the Roosters’ young halves, Rodwell is seen as the future of the club. The young playmaker has been impressive coming through the grades and if any injuries hit the Roosters’ halves, Rodwell looks ready to answer the call.
Who takes the next step?
Sam Walker
With DCE beside him, the NRL will see the best version of Walker. Not only will his running game improve with Cherry-Evans taking some pressure off, Walker will learn from his halves partner about what it takes to be a controlling half. If injury free, Walker will be discussed as one of the premier halves in the competition.
Naufahu Whyte
Not only has the Kiwi established himself as an elite front-rower, he’s a great season away from being crowned the best prop in the game. Whyte perfectly slid into the role made famous by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and is one of the Roosters’ most important players. He lays the platform for the Roosters’ attack and he has the ability to allow Walker and Cherry-Evans to play a free-flowing style off the back of his work.
Crystal ball
The Roosters will be in their first grand final since 2019 and look the strongest club in the NRL heading into 2026. The club has found a new version of what Cooper Cronk brought in back-to-back premiership years in 2018-19 and Cherry-Evans will be the signing of 2026.
Three Burning issues:
Where does Hugo play?
Hugo Savala has made his intentions clear that he wants to fight for a spot at the club, after The Daily Telegraph revealed he was set to sign a two-year extension at the Roosters. What
role he plays in 2026 remains to be seen. He’s big enough to play lock and offers enough versatility for Robinson to consider giving him a bench role.
Where does Watson fit?
Connor Watson’s biggest weapon may turn into his biggest curse. Watson is the best utility in the game but with the inclusion of Robson, how will the 29-year-old get on to the field? Robson is an 80-minute hooker and Victor Radley is expected to bust out big game time at lock but Watson needs to be in the club’s best 17. It may be time for Watson to permanently switch to lock. That would push Radley to the second row and Suia Wong to the bench.
2026 or bust
The Roosters will have this season to win a premiership or it could be a while until they again have success. They will have Cherry-Evans and Nawaqanitawase together for only one year and the likes of Angus Crichton, James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou
are all set to either retire or change codes in the coming years. The Roosters’ premiership window has been flung wide open but after this year, players will start to drop away and the window will close just as quickly.
CHOOKS’ TITLE WINDOW STILL OPEN ... JUST
Tyson Jackson
The Sydney Roosters should be challenging for the premiership this year.
They have recruited the NRL’s most experienced player in Daly Cherry-Evans, the wily veteran who will pair up with one of the game’s best up-and-coming halves in Sam Walker.
The Roosters have also bolstered their hooking stocks by signing NSW Origin No.9 Reece Robson.
However, many think it’s 2026 or bust for the Chooks. Cherry-Evans will be 37 when the competition kicks off and champion players such as Daniel Tupou and reigning Dally M medallist James Tedesco are in the twilight of their careers, while Mark Nawaqanitawase is leaving for rugby union at the end of the season.
We cast an eye over their roster, rookies to watch, issues and more.
Free agency wrap and rating
(A-F):
It’s quality over quantity for the Roosters this year. They have not brought in a mountain of new talent but two representative players who can take this team to a premiership. The inclusions of Cherry-Evans and Robson have instantly turned a battling finals team into a premiership heavyweight. Cody Ramsey is the third and final new addition to the Roosters, who will not only provide great depth but be auditioning to replace Nawaqanitawase for 2027. The club has only lost players who were falling out of favour, so the Roosters have finished this year’s free agency as winners. They have also bolstered their outside backs by signing Tommy Talau from Manly on a two-year deal.
Rating: A+
Coach status and safety ratings:
Trent Robinson is in the same realm as Craig Bellamy at the Storm – as long as he wants the job, he should have it. If the team somehow capitulates, questions will be asked, but that would be the shock of the season. Robinson is safe and if the season goes the way it’s supposed to, he will only become safer.
Rating: A
Likely debutants
Jake Elliott
The Roosters only have two players in their squad who are yet to play in the NRL and Elliott will be gearing for a debut in the latter stages of the year. He adds a layer of depth in the halves and will be ready if called upon to showcase his talents at NRL level.
Toby Rodwell
Another one of the Roosters’ young halves, Rodwell is seen as the future of the club. The young playmaker has been impressive coming through the grades and if any injuries hit the Roosters’ halves, Rodwell looks ready to answer the call.
Who takes the next step?
Sam Walker
With DCE beside him, the NRL will see the best version of Walker. Not only will his running game improve with Cherry-Evans taking some pressure off, Walker will learn from his halves partner about what it takes to be a controlling half. If injury free, Walker will be discussed as one of the premier halves in the competition.
Naufahu Whyte
Not only has the Kiwi established himself as an elite front-rower, he’s a great season away from being crowned the best prop in the game. Whyte perfectly slid into the role made famous by Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and is one of the Roosters’ most important players. He lays the platform for the Roosters’ attack and he has the ability to allow Walker and Cherry-Evans to play a free-flowing style off the back of his work.
Crystal ball
The Roosters will be in their first grand final since 2019 and look the strongest club in the NRL heading into 2026. The club has found a new version of what Cooper Cronk brought in back-to-back premiership years in 2018-19 and Cherry-Evans will be the signing of 2026.
Three Burning issues:
Where does Hugo play?
Hugo Savala has made his intentions clear that he wants to fight for a spot at the club, after The Daily Telegraph revealed he was set to sign a two-year extension at the Roosters. What
role he plays in 2026 remains to be seen. He’s big enough to play lock and offers enough versatility for Robinson to consider giving him a bench role.
Where does Watson fit?
Connor Watson’s biggest weapon may turn into his biggest curse. Watson is the best utility in the game but with the inclusion of Robson, how will the 29-year-old get on to the field? Robson is an 80-minute hooker and Victor Radley is expected to bust out big game time at lock but Watson needs to be in the club’s best 17. It may be time for Watson to permanently switch to lock. That would push Radley to the second row and Suia Wong to the bench.
2026 or bust
The Roosters will have this season to win a premiership or it could be a while until they again have success. They will have Cherry-Evans and Nawaqanitawase together for only one year and the likes of Angus Crichton, James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou
are all set to either retire or change codes in the coming years. The Roosters’ premiership window has been flung wide open but after this year, players will start to drop away and the window will close just as quickly.
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