Sydney Roosters 2025 season review

Overview

The Roosters either overacheived or underacheived in 2025, depending on your viewpoint. Many would say that a top eight spot was a success after losing the likes of Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu et al ahead of 2025.

On the other hand, for a club with a history of success, a top eight finish could be considered the bare minimum, and that’s what they acheived – just – before going out in week one of the Finals to Cronulla Sharks.

Highs

So many of the Roosters’ youngsters really stepped up to the plate this year. The likes of Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hugo Savala, Rob Toia, Blake Steep and Benaiah Ioelu all developed way ahead of schedule.

Nawaqanitawase finished as the NRL top tryscorer and earned a Kangaroos jumper for the tour of England, while Toia was called up for Queensland and played all three games.

Then there was the veteran fullback James Tedesco, who continued to lead by example for his younger teammates, and won the Dally M for his performances over the season.

Results-wise, there were a few crackers too, including a 64-12 away demolition of the Dolphins and a 40-10 win down in Melbourne against the Storm.

And, for a side that won only two of their opening seven games, the Chooks did remarkably well to storm back into Finals contention and seal their spot at the expense of the Dolphins.

Lows

The 20-10 defeat to the Sharks in week one of the Finals was a bitter disappointment. The Roosters went into that game in good form (admittedly, so did Cronulla), but they never looked like advancing.

Then there were the unforced errors. The Roosters led the way in that particular stat in 2025, which goes some way to explaining that Finals defeat against a Sharks side who never motored into top gear.

2025 RLB Player of the Year – James Tedesco

Honourable mentions must go to the likes of Mark Nawaqanitawase and Rob Toia, but I can’t ignore the man who won the Dally M. After a turbulent couple of years where he came in for a lot of criticism, Teddy had arguably his best campaign in 2025 and set a perfect example for his young teammates.

Reasons to be positive in 2026

The Roosters’ young guns will surely go from strength to strength next year with a full season under their belts. Reece Robson will be a great addition from the Coyboys, while they don’t come with much more experience than Daly Cherry-Evans (if he completes his move from Manly).

My 2025 prediction – 9th

Final 2025 position – 8th (+1)

I’m delighted with this prediction, even though I backed them to miss out on Finals. This line in particular from my 2025 preview is striking:

“Maybe some of the young players on the fringes will step up and prove they’re up to first grade“

Well, they certainly did step up, and next year there’ll be big expectation to deliver again.

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