Buzz: Inside Roosters’ sheds on Trent Robinson’s ‘hardest night’

Trent Robinson has experienced many highs and lows, but this was the toughest moment. Here’s what happened in the Roosters’ dressingroom, via PHIL ROTHFIELD.

Trent Robinson says he's never seen a more shattered dressing room.

Those inside the Sydney Roosters dressing sheds late on Saturday night in Newcastle say the team song was belted out louder and prouder than ever before.

This was for fallen teammate Brett Morris, not victory over the Knights.

Billionaire chairman Nick Politis tapped on the door, walked in and then cried.

Watch The 2021 NRL Telstra Premiership Live & On-Demand with No Ad-Breaks During Play. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Trent Robinson described it as the most sombre dressing room he’s ever experienced.

Rookie Joseph Suaalii sat there nervously next to the Morris brothers as Josh hugged Brett and tears flowed in front of the Fox Sports cameras.

A 17-year-old kid alongside two men exactly double his age.

Trent Robinson says he's never seen a more shattered dressing room.

If this whiz kid didn’t already understand what rugby league and this club meant to the Morris boys, it was all there right in front of him.

This moment will be more valuable than anything else he will learn on the park at training on his own NRL journey.

There have rarely been scenes of emotion quite like this in the Roosters’ long and proud history.

Brett Morris regathered himself and addressed the team.

“I was lucky that I captained this great club in my last game,” he said. “It was such an honour. Some of my proudest moments were in this jersey.”

Brett Morris comes off with an ACL injury (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

Coach Trent Robinson has experienced many highs and lows in his nine years at Bondi Junction.

The premierships, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend’s concussions, Luke Keary’s bad knee, the messy departure of Latrell Mitchell.

This was his hardest night.

“It was really tough,” Robinson said. “I’ve never experienced a more sombre dressing room.

“Brett was in one room and Lindsay (Collins) was in another. Both knew their fate.

“There was complete silence because nothing needed to be said, not initially anyway.

“We just supported the two boys. The board, the staff and the players.

“It wasn’t the time to talk about the game.”

Josh Morris then helped Brett into his car for the long trip home down the M1. The boots in the back for the last time.

Just the two of them… and 16 years of wonderful memories to ease the pain ever so slightly.

Robinson spoke to Brett on Sunday midmorning. An MRI scan confirmed he was finished.

Brett Morris injures his ACL. Picture: Ryan Mckinnon - NRL Photos

“Brett will handle it like he’s handled most things,” Robinson said. “He’s such a pragmatic guy. Very level headed with a calmness to cope with this sort of stuff.”

Robinson has coached few better players in his time at the Roosters.

“Brett was part of the transformation of the way wingers play,” Robinson said. “He had the class and finishing touches of wingers from the 90s and 2000s but then became the workhorse.

“The backfield front-rower that they’ve become while never losing those finishing skills. That’s why he’s quite unique.”

Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner was in Taree over the weekend at a memorial for his cousin who passed away last year and couldn’t make it to the game.

“It was heartbreaking to watch it on TV,” Cordner said. “It really was.”

Cordner played his first Test for the Kangaroos alongside Morris in 2013. They won a premiership together and played for the NSW Blues.

“To be in the best form of his career at 34 is mind blowing,” Cordner said, “It shows his true mental strength and his resilience week in, week out, year after year.

“I respect the hell out of what he’s been able to achieve

“No-one has ever really spoken about his leadership but I’ve learnt so much from him in the way he acts in such a professional manner 24/7.

“We saw it every day at the Roosters. I’m so proud to have had him as a teammate.”

Originally published as Buzz: Inside Roosters’ sheds on Trent Robinson’s ‘hardest night’