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Sport Nation
2025 Mid-season review: Sydney Roosters
Charles Goodsir • June 16th, 2025 12:54 pm
It was a season of the unknown as a new-look Sydney Roosters hit the paddock in 2025. On the back of losing Sam Walker and Brandon Smith to injuries, the Roosters also farewelled club stalwarts including Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and even Joseph Suaalii to rugby union.
The season started as bad as ever with a whalloping at home to the Brisbane Broncos. However, the Roosters have compiled some strong performances to date including wins against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, the Dolphins at Magic Round and a complete dismantling of the Sharks in Gosford. They might not be the juggernaut they once were but based on their form this season, the Roosters won’t be down for too long.
Ladder: 8thRecord: 6W, 7L, 2 Byes
Positive: Unearthed excellent young talent
The massive player drain at the Roosters after 2024 was well documented and it was the biggest storyline heading into this season. The Chooks recruitment in the past few years was also not up to the usual standard. Fast forward to the end of Round 15 and supporters would feel incredibly optimistic about not just this season but the future direction of the club.
Mark Nawaqanitawase has been sensational despite some of his handling errors. Robert Toia has become a State of Origin player for Queensland after just 10 games. Hugo Savala kept Chad Townsend and possibly even Daly Cherry-Evans out of the side and Sandon Smith had one of the best individual performances of the season with a man of the match display on Anzac Day.
Negative: Season Opener v Brisbane
There were plenty of skeptics leading into the Roosters’ first game of the season and after an 80-minute horrorshow, they were justified. The Broncos ran out 50-14 victors in a demolition of the Roosters which we have rarely seen in the past decade. It was the first indication that this wasn’t going to be the same Roosters side of the past and that at times, they were going to struggle.
There have been some disappointing losses this season but thankfully for Roosters fans, none were as bad as their Round 1 performance.
Best Player: Naufahu Whyte
The Roosters needed their young forwards to step up in 2025 and Naufahu Whyte has led the charge. His fifth season for the tri-colours and the 23-year-old Kiwi is putting together easily his best season in first grade. Whyte is averaging more minutes and has cracked over 100 average running metres (146) for the first time in his career and is on pace to have his most efficient season in defence yet.
Biggest Moment: The greatest upset ever v Penrith
After losing 50-14 in Round 1, the Roosters entered their Round 2 match-up against the Penrith Panthers as $11 outsiders and were given a 23.5 start with bookmakers. Additionally, the Roosters had lost to Penrith in their last 10 encounters; a record for the Roosters dating back to 1908.
Everything going into this game suggested that Penrith would wipe the floor with an understrength Roosters. And yet, Trent Robinson’s men arguably secured the greatest upset victory ever seen in Australian sport. It was unheralded players like Hugo Savala, Taylor Losalu, Blake Steep, Salesi Foketi and rugby union convert Mark Nawaqanitawase who led the way,
Grade: B
