Official application lodged to make teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii exempt from the NRL’s age rule

The Roosters have a very powerful ally in their bid for teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii to receive an exemption to the NRL age rule.

Sydney Roosters new signing Joseph Suaalii. Picture: Roosters Digital

Teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii has edged closer to being granted an exemption to make his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters before turning 18 in September.

The Bondi club has now made an official application to the ARLC to have Suaalii exempt under the game’s age rule, which prohibits players from making their NRL debut before they turn 18-years old.

“They have lodged an application,” ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys said.

“We have however, required additional information to consider that application.

“The Roosters are in the process of providing that information.

Sydney Roosters new signing Joseph Suaalii. Picture: Roosters Digital

“The information is in relation to the welfare of the player … what’s going to happen with his education moving forward, that he is physically and mentally capable.

“They are going to have to answer all those questions before the Commission would give consideration.”

Regardless of the outcome in Suaalii’s application before the Commission, V’landys reiterated the age rule will remain unchanged.

“It was never going to be a blanket change to the rule. There is a rule that gives the Commission discretion on all rules,” V’landys said.

“We didn’t want rules that are too prescriptive and at times not in the best interest of the games.

“So the age rule is still there. But we can consider specific cases.”

No deadline has been placed on the Roosters to finalise the application but a resolution is expected “soon”.

V’landys also credited the professionalism in which the Roosters have handled the situation.

Sam Walker is another early SuperCoach favourite. Source: Roosters Digital

“The Roosters have taken this process very seriously because they want to make sure they are doing the right thing,” he said.

“I complement the Roosters and the way they have handled it because they have handled this with great care.”

The ARLC Chairman is not expecting a flood of similar applications from other clubs if the Commission does grant the Roosters dispensation to blood Suaalii, who defected from South Sydney on a two-year deal to Bondi, before his birthday on the 1st of September.

“I don’t think so. This young gentlemen is a real exception. But any club is able to make an application on this or any matter,” he said.

The news is a boost for the one in three KFC SuperCoach NRL teams that have already locked Suaalii (CTW, FLB $ $173,700) into their team for season.

The dual position cheapie is the 11th most purchased player despite the fact he faces stiff competition to usurp the likes of Brett and Josh Morris, Joseph Manu Daniel Tupou and James Tedesco for a place in Trent Robinson’s back five in season 2021.

Penrith’s Charlie Staines is currently the most purchased player in SuperCoach. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Suaalii leads a slew of Gen Next players dominating the top 20 most purchased players.

Fellow Roosters teammate Sam Walker (HFB $173,700), who is vying for a spot in the halves alongside Luke Keary, is the 7th on the list.

Penrith rookie Charlie Staines (CTW, FLB $297, 700) is currently the most purchased player after Ivan Cleary all but assured the prolific tryscorer would start on the right edge in 2021 following the departure of veteran winger Josh Mansour.

The youngest Trbojevic brother, Ben (CTW, 2RF $173,700), is the 12th on the list after coach Des Hasler elevated the 19-year old into his top 30 squad.

Originally published as Official application lodged to make teen prodigy Joseph Suaalii exempt from the NRL’s age rule