You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content

2020 - Present

With many of the Premiership heroes of 2018-19 retired or moving on, the next crop of champions have begun their dynasty as a new era of the Club begins.

2020 - The World Takes a Turn

Played: 22
Won: 14
Lost: 8
Drawn: 0
Final Position: Fifth

The retirement of champion halfback Cooper Cronk and damaging centre Latrell Mitchell failed to deter the men from Bondi in their quest of gaining a record fifth World Club Challenge title.

Young halfback Kyle Flanagan proved his worth in the 20-12 win over St Helens, with halves partner Luke Keary earning man of the match honours, while a welcomed boost came with the recruitment of veteran centre Josh Morris, joining his brother Brett at the Club. 

2020 World Club Challenge Highlights: Roosters vs St Helens

However, external factors would come into play after just two rounds as the competition was postponed for two months while health authorities scrambled to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

With the world spinning into a frenzy, players from all clubs were confined to a bubble as Members and supporters were forced into a snap lockdown through an arduous two-month hiatus. 

After emerging from hibernation, the Roosters' season returned in strong fashion with a solid 28-12 thumping of arch-rivals Souths, before a record 59-nil demolition of the Brisbane Broncos in front of eerily empty stadiums.

SBW Is Back

The Roosters were handed a blow in their Round 7 match against St George Illawarra, with Premiership winners and fan favourites Victor Radley and Sam Verrills succumbing to the dreaded ACL rupture.  

Winger Matt Ikuvalu became the first player in 55 years to score five tries in a match in the 42-16 thumping of North Queensland in Round 9, while clubman Mitchell Aubusson became the newest member of the 300 Club in Round 13 - breaking the all-time record a few weeks later in a 34-18 defeat of Cronulla. 

No doubt one of the biggest moments of the season came as 2013 Premiership-winner Sonny Bill Williams made a stunning comeback to the NRL at age 34 following an injury toll that saw eleven of the starting seventeen sidelined. 

Williams' presence was a much-needed boost both on and off the field, however, the wear and tear in their search for a three-peat saw inconsistencies as the season reached its close, culminating in a final round defeat to South Sydney, a shock 60-8 loss that very few could have predicted. 

Mitchell Aubusson Career Highlights

Easts somewhat recovered against Premiership favourites Penrith, but in the first week of finals they fell to the young and enthusiastic Panthers 29-28 in a nail-biter, needing to overcome their 2019 Grand Final opponents to keep their season alive.

In deflating circumstances, the hopes of a three-peat were dashed against the Canberra Raiders at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in a tightly-fought 18-22 defeat - which also saw the final appearance of Aubusson, who was cheered off the ground in a sombre moment for the Club. 

Debutants: Kyle Flanagan, Josh Morris, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Max Bailey, Christian Tuipulotu, Freddy Lussick

2020 NRLW - Return to the Summit

Bouncing back from their winless season, the Red, White and Blue powered through to their second decider in three years, bolstered by the additions of rugby talent Charlotte Caslick, Yasmin Meakes and Grace Hamilton. 

Starting with an emphatic 18-4 victory over St George Illawarra in the opening round in the nation's capital, the Roosters' momentum continued as they downed New Zealand 22-12 in Parramatta.

Played: 4
Won: 2
Lost: 2
Drawn: 0
Final Position: Runner Up

Despite a third-round loss to the Broncos at Homebush, the side had all but tied up a meeting with their 2018 Grand Final opponents in the decider the following week and looking to claim their inaugural title.

In a hard-fought battle of attrition, the Tricolours fought back from an early deficit thanks to Meakes and interchange hooker Quincy Dodd to force a 10-12 halftime score, but the second half saw the Broncos charge home 20-10 in a heartbreaker.

Debutants: Charlotte Caslick, Kennedy Cherrington, Filomina Hanisi, Jocelyn Kelleher, Yasmin Clydsdale (née Meakes), Kaitlyn Phillips, Grace Hamilton, Amelia Mafi 

2021 - Adversity Personified

Played: 26
Won: 15
Lost: 9
Drawn: 0
Final Position: Fifth

Season 2021 will be remembered as one of the most courageous performances from any Roosters outfit in history. 

A horrendous injury toll that included season-ending injuries to Luke Keary and Lindsay Collins along with the premature retirements of Captains Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend as well as veteran winger Brett Morris saw the Tricolours on the back foot from the outset after just twelve weeks. 

