2022 Roosters Pathways Wrap Up

Junior Representative & Elite Pathways Manager, Blake Cavallaro, believes both sides are in a good position to continue their trajectory heading into 2023. 

"The Sydney Roosters side was really unfortunate not to make the Grand Final," said Cavallaro.

"They were pipped with five minutes to go, but in saying that, it's been a really good stepping stone for where our programs are heading.  We have 10 kids returning that can play again in 2023 which is a real plus. 

"In regards to the Central Coast, it was a real learning curve for the players who had won the Andrew Johns Cup the year before going from one program to the next. 

"But the experience will put them in good stead for the side that we'll field next season." 

Tarsha Gale Cup (Women's Under 19s)

After the heartbreak of 2021, the Club's Tarsha Gale Cup side claimed its inaugural Premiership title in an intense 14-12 victory over Newcastle back in July. 

The Tricolours claimed the Minor Premiership in a canter, which saw them go through undefeated, while a number of players graduated to the NRLW in the form of Otesa Pule, Kalosipani Hopoate and Jada Taylor. 

Cavallaro, who coached the side, predicts a very bright future in the Club's female space in the near future. 

"It was a huge step for the growth of our female pathways over the last five years," he said.

"It's very exciting to see some of those girls who have been part of the program since they were 15 years old finally come away with a win.

"Over the last few years, we've had four girls who have debuted in the NRLW, and a lot of girls who have been part of the NRLW development program.

"You can see the progression of those Tarsha Gale girls from 18 and 19-year-olds to jumping into the NRLW program and competing at that level.

"We had the highest amount of players in the Under 19s State of Origin for the Club as well this year, which was great. It was an outstanding win and our female program is evolving quickly, and I'm looking forward to another outstanding season in 2023."

SG Ball Cup (Men's Under 19s)

It was a cruel end to the SG Ball Cup side's brilliant season in the Grand Final by a conversion at the death against the Penrith Panthers after claiming the Minor Premiership. 

"We've always been very competitive at SG Ball level and this year we went one step better than last year," Cavallaro explained.

"We claimed the Minor Premiership again and just missed out in those final moments in the Grand Final to take home the win.

"It was a learning curve for those players who have been part of our program for a very long time, but in saying that, to be undefeated all year and to get to that point, it's been enormous.

"We fielded a combined side that featured local players as well as Central Coast-based players to make that SG Ball program from both Harold Matthews sides.

"For the last two years, we've come first as Minor Premiers and that connection will only make the SG Ball even stronger in future seasons."

Jersey Flegg Cup (Men's Under 21s)

After claiming the Minor Premiership following a strong start to the season, it was an unfortunate end for the Sydney Roosters in the Jersey Flegg Cup as the availability of personnel severely affected the side in the final month of the competition. 

A controversial exit against eventual Premiers Penrith in the Preliminary Final may have been a sour note to end on, however, the overall season brought to light a number of future stars ready to take the next step in the coming years. 

A lot of these guys progressed from our SG Ball side over the last two years, which didn't go ahead because of the shutdown of competitions, so we're starting to see a lot of success with these programs restarting.

Blake Cavallaro Junior Representative & Elite Pathways Manager

"It was a very similar story to the SG Ball," Cavallaro said. 

"They were outright Minor Premiers by four points but there were some moments which hurt them throughout matches.  

"A lot of these guys progressed from our SG Ball side over the last two years, which didn't go ahead because of the shutdown of competitions, so we're starting to see a lot of success with these programs restarting.

"It was one of the best years in recent times for our pathways, even though we would have liked to have gone one step better in some of those competitions.

"As a Club, we're learning, growing, and we're moving forward."

Harvey Norman Women's Premiership (Women's Open Age)

Scheduling clashes as well as the hectic representative season affected the Central Coast Roosters' ability to field a consistent roster, but that didn't stop the side from fighting tooth and nail for a spot in the top five.

Forced to play two matches in the same week, the Red, White and Blue missed out on a spot in the final five by just a single point in their last regular season match.

That wasn't to worry though, as the players involved gained invaluable experience which translated to the 2022 NRLW season. 

"It was a bit of a different year with two NRLW competitions either side of the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership," Cavallaro said. 

"To help with the overall workload of the NRLW squad, we looked to debut a number of young players and give them an opportunity to step up into the open-age competition.

"We are very lucky that a lot of those players from the Tarsha Gale Premiership-winning side will elevate to the Central Coast Roosters in 2023 and we will be more competitive than ever before the NRLW competition kicks off."

New South Wales Cup (Men's Open Age)

Another fruitful season between the Sydney Roosters and North Sydney Bears saw the NSW Cup side reach the semi-finals after some chopping and changing to the line up throughout the season.

Being the feeder side to the Roosters' NRL squad, the Bears featured a number of players but were able to come together to produce some impressive victories over more fancied opponents. 

The last month saw the red and black string together four consecutive wins at home, including two 60-point hauls at North Sydney Oval, which saw them reach the second week of the finals series. 

"The big thing from our NSW Cup side this year was that we were able to use that platform to give some of our young male players the chance to face off against men in reserve grade," Cavallaro said.

"We had guys who were turning 18 throughout the year holding their own in the second-tier competition, which will no doubt help in the correspondence for our pathways and player progression to the NRL."