NRL 2023: Sydney Roosters season preview
The Roosters, who are near-enduring contenders under Trent Robinson, fared well below their high standards in 2022, finishing sixth before being bowled by Souths in the first week of the Finals.
A terrible run with injuries played a part in their relative struggles last year and they hope to turn things around in 2023.
Several new faces have been added to a roster full of Origin and international representatives to ensure competition for spots remains high.
Can the Roosters end a three-season run without reaching an interim final?
The sports news previews the Roosters’ season below – including their best 17, the key to their success and the predicted end for 2023.
ROOSTER TOP 30 SQUAD | COCKS OFF-CONTRACT LIST | ROUND 1 PREDICTED TEAM
BEST 17th
| POSITION | PLAYER |
|---|---|
| 1 | James Tedesco |
| 2 | Daniel Tupu |
| 3 | Joseph Manuel |
| 4 | Joseph Sua’al’i |
| 5 | Jason Paulo |
| 6 | Luke Keary |
| 7 | Sam Walker |
| 8th | Jared Waerea-Hargreaves |
| 9 | BrandonSmith |
| 10 | LindsayCollins |
| 11 | Egg butcher |
| 12 | Nat Butcher |
| 13 | Victor Radley |
| 14 | Drew Hutchison |
| 15 | Siua Wong |
| 16 | Matt Loge |
| 17 | Terell May |
NOTE: Star back rower Angus Crichton was absent during the trials and there are question marks over his future while fellow sitili Tupouniua is still recovering from an ACL injury.
SQUAD CHANGES
WIN:
Corey Allan, Jaxson Paulo, Brandon Smith, Robert Toia, Jake Turpin
LOSSES:
Renouf Atoni, Adam Keighran, Lachlan Lam, Freddy Lussick, Kevin Naiqama, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Sam Verrills, Ronald Volkman
DEPTH SCORING:
While they haven’t troubled the top teams in recent seasons, the Roosters are still brimming with talent.
They have arguably the best full-back in the competition in James Tedesco, while there are two guys in the middle in Joseph Manu and Joseph Sua’ali’i who could play full-backs at a handful of other NRL clubs.
Halves are a strength, with the caveat of Luke Keary’s durability. The star’s concussion troubles five-eighths remain an ongoing concern and the unfortunate fact is he’s just one shot away from a significant stint on the sidelines.
Sam Walker, still only 20, will benefit from another preseason in the weight room.
The addition of Brandon Smith will be interesting. The jury is still out on his ability to master a game against the Hooker, although his ability to punch through the middle of tiring defense will be useful to any side and should make for a handful alongside Victor Radley.
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 34, goes around again, this time without longtime front row partner Siosiua Taukeiaho. Lindsay Collins will have to take a leading role in the pack.
Due to injuries and form, the Roosters switched names on the wing last year and while Daniel Tupou remains a force, neither Paul Momirovski nor new signings Jaxson Paulo and Corey Allan have proven consistent first-class performers.
STRENGTHS: Full-backs, centres
WEAKNESSES: Front row, wings
RATING: 8/10
The Roosters have quality throughout the park and solid depth options in most positions.
If you look closely you can find cracks in the armor, but when they’re all singing from the same hymn sheet, the Tricolors are capable of beating anyone in their day.
THE KEY
If the roosters are to be successful, Luke KearyFitness and form are key.
The five-eight has played 179 NRL games and won three premierships.
His experience and class alongside Walker will be key, especially with newcomers Brandon Smith and possibly Jake Turpin set to play in the dummy half.
Drew Hutchison is a capable substitute should the Roosters injure themselves in the half, but he’s not Keary, while Manu could competently step in if needed, but that leaves them short in the backline.
At 31, Keary’s current contract, which expires at the end of next season, could well be his last pending his health. He would very much like to add a fourth Premiership ring to the collection.
BEGINNERS WATCH
If you need a glimpse of how highly the Roosters rate young playmakers SandonSmithyou just have to look at the players they have fired in the last 12 months.
Lachlan Lam had been with the club since he was young and although only used as a backup, his utility and top-flight experience were valuable. Additionally, Ronald Volkman – who was once considered a longtime partner of Sam Walker – was allowed to leave the club and join the Warriors in mid-2022.
These two players shouldn’t have left a successful Roosters system without good reason, and that’s why Smith is such a hot prospect this season.
The Central Coast product, just 20 years old, played most of last season in the NSW Cup, producing 23 try assists and 26 line break assists in 23 games.
Smith is set to join the club’s top-30 list for the upcoming season and while he could dethrone Walker or Luke Keary at full power in halves, he’s certainly a player to watch.
DANGER TIME
Rounds 3-8: Rabbitohs [H]Bye, eels [H]Storm [A]sharks [A]dragon [H]
Under Trent Robinson, the Roosters have become known as a team that excels in the post-origin period but can be vulnerable early in the season.
You can’t afford a slow start to 2023 with a host of big games taking place at the start of the year.
In round three they meet arch-rivals South Sydney, a team they have beaten in five of their last six meetings, including last year’s vicious finals encounter.
They can recover with a bye before taking on the Eels, followed by away games to Melbourne and Cronulla before their Anzac Day clash with the Dragons, a game that hasn’t really mattered in terms of current form or ranking position in recent years have played.
If the Roosters can get through this run with three wins out of five, they should be pretty lucky.
PREDICTED END: 2nd
It’s a big challenge, but we’ve got the Roosters very close to the top in 2023.
The Robinson politis years have brought Bondi Junction three premierships and after a few seasons of disappointment they appear poised for another leap to glory.
Of course, like all successful teams, they need a bit of luck to find their way, but they have the livestock and culture to capitalize on it when they get their chance.