Boyd Cordner Retirement Press Conference

If things didn't look like getting worse, they did as soon as July began - with covid-19 protocols ramped up another gear, ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys and his team enforced a dramatic step to uproot the competition to Queensland for the remainder of the season.

Robinson and his Roosters had every excuse to roll over and surrender, however, they did exactly the opposite in their short tenure up in the sunshine state. 

There were plenty of positives to come from the season too; the appointed captaincy of James Tedesco, exciting teenagers Sam Walker and Joseph Suaalii making their long-awaited debuts as well as an exciting 'devil-may-care' playing style that resulted in plenty of memorable victories. 

2021 Season Highlights

Prior to the carnage of injuries, the Roosters began the season with their biggest-ever Round 1 victory against the Sea Eagles (46-4), before thrashing the Wests Tigers in Campbelltown one week later, 40-6.

A memorable ANZAC Day triumph, which marked the long-awaited return of the Bondi Blue Wartime Jersey saw Walker claim the Ashton-Collier Medal with a scintillating man-of-the-match performance.

The dynamic halfback was also the hero in Round 14, kicking the match-winning field goal against the Gold Coast Titans, and replicated his efforts in the first week of finals in similar circumstances up in Townsville. 

Jake Friend Career Highlights

While the efforts and determination of the side propelled them beyond expectations, their season ended with a disappointing loss to the Sea Eagles in the second week of finals closing out their unforgettable year. 

The Tricolours bid farewell to both Morris twins, Brett and Josh, as well as journeyman centre Dale Copley and 200-game Premiership-winner Isaac Liu, with plenty of cause for optimism in the seasons ahead. 

Debutants: Adam Keighran, Fletcher Baker, Ben Marschke, Sam Walker, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i, Egan Butcher, Ben Thomas, Naufahu Whyte, Brad Abbey, Moala Graham-Taufa

2021 NRLW - Champions at Last 

After two agonising Grand Final defeats, the Sydney Roosters 2021 NRLW squad completed one of the greatest turnarounds in the Club's history to claim their inaugural title in emphatic circumstances under incoming Coach John Strange. 

Star centre Jessica Sergis and unheralded halfback Raecene McGregor proved pivotal in the side's charge, as they overcame opening defeats to the Broncos (a match which saw the side field nine new faces) and the Gold Coast Titans.

Played: 7
Won: 4
Lost: 3
Drawn: 0
Final Position: Premiers

In their first match on the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground, the Tricolours crowed with a 28-12 win over newcomers Newcastle and backed their effort with a tense 19-18 win over the Parramatta Eels thanks to a Zahara Temara field goal.

Despite dropping their final match to the Dragons, the Roosters found themselves in finals contention thanks to the Broncos' thumping of the Eels, and found themselves locked into a battle against Brisbane for a Grand Final spot.

In one of the most famous wins in Club history, the Tricolours rallied from 16-nil down to post a 22-16 comeback, ending the three-year reign of the Broncos, and backed up their effort with an almighty 16-4 Grand Final victory over the Dragons in Redcliffe, with Captain Corban Baxter lifting the trophy on her 28th birthday. 

Debutants: Shawden Burton, Olivia Higgins, Keilee Joseph, Simone Karpani, Olivia Kernick, Raecene McGregor, Taylor-Adeline Mapusua, Tayla Predebon, Jessica Sergis, Leianne Tufuga, Mya Hill-Moana, Samantha Economos, Joeli Morris 

2022 - Re-establishing the Roosters

Played: 25
Won: 15
Lost: 10
Drawn: 0
Final Position: Eighth

Following a season that featured a horror run of injuries and monumental adversity, the Tricolours looked to re-establish themselves as a Premiership threat under James Tedesco. 

With new combinations looking to be established, particularly in the spine featuring Luke Keary and Sam Walker, the Roosters began 2022 in clunky fashion, winning four of their opening eight matches. 

While there were certainly some memorable wins - including the Round 6 defeat of the New Zealand Warriors celebrating the Club's 20th anniversary of the 2002 Premiership - by mid-year they had slumped to tenth position on the ladder.

'02 Legends Reflect on Reunion

Not to be deterred, the Red, White and Blue surged through the back end of the season off the back of mid-season acquisition Matt Lodge, to string together an eight-match winning streak.

