2024 review: Sydney Roosters

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AJ Lucantonio recaps a season of promise for the Tricolours.

Season full of promise but questions linger heading into 2025

After a disappointing 2023, which left several questions about the long-term future of the Sydney Roosters. 2024 promised to be one of renewal for the boys from Bondi. With the arrival of Spencer Leniu and Dom Young, the side had genuine impact across several skill positions. On-top of a fully fit spine and renewed forwards, the Roosters had hopes of returning to the top four.

What's more, the side were saying farewell to a bulk of the premiership dynasty that built the club into a fortress. Players such as Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargraves, Sitili Tupouniua and Joesph Suaali'i would all be departing at the end of the season. As a result, season 2024 took on a Last Dance vibe for the red, white and blue.

The season began with a historic trip to Las Vegas, with an impressive victory over grand finalists Brisbane. Unfortunately, the gloss of the victory was taken off almost immediately when Leniu was suspended for a racial slur directed at Brisbane half Ezra Mam. There seemed to be a bit of a Vegas fatigue about the Roosters with the club going on a win-loss pattern until Anzac Day including a 30-26 loss to Canterbury after being down 26-0 at half-time.

That day seemed to be the day the switch was flicked, and the Roosters entered overdrive. After a disappointing season in attack last year, the Roosters were back to an exciting team with the football under assistant coach Justin Holbrook. Angus Crichton was rejuvenated on the edge after starting the season in NSW Cup, while Connor Watson became the NSW Origin utility promised when he signed to the club.

Naufahu Whyte also delivered this season, earning a New Zealand jumper after an impressive campaign where he proved to be a significant point of difference on the bench with Terrell May. May was awarded the RLPA Impact Player of the Year after an amazing campaign where he was the only Rooster to play every game on the season. His ability to stand in tackles and offloads delivered huge results and momentum swings in games. Despite the strong performances, injuries cruelled the Roosters late and had to settle for third spot, a fair reward after a strong season for the side.

In the finals, the Roosters Achillies heel was exposed for the entire premiership to see. A failure to beat the top-two sides in the semi-finals. A perfect first half by the Panthers left the Roosters chasing the game from the opening whistle, despite a competitive second half, it wasn't enough. A second week massacre of Manly put the club in a good position to try and beat the Melbourne juggernaut in Melbourne. The loss of Lindsay Collins in the first tackle of the game weakened the Roosters middle, and despite a six point margin midway through the second half, a controversial no-call blunted the Roosters spirit and would lose by 30 points ending their season and the Last Dance for several high profile stars.

Turning Point

The Horror Show at Allianz

The Roosters continued good form and were set for a top-two finish before a disaster of a game against the Raiders in R26. Sam Walker and Brandon Smith would be injured and miss the finals charge, while Victor Radley also got injured, but bravely battled into the finals series. The Roosters still finished in a respectable third place, but it felt like the season ended at that critical point.

What went right

The Return to Form of Big Name Stars

I will touch on this more in depth in a moment. But the return to form of the likes of James Tedesco, Crichton, Watson and Walker set the Roosters up for success this season. As also mentioned, the return of Holbrook to the club gave the Roosters new found licence to attack. After having the third worst attack twelve months ago (scoring 19.67 points per game), the Roosters mustered up an impressive 30.75 points per game. Walker had more licence to roam before his heartbreaking knee injury and will be a sore-loss for the first half of 25'.

What went wrong

Injuries. It seems like we have this discussion every year. But, the Roosters once again battled injury at the worst possible time. Everything was going swimmingly and looking on track for a serious push at the title. Then, it all went wrong. Walker and Smith appeared to be the injuries the club couldn't come back from. They battled injuries all year with outside back shortages leading Michael Jennings and Tupouniua to be the centres at points this season. Despite this, depth will be tested in 25' with the absence of so much class talent.

2024 week-by-week

Best Players

After a quiet season by his standards. James Tedesco channelled his inner Michael Jordan and took all the criticisms "personally" and had an amazing 2024. Despite missing selection for NSW, Tedesco took it in his stride and led the Roosters back to the top four for the first time since 2020, scoring 17 tries and averaging just under 200 metres. He also improved as a ball distributor, setting up 24 tries (most in his career).

We also cannot forgo this section without talking about Angus Crichton. After a down 2023, headlined by a much-publicised mental health scare. Crichton had to work his way from the bottom to make the headlines he did this season. After starting in the NSW Cup, Crichton had to earn his starting jumper back, but once he did, he never looked back, Crichton returned to the dominating self he once was, winning the Wally Lewis and Brad Fittler Medal's after a strong Origin campaign. He also developed an offload game this season, offloading the ball a staggering 57 times after just 38 in the last two seasons. Now his future is sorted with the club, expect Crichton to take on a leadership role in the absence of so many class players.

Rookies

Academy program is starting to take shape with two players from the program debuting this season. Blake Steep debuted in Origin time and played three games for the club this season. Also to debut was De La Selle Va'a and Mark Nawaqanitawase in the last round win over the Rabbitohs. Va'a jumping his brother Xavier this season with a strong campaign in the second tier. Coming through in the pathways is young half Jake Elliott as well as forwards Salesi Foketi, Max McCathie and Taylor Losalu who performed strongly in the NSW Cup side this season. Tyler Moriarty may enter calculations if the injury to Brandon Smith is severe and they want to look towards the future at that position.

2024 player records

Season snapshot

Coach: Trent Robinson
Captains: James Tedesco (26), Luke Keary (2)

Biggest home crowd: 37,594 (vs. South Sydney in round 3)
Average home crowd: 22,275

Top pointscorer: Sam Walker (216)
Top tryscorer: Daniel Tupou (21)

Club awards

Jack Gibson Medal - James Tedesco
Red Rooster Members' Player of the Year - Angus Crichton
Steggles Try of the Year - Sam Walker
James Mathews Clubman of the Year Award - Connor Watson

Looking ahead

Next year will be a year of transition for the Roosters. It will be a bizarre season, but one that should bring some optimism for the club. Sandon Smith will have to step up massively in the absence of Walker to start the season, but will have some strong support from new buy Chad Townsend. The forwards will have to step up substantially with JWH's absence. Hooker is a point of concern moving forward, so maybe the club looks around to see if they can find one until Brandon Smith is ready to go.

Best Lineup in 2025

based on current signings at the time of writing

1.     James Tedesco
2.     Daniel Tupou
3.     Billy Smith
4.     Mark Nawaqanitawase
5.     Dom Young
6.     Sandon Smith
7.     Chad Townsend
8.     Terrell May*
9.     Connor Watson
10.   Lindsay Collins
11.   Angus Crichton
12.   Nat Butcher
13.   Victor Radley

14.   Zach Dockar-Clay
15.   Naufahu Whyte
16.   Spencer Leniu
17.   Siua Wong