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Five Roosters Greats Awarded Life Membership at 2026 AGM
Five Roosters Greats Awarded Life Membership at 2026 AGM
19 Feb 2026, 06:42 PM
The Sydney Roosters proudly award Life Membership to five distinguished Club greats.
Spanning nearly seven decades of service, the Class of 2026 reflects the enduring standards that underpin our Football Club.
Each inductee has made a significant and lasting contribution through lengthy and dedicated playing careers in the red, white and blue. The Class of 2026 recognises Ken Ashcroft and Les Hayes from the 1950s through to the 1970s, Craig Salvatori and Brendan Hall across the 1980s and 1990s, and Sydney Roosters highest capped, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of the modern era.
2026 Life Members
Ken Ashcroft (Player No. 476), the club’s first grade hooker for 11 seasons from 1957 to 1967, retired from the game as the fourth most capped first grader for the Club, behind only three Roosters Hall of Famers. He was the hooker in the Club’s 1960 Grand Final team that was defeated by the great St George team, and was one of the great club servants of his era.
Les Hayes (Player No. 566) was also a Rooster for 11 seasons; his Club career commencing in 1965 and finishing up in 1975. The utility back retired having played the greatest number of grade games for the Club at the time. The ultimate clubman, Les was revered by all those he played with and against. He captained the club in our 1974 Reserve Grade Grand Final loss to Newtown.
Craig Salvatori (Player No. 804) was the Club’s first grade captain from 1992 to 1995 and played 10 seasons of first grade at the Club from 1986 to 1995. During the early 1990s he was the Club’s most valuable player and one of the game’s premier prop forwards, representing NSW and Australia and being crowned Dally M Prop of the Year in 1991.
Brendan Hall (Player No. 813) was another great club servant, with a stellar Roosters playing career for more than a decade. The Club’s Player of the Year in 1985, Brendan was a tenacious five eighth and one the Club’s stars in our run to the 1987 Preliminary Final. He was the 9th player in the club’s history to play 150 first grade games.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Player No. 1105) retired as the Club’s most capped first grader. The 2012 Jack Gibson medallist played in four NRL grand finals, winning three Premierships and three World Club Championships. Whilst at the Roosters he played 29 of his 33 tests for the Kiwis and will be remembered as one the Club’s greatest ever prop forwards.
Life Membership of the Football Club represents the highest honour bestowed upon those who have provided significant, sustained and distinguished service to the Club. It remains an exclusive and deeply respected group.
As the Club enters its 119th season, the induction of the Class of 2026 brings the total number of Life Members to 110 - a testament to the rarity of this recognition. Of those honoured across our history, 68 have since passed, leaving an enduring legacy within the Club.
https://www.roosters.com.au/news/202...p-at-2026-agm/
19 Feb 2026, 06:42 PM
The Sydney Roosters proudly award Life Membership to five distinguished Club greats.
Spanning nearly seven decades of service, the Class of 2026 reflects the enduring standards that underpin our Football Club.
Each inductee has made a significant and lasting contribution through lengthy and dedicated playing careers in the red, white and blue. The Class of 2026 recognises Ken Ashcroft and Les Hayes from the 1950s through to the 1970s, Craig Salvatori and Brendan Hall across the 1980s and 1990s, and Sydney Roosters highest capped, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves of the modern era.
2026 Life Members
Ken Ashcroft (Player No. 476), the club’s first grade hooker for 11 seasons from 1957 to 1967, retired from the game as the fourth most capped first grader for the Club, behind only three Roosters Hall of Famers. He was the hooker in the Club’s 1960 Grand Final team that was defeated by the great St George team, and was one of the great club servants of his era.
- Roosters First Grade Games: 146 (1957 – 1967).
Les Hayes (Player No. 566) was also a Rooster for 11 seasons; his Club career commencing in 1965 and finishing up in 1975. The utility back retired having played the greatest number of grade games for the Club at the time. The ultimate clubman, Les was revered by all those he played with and against. He captained the club in our 1974 Reserve Grade Grand Final loss to Newtown.
- Roosters First Grade Games: 57 (1966 – 1971, 1973 - 1975).
- Total Roosters Grade Games: 232 (1965 – 1975)
Craig Salvatori (Player No. 804) was the Club’s first grade captain from 1992 to 1995 and played 10 seasons of first grade at the Club from 1986 to 1995. During the early 1990s he was the Club’s most valuable player and one of the game’s premier prop forwards, representing NSW and Australia and being crowned Dally M Prop of the Year in 1991.
- Roosters First Grade Games: 117 (1986 - 1995)
- Total Roosters Grade Games: 188 (1985 – 1995)
Brendan Hall (Player No. 813) was another great club servant, with a stellar Roosters playing career for more than a decade. The Club’s Player of the Year in 1985, Brendan was a tenacious five eighth and one the Club’s stars in our run to the 1987 Preliminary Final. He was the 9th player in the club’s history to play 150 first grade games.
- Roosters First Grade Games: 159 (1985 - 1995)
- Total Roosters Grade Games: 225 (1985 – 1995)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Player No. 1105) retired as the Club’s most capped first grader. The 2012 Jack Gibson medallist played in four NRL grand finals, winning three Premierships and three World Club Championships. Whilst at the Roosters he played 29 of his 33 tests for the Kiwis and will be remembered as one the Club’s greatest ever prop forwards.
- Roosters First Grade Games: 310 (2010 - 2024)
Life Membership of the Football Club represents the highest honour bestowed upon those who have provided significant, sustained and distinguished service to the Club. It remains an exclusive and deeply respected group.
As the Club enters its 119th season, the induction of the Class of 2026 brings the total number of Life Members to 110 - a testament to the rarity of this recognition. Of those honoured across our history, 68 have since passed, leaving an enduring legacy within the Club.
https://www.roosters.com.au/news/202...p-at-2026-agm/
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