How do the NRL’s ‘glamour club’ intend to bounce back after a disappointing 2023 for the Roosters?
Season Preview
The Sydney Roosters are the club who suddenly remembered how good they’re supposed to be six weeks before the finals. That was the story of their 2023 season – as it was the story of their 2022 season. In fact, it was even the story of their premiership-winning 2018 season, where they sat sixth in Round 16 before rallying to finish the regular season in first place.
That pattern brings hope. We get the impression that they’ve finally figured it out, finally clicked. That if they bring that form into the start of the new season, they’ll be a very tough team to beat.
So it’s a very confusing experience to be sitting there halfway through the new season and seeing the Roosters struggling yet again.
The signs in 2024 point towards improvement at Bondi for a few reasons. The first being that the squad itself underperformed significantly last season, so should naturally move up the table if those players play at a satisfactory level.
The second being the new additions to the club. The incoming players are well-documented, but arguably their most important signing has gone very much under the radar: Justin Holbrook returns to the club as Trent Robinson’s assistant coach. A man who most regard as unlucky to lose his head coaching role at the Titans, Holbrook brings experience and coaching nous to a position Robinson has filled with aspiring coaches in recent years.
Then lastly there’s Robinson himself. When a squad consistently underperforms, the blame tends to be pointed at the coach. If Robinson goes a fifth season without a preliminary final under the high expectations of Roosters powerbrokers, he may just start to feel the heat.
Best Signing
Embed from Getty ImagesThe title of best signing at the Roosters this year is a two-way battle between two extremely different players (Dominic Young and Spencer Leniu). But it isn’t simply about which player is better – it’s about who solves the problems at Easts the most.
That’s why I’ve gone with Dominic Young. Even at their best, the Roosters have struggled for speed and tryscoring ability. Their top tryscorer last season was James Tedesco with 11, which pales in comparison to Young’s competition-topping 25. With the Englishman and Daniel Tupou forming the tallest wing combination in NRL history, Luke Keary only has to practice his cross-field kicks and let the rest take care of itself.
Key Player
Embed from Getty ImagesIt’s very easy to tell you that James Tedesco holds the key to the Roosters’ success this season. That’s what every other season preview of the club will say. Granted – Teddy does play a tremendous role. But attacking play starts with the dummy half, and for a team with the third worst attack in the competition last year, Brandon Smith needs to be identifying chances and directing the attack more than he has so far.
I do believe he has shown us enough to suggest he can be a quality number nine. I also think the moment the Roosters clicked last season was the moment they figured out how to play with his unique style. Whether the Cheese is going well or poorly will be a great barometer for the rest of the squad in season 2024.
Player to Watch
Embed from Getty ImagesAgain – it’d be easy to echo the general consensus and tell you that Siua Wong will be the breakout star at the Chooks in 2024. Don’t get me wrong – he looks like a fantastic prospect, but have we all forgotten about the little halfback who has played beyond his years ever since he got to the NRL?
Sam Walker will turn 22 midway through this year. In a modern game where the veteran halfback has become the way to go, Walker has an opportunity to shift the thinking if he can succeed with the Roosters this year. Many expect Daly Cherry-Evans to retire from rep footy after this season, and if Walker can put in a strong season at halfback while Tom Dearden is playing five-eighth, it could rocket him up the order of heirs to the Queensland seven jersey.
Number Crunching
Premiers: 15 (1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1945, 1974, 1975, 2002, 2013, 2018, 2019)
Minor Premierships: 20 (1912, 1913, 1923, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018)
10 years win/loss record: 159 wins, 98 losses (61.9%)
5 years win/loss record: \80 wins, 46 losses (63.5%)
2023 win/loss record: 13 wins, 11 losses (54.2%)
NRL Finals Appearances since 2014: 9
NRL Finals win/loss record since 2014: 11 wins, 10 losses (52.4%)
Biggest win since 2014: 66, vs Wests Tigers (72-6, 20/8/22, Sydney Cricket Ground)
Biggest loss since 2014: 52, vs South Sydney Rabbitohs (8-60, 25/9/20, Accor Stadium)
