Ask fans and experts back in February what they thought of the Roosters chances this year and the response was universal.
After the off-season departure of a host of stars, 2025 was a rebuilding year.
Internally, however, the expectations for a club that prides itself on competing for premierships were as high as ever. For the Roosters, there is no such thing as a rebuilding year.
Fast forward to Round 27 and the team needs a win over fierce rivals South Sydney in Friday night's showdown at Allianz Stadium to secure a place in the top eight.
The Roosters have been the surprise packet of 2025 and they have a large crop of talented juniors to thank for their unlikely success.
Hugo Savala Try
Rob Toia, Benaiah Ioelu and Hugo Savala headline a group of kids who have stepped into fill the void left by Joey Manu, Luke Keary and a host of others.
In total, eight players have made their NRL debut for the Roosters this year.
While few could have predicted how well the rookies have played, hooker Connor Watson said the early signs were clear in the pre-season.
"The last time there was this big of a transition in the squad was the year I made my debut," Watson said. "We had guys like Latrell [Mitchell], Joey Manu, Nat Butcher all play that year.
"There was a chunk of us that went from playing 20s to come through and this year's been similar with our young guys. The club's always got a bit of stick for buying the best players but we've always done a really good job of developing the players that come through our 16s, 18s, 20s system.
"In the last year the club's put a lot of time, effort and money into the academy and developing those guys. We're starting to see the fruits of that. They're coming in and training with us at a standard that's already close to first grade.
"They've got so much talent but the way they train and prepare is like a professional so they come in and don't miss a beat."
Match: Roosters v Rabbitohs
Round 27 -
home Team
Roosters
8th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
13th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The Roosters success this year provides a stark contrast to the rebuilds a number of other NRL clubs have gone through in recent times.
With the salary cap designed to equalise talent, most teams ride a cycle of peaks and troughs. A push for the premiership is followed by a slide down the ladder, considerable roster turnover and eventually a climb back up the table.
It's the journey the Bulldogs, Eels and Tigers are currently following, with the three teams at various stages of rebuilds.
All three clubs bottomed out before laying the foundation for future success, with Canterbury set to challenge for the title this year and the Tigers and Eels showing promising signs for the future.
The Roosters, however, have managed to rebuild on the run to remain in the mix for a finals berth this season.
Storm v Roosters - Round 26, 2025
Coach Trent Robinson said this year's success is the result of a long-term plan to prepare players for the transition from junior football to the NRL.
"The key for us was having a lot of these guys here for a while through the junior system," Robinson said. "There's two things you've got to do when you play for a team and play NRL.
"You've got to adapt to the culture of the team and also adapt to the NRL. Doing the first one before you get into the NRL is key. We brought in one or two from outside but everyone else has come through our system so they know the culture of what is expected and then they've had to adapt to the NRL but that halves the time."
The Roosters Academy has played a key role in this process, with a host of club legends tasked with mentoring and developing the next generation of players.
Mitchel Aubusson was the architect of the program before transitioning into his current role in charge of the overall football program, with Jake Friend taking over to lead the academy.
Blake Steep Try
Past players are present throughout the junior pathway, with Boyd Cordner coaching the SG Ball team to the premiership earlier this year and Brett Morris leading the NSW Cup side.
While the Roosters Academy plays a hands-on role with developing talent, Friend said it's sits within a club-wide focus to prepare players for the NRL.
"At the start of the year when we had some injuries, the club stuck it out and believed in the development process," Friend told 94ddz.com. "We gave those guys a chance and they got the opportunity to show their ability.
"The individuals all have to get a lot of credit. We provide a program, the training, information and education around being a full-time professional, but at the end of the day, those boys have to grab it and make the most of it.
"We can't make them do that, we can only provide the best program we can. They've all grabbed it and gone after it. There's been a lot of aspects to this, with all the people involved in not just the academy but the pathways as well.
"Boyd Cordner coached the SG Ball-winning team, the whole program has got better and better and hopefully continues to do that."
The Roosters have never had the biggest junior catchment and while that can be a disadvantage, the club has turned it into an advantage.
The smaller talent pool has allowed staff to dedicate more time each individual player.
The academy itself provides year-round training and education for an elite group of players who live together in accommodation provided by the club. The current iteration was established in 2021, with Ioelu and Blake Steep members of the first class to graduate to the NRL.
While thrilled to see the success this year, Friend is just getting started. The future for the Roosters, he said, is even brighter.
"We've been blessed with the crew we've had come through," Friend said. "Everyone's seen the talent this year. They've been a big part in why we've been able to get to where we are in the season.
"I don't want to take anything away from these guys but we've got some good young guys coming through in the next two to three years. That's what it's about, bringing groups of guys together to live together and train together.
"They may play in different teams but they start to know each other's characteristics on and off the field. How they play, how they live, and that's only going to benefit the club long-term."
