Luke Keary's retirement at the end of this season will likely leave the club with just two survivors from the last time they tasted premiership success – underlining the more than $8 million of top drawer talent that has left Bondi in the last four years.
Keary led the Chooks to titles in 2018 and 2019 – as well as another premiership ring with South Sydney in 2014 – but will hang up the boots at the end of this season after a stellar career.
Keary has been in the No.6 jumper for seven years at Bondi, partnering a litany of big names in the halves, from Mitchell Pearce and Cooper Cronk to young gun Sam Walker.
READ MORE: Keary makes $800k call in shock retirement
READ MORE: Awkward vision exposes lingering Swans tension
READ MORE: Harsh 'reality' behind Latrell's Origin decision
His premature exit, which will see him forego an estimated $800,000 in the final year of his contract, will likely open the door for Walker to gain the keys to the castle alongside fellow young prospect Sandon Smith, who has impressed in limited opportunities.
But what it means for the Roosters – who have failed to make a grand final since their win over Canberra – is that their incredible roster transformation will continue.
At the end of this year, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will finish up in the NRL, while both Joey Manu and Joseph Suaalii will make the switch to rugby union.
Veteran winger Daniel Tupou remains unsigned for 2025 and beyond, while back-rower Angus Crichton hasn't been locked down by the Roosters and could also move on.
As it stands, the only three players who will survive beyond this year from the last Roosters premiership will be fullback and captain James Tedesco, lock-forward Victor Radley and reliable back-rower Nat Butcher.
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Tedesco is contracted until the end of 2025 but has returned to form this year, while Butcher and Radley have both secured their futures long-term in the red, white and blue.
The only other man who is still in the same position he held five years ago is head coach Trent Robinson and there's no sign of the three-time premiership winning slowing down or moving on from the Tricolours any time soon.
From the title-winning team, Latrell Mitchell is the only high-profile name plying his trade at another club, while prop Isaac Liu and Sam Verills are still playing in the NRL.
Brett Morris, Cooper Cronk, Mitch Aubusson, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend have all retired, while Sio Siua Taukeiaho left the Super League to sign with the Bulldogs for 2024 but failed his medical and faces an uncertain future.
While the mass changes to the squad have yet to result in another Provan-Summons Trophy, plenty of stars have either emerged or signed with the Roosters during that period to keep their premiership window wide open.
Brandon Smith and Spencer Leniu are notable names to head to Bondi in recent years, while the likes of Walker, Terrell May and Siua Wong look to be long-term prospects.
Many fans of the Roosters will be banking on success this year with the plethora of stars set to leave – but as long as Robinson is at the helm and the club have dollars to spend and young players coming through the ranks, they will continue to be a force.
Sydney Roosters 2019 grand final team
- James Tedesco – Signed until end of 2025
- Daniel Tupou – Unsigned
- Latrell Mitchell – South Sydney Rabbitohs
- Joey Manu – Moving to Japanese rugby
- Brett Morris – Retired
- Luke Keary – Retiring at end of 2024
- Cooper Cronk – Retired
- Jared Waerea-Hargreaves – Moving to Super League
- Sam Verrills – Gold Coast Titans
- Isaac Liu – Gold Coast Titans
- Boyd Cordner – Retired
- Mitch Aubusson – Retired
- Victor Radley – Signed until end of 2028
- Angus Crichton – Unsigned
- Nat Butcher – Signed until end of 2027
- Sio Siua Taukeiaho – Unclear
- Jake Friend – Retired
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.