The purple patch began with a 54-26 thumping of St George Illawarra on the Central Coast, and included Tedesco celebrating his 200th NRL match with a 32-18 victory over second-placed North Queensland.

But the gem in the crown came in the last month of football; a 72-6 demolition in the side's final match at the SCG over the Wests Tigers, recording the biggest-ever Rugby League win at the venue. 

Round 23 Highlights: Roosters vs Tigers

That was followed by a match down in Melbourne with an intensity that rivalled a finals match as Jared Waerea-Hargreaves proved his enforcer tag with a colossal performance in the 18-14 win. 

Easts marked the grand opening of their brand-new, state-of-the-art home - Allianz Stadium - with a dominant 26-16 win over South Sydney to finish off the season in sixth place. 

Unfortunately, the men from Bondi left their worst performance til last - a rematch with Souths in the first week of finals saw the side capitulate in a hostile match dubbed as 'Sin Bin Sunday' - with a record seven players sent for ten minute spells.

James Tedesco 2022 Jack Gibson Medal Acceptance Speech

A raft of injuries throughout the match threatened to derail the Roosters, who fought courageously throughout, however, their season had ended - arguably prematurely - to a 30-14 scoreline. 

Tedesco created history by becoming the first player to claim the Club's most coveted award - the Jack Gibson Medal - for a record fifth time, and doing so in consecutive seasons nonetheless. 

Debutants: Kevin Naiqama, Terrell May, Matt Lodge, Oliver Gildart

2022 NRLW - Back-to-Back Dream Falls Short

Played: 6
Won: 5
Lost: 1
Drawn: 0
Final Position: Third

With three-quarters of their Premiership-winning squad returning for season 2022, hopes were high that the Roosters could retain the trophy and complete back-to-back title-winning campaigns. 

Despite a number of star players moving on - which also saw Captain Corban Baxter out for the season with pregnancy - the Roosters recruited strongly to construct another fearsome line up.

NRLW Round 1 Highlights: Roosters vs Eels

Ironically, that included incoming fullback Sam Bremner, who returned to the top grade following two years of maternity leave, while pair Shaniah Power and Destiny Brill were recruited from the Gold Coast to add spark to the forward pack.

Premiership-winning centre and Central Coast junior Jayme Fressard linked up as well, while Tarsha Gale Cup winning duo Otesa Pule and Pani Hopoate made their long-awaited NRLW debuts, featuring in all six matches.

Round 2 NRLW Highlights: Roosters vs Broncos

Strike centre Isabelle Kelly took over the captaincy duties for the first time, and her tenure with the 'c' next to her name couldn't have started in better fashion as she scored a double in a dominant 38-16 win over Parramatta in the opening round.

The Tricolours rolled through the Brisbane Broncos a week later 28-8, before they officially christened the brand-new Allianz Stadium in the venue's first sporting event, dominating Grand Final opponents St George Illawarra with a 34-6 thumping.

Round 3 NRLW Highlights: Roosters vs Dragons

Halfback Raecene McGregor was the maestro, laying on four tries, including the Club's first-ever four-pointer on their new home ground with a deft kick to winger Leianne Tufuga to start their comeback. 

Kelly then got her side home after a tense arm wrestle in Round 4 against the second-placed Newcastle Knights in a top-of-the-table clash, dashing away 80 metres after her side trailed late.

Round 4 NRLW Highlights: Roosters vs Knights

The Roosters then sealed the Club's first Minor Premiership with a strong 38-12 win over the Gold Coast Titans in the final round of the regular season, which marked the debut of talented fullback Jada Taylor. 

But just as they had done to the Brisbane Broncos the season prior, the high-flying Roosters were ambushed at Suncorp Stadium by the Parramatta Eels in their semi-final match.

NRLW Round 5 Highlights: Roosters vs Titans

Whatever could have possibly gone wrong did go wrong for the Tricolours, who completed at just 56% with thirteen errors halted any momentum they could muster, with the Eels overpowering their bravest efforts, 24-10.  

On an individual note, it was a remarkable season from McGregor, who was crowned the Club's first NRLW Dally M Medallist, while also claiming the Halfback of the Year gong, the Roosters' NRLW Player of the Year Award and was voted the RLPA's Players' Champion. 

Debutants: Sam Bremner, Destiny Brill, Jayme Fressard, Kalosipani Hopoate, Shaniah Power, Otesa Pule, Jasmin Strange, Chante Temara, Shannon Rose, Jada Taylor, Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa.

