Sydney Roosters 2025 season preview
2024 recap
The Roosters had a great crack at a 16th Premiership in 2024, but injuries to key players were what ultimately dented their chances.
With just two weeks of the regular season left, Sam Walker and Brandon Smith suffered i juries which will keep them out for most of 2025 as well, while Lindsay Collins was knocked out cold in the opening seconds of their prelim final defeat to Melbourne, which is where their season ended one week out from the Grand Final.
2024 position: 3rd (Lost 48-18 to Melbourne Storm in week three of finals)
Key signings
Chad Townsend (North Queensland Cowboys)
Key departures
Kahu Capper (New Zealand Warriors), Michael Jennings (Retired), Luke Keary (Catalans Dragons), Joseph Manu (Rugby union), Terrell May (Wests Tigers), Lewis Murphy (St Helens), Dylan Napa (Retired), Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i (Rugby union), Sitili Tupouniua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (Hull Kingston Rovers)
Players to watch
Mark Nawaqanitawase begins his first full season with the Chooks in 2025 after switching from rugby union mid-season in 2024. The centre-cum-winger scored a superb try on debut in the final round of the regular season, and with the Roosters’ squad looking paper-thin this year, there’s every chance he’ll see some regular playing time this season.
Chad Townsend is the only notable arrival in Bondi in the off-season, and there’ll be plenty of pressure on the veteran halfback with Sam Walker ruled out for most of 2025. The 34 year-old has a lorry load of experience though, with over 260 games to his name in the NRL. He’ll need all that nous to guide a young Roosters team round the park.
Young gun
Towering prop De La Salle Va’a made his debut in round 27 last year, and with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Terrell May gone, I’m expecting to see the 19 year-old get plenty of first grade action this year. And at 198cm and 117kg, he’s sure to rattle a few opposition front rowers.
Our prediction – 9th
When I look at some of the talent and experience that left the Roosters at the end of 2024, I just can’t see the current crop making the finals. They’re already short of Brandon Smith and Sam Walker for most, if not all of the year, and they can’t afford any more injuries to key players if they’re to be a contender. Maybe some of the young players on the fringes will step up and prove they’re up to first grade. Equally, you can never write off the Roosters, but I just think they’ve lost too much talent and not replaced it.
