The Best We've Ever Seen: Mitchell Aubusson
Able to adapt to any position or situation thrust upon him; teammates, coaches and fans regard Mitchell Aubusson as one of the greatest clubmen in Roosters history.
| Name: | Mitchell John Aubusson |
| Nickname: | Aubo, 306 |
| DOB: | 01/10/1987 |
| Club Debut: | Round 1, 2007 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Roosters Player No. | 1067 |
| First Grade Games for Club: | 306 |
| First Grade Points for Club: | 272 from 68 tries |
| Premierships: | 3 (2013, 2018, 2019) |
| Representative Career: | 2 games for NSW Country (2016-2017) 1 game for NRL All Stars (2017) |
| Individual Accolades: | James Mathews Clubman of the Year (2011, 2015, 2016) Sydney Roosters Captain (2017 Auckland Nines) Third Player to Reach 300 Game Milestone for Club (2020) Most Games for Club (306) |
Headhunted to play for the Club by legendary player, coach and talent scout Arthur Beetson, Aubusson arrived in Bondi via Ballina on New South Wales' far north coast as a sixteen-year-old in 2004 with plenty of promise.
A talented five-eighth in his junior years, he climbed through the Club's junior representative sides, featuring in the NSW Cup Grand Final in 2006 with feeder club Newtown at just eighteen years of age.
Making his first-grade debut in Round 1, 2007, Aubusson would go on to feature in seventeen matches in the Club's 100th season - showing the versatility that would become a defining aspect of his long and fruitful career, playing five-eighth, lock, centre and the interchange bench.
Mitchell Aubusson Career Highlights
The following year the 21-year-old bettered his tally to 22 appearances in Rugby League's centenary season, holding a place in the centres as the Tricolours reached the finals for the first time since 2004.
Season 2010 would be a coming of age year for the loyal clubman, playing 26 matches - all in the second row - as the Roosters charged through to the Grand Final, scoring a try on the day to put the side ahead at half-time.
Although a title would elude the Roosters on that occasion, the remainder of the decade would prove to be one of the best in Eastern Suburbs history - with Aubusson playing a pivotal role in the Club's modern-day success.
After claiming his first James Mathews Clubman of the Year award in 2011, the talented utility crossed off his first milestone the following season, completing a century of appearances all in the Red, White and Blue.
But it would be 2013 which culminated his first Premiership title, playing in 26 matches through the season, highlighted by his trademark versatility as he rotated between the second row, centre and the bench to lift the Club's 13th Premiership.
Aubusson was at the forefront of the side's rise under Trent Robinson, playing eight consecutive seasons with 22 or more appearances - a testament to his durability and longevity as both an individual and teammate.
A member of the Minor Premiership winning sides from 2013-2015, long overdue representative honours were achieved in 2016 with an appearance for NSW Country.
Aubusson Post Match Tribute
In 2017, Aubusson was named as captain for the Roosters' Auckland Nines triumph, guiding an exciting, young side to the title - the Club's first pre-season competition win since the 1993 World Sevens.
He was rewarded with a second Country appearance the following season, along with a cap for the NRL All Stars in a year which saw him reach 200 games for the Club.
But it would be his final three seasons would see him etched in memories of Roosters diehards.
With halfback Cooper Cronk in doubt with a shoulder injury heading into the 2018 Grand Final, Aubusson was famously named in the no.7 jersey throughout the week - despite not having played a single match in first-grade at halfback.
While he eventually lined up in the back row with Cronk taking the field, the uncertainty and anticipation created one of the more memorable anecdotes in Club history en route to the title.
Mitchell Aubusson announces his retirement
The following season Aubusson went from a centre and bench role to staking a claim in the second row in the tightly-fought 14-8 victory against the Canberra Raiders as the Roosters famously went back-to-back.
In his final year in the top grade, Aubusson created his own history by becoming just the third player for the Club to reach the 300-game milestone, appropriately scoring a try in the 24-16 win over St George Illawarra as the Roosters took home the Lone Pine Cup.
Three weeks later he became the most-capped player of all time for the Club and again found himself on the scoresheet within the first few minutes in a memorable 34-18 defeat of Cronulla at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Playing his final match at the SCG in the second week of the finals, Aubusson was honoured with a guard of honour in his 306th match in the Red, White and Blue, concluding a glittering fourteen-year career.
Most people know how much it means to me to be a part of this Club and making sure that it is one of the greatest sporting teams in Australia. I can’t do it on the field anymore, but I want to make sure I can do it off the field.
Mitchell Aubusson On his career at the Club
He finished his career as the only player in Club history to play 100 games in two different positions - 100 times in the centres and 129 in the second row - and as one of only four Roosters to play in three World Club Challenge victories.
Following retirement, the Club has remained as his home in multiple roles as a recruitment officer, in football operations and as a Club ambassador, proudly adorning the Rooster on his chest to this day.
As a passionate clubman who put his team first on every occasion he took the field, Roosters Members and supporters look fondly back on the career of Mitchell Aubusson and his excellence in versatility.
Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