2023 - Built on Belief

Played: 26
Won: 14
Lost: 12
Drawn: 0
Final Position: Sixth

A season characterised by insurmountable courage, the emergence of many young stars and an incredibly-timed finals run saw the Roosters skyrocket from 14th to finish the season in sixth following a cluster of hard-fought victories. 

With the acquisition of hookers Brandon Smith and Jake Turpin, as well as wingers Jaxson Paulo and Corey Allan, Trent Robinson and the leadership group established an attitude built on belief throughout the squad - which proved the difference towards the back end of the season.  

The Roosters quickly bounced back from their opening round loss to the Dolphins to notch three-straight wins against the Warriors, Rabbitohs and Eels, cementing an early spot in the top eight in the process. 

But poor outings in Melbourne and Cronulla would force the Tricolours to dig deep in front of the 40,000 Members and fans on Anzac Day to secure a thrilling one-point win, courtesy of a Luke Keary field goal. 

With four days between matches, Trent Robinson's men headed to New Zealand to face the Warriors for the second time six weeks, coming away with one of the most hard-fought wins of the season with the Bondi Wall truly laying the foundation for a remarkable 14-0 victory in torrential rain. 

Round 9 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Warriors

The two incredibly memorable wins were contrasted by three heart-breaking losses which saw the Tricolours slump to 11th on the ladder after the opening 12 rounds. 

But with the support of the Central Coast and the inclusion of debutants Fetalaiga Pauga and Sandon Smith, Luke Keary kicked the Roosters to another one-point win over the Bulldogs in Round 14. 

The morale boost was typified by James Tedesco's inspiring leadership and Jake Turpin's defence, with the Skipper bagging a double and setting up Pauga while the hooker made a monumental 50 tackles. 

Round 14 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Bulldogs

A patch of rocky form saw the Roosters plummet 14th on the ladder after Round 20, forcing the squad to look internally for motivation and build on their self-belief as the path to the finals got tougher. 

Classic dance moves and WWE try celebrations brought joy to the East in Round 21, with a true display of Roosters' footy resulting in an 18-point win over the Gold Coast Titans and despite a loss to the Broncos a week later, it was evident the skies had cleared on the shores of Bondi. 

The Tricolours bid farewell to the SCG once more with an unforgettable win over Manly, which saw Daniel Tupou turn back the clock with a play that replicated his 2013 Grand Final try as his champion teammates celebrated the Premiership anniversary from the stands. 

The Reunion | 2013 Premiership Winners

The team continued to lean on the Club's proud history in the weeks that followed, with Billy Smith claiming the second 'Artie Legacy Medal' and Drew Hutchison stepping in at halfback to guide the Roosters to a brilliant 30-14 victory over the Dolphins at Allianz Stadium.

From one legendary coach to another, a win in Round 25 would see the Tricolours obtain the Jack Gibson Cup at CommBank Stadium with Lindsay Collins earning the Chad Robinson Medal for his awe-inspiring efforts.

Facing a true test of depth against the Tigers, young guns Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Siua Wong embraced the opportunity to fulfil different positions to guide the team to their fourth-straight win, while Sam Walker marked his returned to the NRL with the Try of the Year. 

With veterans Joseph Manu, Daniel Tupou and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves unavailable for the final round of the regular season, Trent Robinson looked to Pauga, Allan and Terrell May to front arch-rivals South Sydney in another must-win match. 

The pressure had no effect on the trio, all stepping up to end the Rabbitohs' season 26-12, with both Pauga and Allan finding tries while May delivered a herculean performance which not only helped the Roosters secure the Ron Coote Cup, but also a spot in the top eight. 

Round 27 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Rabbitohs

It would be hard to match the intensity of the Round 27 clash, but Trent Robinson's men took their game to another level in week one of the finals to down the Sharks 13-12 in Cronulla. 

In what was dubbed one of the 'gutsiest' victories in Club history, the mighty Tricolours fought hard to remain in the contest with Suaalii and Manu ruled out in the first hour before Tedesco was sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul. 

Wong and Angus Crichton would slot into the centres, with Billy Smith continuing to play on in true Roosters' spirit despite sustaining a fractured jaw in his first carry of the second half. 

Absorbing a mountain of defensive pressure, Wong crossed with 13 minutes remaining before Billy Smith slotted his first ever conversion to level the scores. 

