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‘Held together the best’: How the Roosters outlasted the Warriors
Sport Nation • October 9th, 2026 9:48 am
Adam Pompey fends Daly Cherry-Evans | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Sydney Roosters head of performance Simon Jones says managing the squad through a demanding season was key to the premiers’ performance, with preparation and player welfare crucial to the club’s final stint.
When asked to sum up the challenge of the 30 week season, Jones told Sport Nation Afternoons it’s “just a beast.”
“Some of the challenge is what you do in December and January, how does that set you up to win in October and in a couple of years?”
The club had reflected on whether heavy pre-season workloads had contributed to slow starts in previous seasons, Jones said.
“I've pushed pretty hard in that first programme and maybe taking feedback around did we start slow some years because we're carrying a bit of a hangover from how hard we went in pre-season.
“But then when you finish really strongly coming into the playoffs in post-season, it's a hard balance there.
“I think we took a few learnings from the last couple of years, put together the best bits, take senior players, really listen to their point of view because they've got a real handle, it's obviously their bodies out there doing that.”
Trent Robinson gets a soaking after his triumph at Accor Stadium | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
The club’s decision to rest players for its final regular-season game against South Sydney was another part of its approach, to which Jones credited head coach Trent Robinson and other staff for the move.
“Obviously, it was well publicised, we arrested some players for that last round robin game against the Rabbitohs.
“But that was a masterstroke from from Robbo and the coaches, really. It was driven mostly by them, and I know the players definitely felt like it paid for them.”
Jones said the Roosters’ ability to get through the finals campaign in good shape contrasted with the Warriors, who were affected by injuries and the toll of the season, despite the Warriors almost claiming the minor premiership and beat the Roosters 42-18 in round one.
“The Warriors, they had some injuries to key members of their spine, they have a slightly less experienced squad in some of those other key positions.
“Those guys are amazing athletes. They played a really great tight brand of footy, but they were a little bit battle-worn.
“Within that spine they had rotation and they lost some key players. A couple of their big weapons were carrying a few niggles through those last games and you could see it had just taken the edge off them.”
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Jones said finals often come down to which team has managed to keep its players available and performing.
“Whether that's the Warriors or any team, that's what finals is, it's almost who's held together the best, who can get through and do that, and that's been Penrith above the other years and it was us this year.”
Listen to the full interview below:
