Tip Sheet: 5 talking points for the Roosters in 2024

The Roosters overcame a slow start to the 2023 season to fall just two wins short of the big dance.

Many clubs would call it a successful season but the Roosters - winners of three premierships in the past decade - will look at 2023 season as an opportunity missed after winning just five of their first 11 games. 

But with a squad boasting a host of representative stars and the arrival of Dom Young and Spencer Leniu, the Roosters head into 2024 with a star-studded roster capable of challenging for the title.

How do they fit star outside back stocks into four spots?

After landing English superstar Dom Young, the Roosters head into 2024 stacked in the outside backs. Already boasting the club's’ all-time leading try-scorer Daniel Tupou and young gun Junior Pauga, things will be heating up in Bondi as the new recruits challenge for an edge position. Trent Robinson also has some big decisions to make in the centres with Young tipped for a possible positional switch, meaning Billy Smith, Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could all be competing for a spot in pre-season.

Can Spencer Leniu keep his cool among the hot-head Roosters?

Spencer Leniu's physicality and aggression off the bench has been a point of difference for the Panthers but there's already enough hot-heads at the impact forward's new home. We saw Leniu and new teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves lock horns in a fiery clash last season, as tempers boiled over late in the match. Both players have ensured there's no bad blood but the confrontation proved there's not enough room on the field for both forwards to lose their cool.

Is Sam locked in as ‘the man’ at 7?

There's no denying the Roosters' resurgence had a lot to do with the return of prodigious halfback Sam Walker. The 21-year-old was dropped after Round 7 but returned in Round 26 to help the Roosters book a spot in the play-offs. ln just his third NRL game since being recalled, the former Dally M Rookie of the Year proved he is a No. 7 of the future, icing an incredible 20-metre field goal to lift the Roosters to a dramatic 13-12 win over the Sharks in Week 1 of the finals. With Walker's replacement Drew Hutchison switching to the Bulldogs for 2024, the young halfback looks set to be handed the reigns for the Roosters Round 1 clash against the Broncos in Las Vegas. But after signing a contract extension in the off-season, emerging playmaker Sandon Smith also looks to have a promising future in the Roosters halves as the club begins to prepare for life after five-eighth Luke Keary.

Has Radley and JWH learnt their lesson from the judiciary?

With Victor Radley and Jared Waerea Hargreaves copping a combined $18,000 worth of fines and 10 weeks worth of suspensions last season, Trent Robinson will need his forwards to keep their emotions in check and stay on the field in 2024. With Waerea Hargraves still in doubt for the club's Round 1 clash in Las Vegas after copping a seven-match ban for two separate offences in a Round 26 clash against Wests Tigers, the Kiwi forward has had all off-season to think about hoe he can keep a lid on to next season. Robinson is known to defend his more aggressive players but losing his veteran prop when the Roosters' season was on the line looked to be a tipping point. “I am (angry). I think it‘s only natural to be that way,” Robinson said ahead of the Roosters do-or-die Round 27 clash with the Rabbitohs. “It‘s a disappointing way for him to finish the season. The impact on our club hasn’t been great.”

How can they avoid another slow start?

After slipping to 14th after Round 22, the Roosters managed to save their season with five-straight wins sneaking them into the top eight but the Bondi boys will be desperate to make life easier for themselves in 2024. The Sydney club was tipped by many to take out the competition in 2023 but punters threw the towel in early in the season after the side won just five of their first 11 games. In order to avoid another repeat of last season, Robinson's men will need to ensure they don't let the must-win games slip after tough losses to the Dolphins in Round 1 and the Dragons in Round 12 last season. The Roosters also need to get their season off on the right foot and prove they are one of the big guns after going down to Melbourne, Penrith, North Queensland and Cronulla early in 2023.