2024 End of Season reviews: Sydney Roosters

As the 2024 NRL season nears its conclusion, it’s time to look back on the teams that fell short of September and what they got right and wrong in their respective seasons.

In this edition, SEN will take a look at the Sydney Roosters who were in the mix to contend but failed to match it with the heavyweights of the competition.

Sydney Roosters

Ladder: 3rd
Record: 16-8 (275)

Lost Qualifying Final 32 v 10 v Penrith
Won Semi Final 40-16 v Manly
Lost Preliminary Final 48-18 v Melbourne

The Sydney Roosters once again entered the new NRL season as Premiership fancies given the talent they boast on their roster. Due to the departures of Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii, the 2024 season had a ‘last dance’ feel to it as the Roosters had one final crack to win another title with this crop of players.

Despite the continual losses to Penrith and Melbourne, everything looked on course before a horror run of injuries late in the season took the wind right out of their sails. It was those teams again in the Panthers and Storm that ultimately proved to be the Chooks’ kryptonite as they were sent packing one game short of the Grand Final.

Highlight: The revival of Angus Crichton

Aftera tumultuous period off the field, Angus Crichton was at a crossroads at the beginning of the 2024 season. The second-rower was left out of the Roosters side that travelled to Las Vegas for the season opener against the Broncos. Furthermore, his future at the club was clouded after the Roosters announced the signing of Gold Coast Titans forward David Fifita. Whilst Fifita eventually walked away from that deal, Crichton rightfully felt snubbed by the club and a move to rugby union in France was on the cards.

What followed was a State of Origin series for the ages as Crichton dominated the game’s biggest stage and deservedly took home the Wally Lewis Medal as NSW clinched the series 2-1 at Suncorp Stadium. Following his successful year, the 28-year-old was rewarded with a two-year contract extension at the Roosters. Arguably the feel-good story of the year.

Honourable Mentions: ANZAC Day mauling v Dragons, semi final win v Manly

__Lowlight: __Canberra catastrophe

The 14-12 loss to the Canberra Raiders in Round 26 would’ve stung but it was amplified with the injuries to Sam Walker, Brandon Smith and Victor Radley. Walker and Smith went down with ACL injuries in the first half and the home Allianz Stadium crowd were well and truly silenced when Radley went down with a shoulder injury. The atmosphere was completely sucked out of the joint as Roosters fans realised their premiership aspirations had essentially gone up in smoke.

The post script involving Trent Robinson and outgoing Raiders captain Elliot Whitehead was also a regrettable

Honourable Mentions: Round 13 loss v Cowboys, Round 5 loss v Bulldogs

Best Player: James Tedesco

Teddy’s 2024 season epitomises why you can never count out a champion. After a poor 2023 season, Tedesco bounced back in superb fashion to have one of his best seasons ever in his already decorated career. The 31-year-old scored 17 tries, his best return since the 2019 Premiership winning season and had career high numbers for try assists and line breaks at 24 each. His 250th game in the semi final against Manly was one for the ages as he crossed over for two tries, had three line break assists, two try assists, two line breaks and ran for 226 running metres.

Honourable Mentions: Angus Crichton and Sam Walker

What they need for 2025: Find a way to defeat Penrith and/or Melbourne

Roosters fans may bristle when it’s mentioned but it’s the elephant in the room that is getting louder and louder. The Panthers became the first team to record 10 consecutive victories against the Roosters in their 116-year history. The Chooks’ record against Melbourne is equally as deplorable with just one win from their last 12 meetings.

The 1-22 record is so poor that it now appears to be a mental barrier when the Roosters come up against these two teams. The first half against Penrith in the qualifying was evidence of this.

Early 2025 prediction: 4th

Grade: B+

On paper, a preliminary final appearance is an incredibly successful season but for Chairman Nick Politis, it’s all about Premierships. It’s apparent that the Roosters are simply incapable of defeating Penrith and Melbourne who have overtaken them as the heavyweights of the competition. With significant losses to their playing roster, it appears the Premiership window is now well and truly shut.