With momentum behind them, Walker nailed the match-winning field goal to give the Roosters the lead, but it was the charge-downs from Tedesco and Keary that sealed the win and sent the team into the second week of finals. 

The Bondi Blockers

Facing the Storm in Melbourne for the second time in 2023, it seemed that all odds were against the men from Bondi as Billy Smith, Suaalii, Manu and Tupou were sidelined with injury. 

But the 'next man up' mentality of the squad saw Paul Momirovski and Jaxson Paulo embrace their starting spots and keep the Roosters in the contest until the final minutes. 

With the scoreline once again locked at 13-12 following another Walker field goal, the team's 2023 campaign and hope at a Grand Final berth was painfully extinguished when a final minute try to the Storm saw them claim a 18-13 victory.

Lindsay Collins | Jack Gibson Medal Acceptance Speech

Lindsay Collins' courage, determination and leadership was recognised with the prestigious Jack Gibson Medal and the powerhouse prop delivered a tear-jerking speech to conclude his best season to date. 

Debutants: Jaxson Paulo, Brandon Smith, Jake Turpin, Corey Allan, Nathan Brown, Fetalaiga 'Junior' Pauga, Sandon Smith, Siua Wong. 

2023 NRLW - New Teams, New Challenges

Played: 10
Won: 7
Lost: 3
Drawn: 0
Final Position: Third

With the heart-ache of 2022 still lingering, the Sydney Roosters entered the new season embracing the 'favourites' tag with the additions of representative trio Tarryn Aiken, Millie Boyle and Keeley Davis set to give the team an added boost. 

The returns of Corban Baxter (pregnancy) and Brydie Parker (ACL) also helped provide a spark in the back-line, with both foundation Roosters ensuring the squad connected on and off the field.

Striving for success with a new-look line-up, the Tricolours kicked-off their season with an impressive win against the Broncos, dominating all statistics in the NRLW's first ever clash on the Sunshine Coast. 

Round 1 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Broncos

A tough loss to the Canberra Raiders in Round 2 gave John Strange's team a reality check and forced them to go back to the drawing board ahead of their first home game in Round 3. 

In one of their greatest wins of the season, Captain Isabelle Kelly stood up at the SCG to help her team bounce back from the defeat, bagging two tries and 208 run metres in a comprehensive performance which saw the Roosters shut out the Dragons 30-0.

Round 3 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Dragons

Continuing to build, the Roosters travelled to Cronulla and the Gold Coast in rounds four and five, putting on a defensive masterclasses while piling on the points in attack. 

Back home at Allianz Stadium for the first time in 2023, the Roosters put on a show for Members and fans, notching a record-breaking 48-10 victory over the Tigers which saw winger Mia Wood claim at hat-trick on her NRLW debut. 

The Tricolours leant on their strong Central Coast roots in Round 8 to secure another two competition points with Aiken and Davis rising to the occasion to execute a number of point-scoring plays. 

Jocelyn Kelleher was just as superb, nailing seven from eight conversions to accumulate a personal tally of 14 points. 

Round 7 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Eels

The Roosters fell short against the Knights in the battle for the Minor Premiership one week later and were had to re-group with both Jess Sergis and Boyle sidelined with injury. 

When the going got tough, Strange called upon Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Millicent Scutt to make her NRLW debut in Round 9 in what would be her first ever game of rugby league.

Scutt wasn't the only player who rose to the challenge, with Kelly and Aiken also lifting in the absence of many key teammates to set up a combined total of four tries, claiming a 40-16 victory and a home Semi Final in the process. 

Round 9 Match Highlights: Roosters vs Cowboys

Much like the year prior, the Roosters season came to a premature end in the first week of finals. With injuries to Corban Baxter and Amelia Pasikala forcing a reshuffle amongst the team, the Tricolours we unable to win the ruck and couldn't find points, falling 12-0 to the Titans.

Despite the season result, Aiken came within one point of the competition's top gong - the Nelly Doherty Medal, topping off her stellar first year at the Club with the KARI NRLW Player of the Year and joining Kelly and Olivia Kernick in the Dally M NRLW Team of the Year.  

Debutants: Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott (née Boyle), Keeley Davis, Teuila Fotu-Moala, Amber Hall, Lexi Kiriwi, Amelia Pasikala, Mia Wood, Lily Rogan, Tyler Bentley, Millicent Scutt.

Acknowledgement of Country

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.