Sydney Roosters 2025 NRL season scouting report: Best 17, every player’s contract status, rookie watch
The perennial premiership heavyweights have lost more star power than any other team in the NRL in recent history. TYSON JACKSON breaks down the club’s injury crisis, free agency wrap, and more.
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The perennial premiership heavyweights have lost more star power to rival clubs, codes and through multiple injuries than any other team in the NRL in recent history.
TYSON JACKSON answers the burning questions facing the Roosters in 2025, the club’s free agency dealings, and the youngsters ready to fill a massive void in the roster.
Free agency wrap & rating
The Roosters have lost more star power than any other team in the NRL in recent history. Losing star centres in Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, on top of veteran five-eighth Luke Keary, and two enforcers in Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Terrell May is a wealth of talent and experience out the door. The Tri-colours have only made one off-season signing in Chad Townsend who will need to play more of a role than he was signed for. It was a very lopsided flow for the Roosters which could pay costly. Losing six outright first graders in one season is never easy, but the Roosters are losing 953 games worth of experience. The Roosters are relying on young guns to get them through their 2025 campaign. Young gun Robert Toia and injury prone Billy Smith are set to slot into the strike centre roles with question marks hovering over them if they are ready to fill such big holes left by Manu and Suaalii.
RATING: D
Coach status & safety rating
Trent Robinson has never been in the firing line, and now entering a rebuilding year, there still isn’t a heap of pressure on the three-time premiership winning coach. Winning three trophies buys you some time, but Robinson has proven time and again, no matter who takes the field the Roosters are always there or abouts. While many will highlight no grand final in the last few years, with a stacked squad, Robinson has had to deal with a number of injuries and issues which have plagued his team at the back end of the year. Now rebuilding his roster, it would be safe to say Robinson has at the very least two more years in charge of the tricolours. But, if he can continue to get his team firing like they have for the last 12 seasons, his job is safe.
RATING: A
Likely debutant(s)
Robert Toia should slide straight into a Roosters first grade jersey this year with the club looking for new centres after the departure of Manu and Suaalii. One of their most touted juniors, barring injury Toia would already have a handful of NRL appearances. The 20-year-old has already bagged 12 games in the NSW Cup, where he averages a whopping 151 running metres and tackles at a 89.5% efficiency. Hooker Tyler Moriarty also has a chance of getting a chance in the spotlight with hooker Brandon Smith out for the year, and Watson a specialist utility. Moriarty has gotten a chance to play against men in reserve grade this year, playing 16 games in the NSW Cup. While playing in the middle can seem daunting to many, Moriarty loves to get amongst the defensive game, tackling at over 96% at only 21-years-old.
Who takes the next step
The ball has been given to Sandon Smith and now it’s his time to run with it. With Walker out for the majority of next year, Smith will get an opportunity to have full control of this Roosters side and will need to run with it. Robinson made it clear that Smith was one of his long term halves options, and while the injury to Walker is horrible, it is one which could see Smith break out of his shell. Smith will also get an opportunity to work with former premiership winner Chad Townsend who he can pick the brain of, before eventually stepping aside for a Walker-Smith combination.
The three burning issues
SIZE MATTERS
The departure of Waerea-Hargreaves and loss May sees the men from Bondi run out with one of their smaller forward packs in recent memory. Now, it’s obvious the club is looking to have a more mobile pack, but how will they withstand the brunt of some of the bigger packs in the competition?. Although a bit older in age, Waerea-Hargreaves has a certain aura about him which instantly made the Roosters one of scariest packs in the competition. Someone in their pack needs to step into the role to guarantee success. Is it livewire Spencer Leniu, or maybe even the giant De La Salle Va’a?
SMITH SHOW
With halfback Sam Walker out for a large portion of the year, Sandon Smith will need to step up and lead a Roosters team which is now short of experience. Smith can’t afford to sit back and let Chad Townsend take the reins on the team as it could cost him a position upon a Walker return. Most NRL fans haven’t seen much of Smith, especially alone, which will pose the question, is he able to carry a first grade side throughout the year. With 29 NRL games to his name, Smith is about to enter the biggest challenge of his career.
TEDDY CHALLENGE
James Tedesco had an outstanding 2024, but even after all his hard work, he was unable to retain his Blues jersey, lost his Kangaroos captaincy and position and just fell short of a Dally M medal. While success is clear for Tedesco, those shortcomings do pile up on the mental capacity. Add the mountain of pressure which will be placed on the Rooster to finish in the top four, all eyes will be on Tedesco.
Crystal ball
The Roosters will slide a bit in 2025. The club still has the star power to finish in the eight but it will be a tough task to ask their new look team to finish in the top four. Expect a 6-10th finish for the tricolours.
2025 odds
Winners: $15
Minor premiership: $15
Top 4: $3.50
Top 8: $1.75
Most losses: $26
Originally published as Sydney Roosters 2025 NRL season scouting report: Best 17, every player’s contract status, rookie watch
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