Roosters 2025 Season Lineup

[King Salvo]

Full backs: Teddy, Ethan King, jade anderson
Wingers: 2poo, Dom, Marky mark, Pauga, Tyreece Taite, Lewis murphy
Centres: Billy, Pauga, Tioa, Fekitoa, Gromek
Halves: Walker, Smith, Chad, Hugo Salva, Jake Elliot,
Rake: Watto, ZDC, Sandon Smith, Moriaty,
Forwards: Lindsay, Spence, Whyte, May, X Vaa and Del Vaa
2nd rows: Angus, Egan, Nat, Wong, Steep, McCathie and Foketi
Lock. Victor, Steep, Wong, Nat

Thats so far i can gather as our 2025 team. Theres a few players in 2 spots as they can play both positions.

Lewis Murphy went back to the ESL

Only 22 confirmed signings for 2025 so up to 8 spots to fill plus the 4 to 6 development contracts

1. Tedesco
2. Tupou
3. Young
4. Nawaqanitawase
5. Billy Smith
6. Toia
7. Pauga
8. Walker
9. Sandon Smith
10. "Pete" Townsend
11. Collins
12. Leniu
13. May
14. Whyte
15. Crichton
16. Nat Butcher
17. Wong
18. Egan Butcher
19. Radley
20. Watson
21. Brandon Smith
22. Moriarty
23. ?
24. ?
25. ?
26. ?
27. ?
28. ?
29. ?
30. ?

Development Contracts

1.?
2.?
3.?
4.?
5.?
6.?


Departing - Coach Robinson Confirmed that the following 7 players will be leaving at seasons end

1. Keary - ESL
2. JWH - ESL
3. Manu - Japanese Rugby
4. Suaalii - Australian Rugby/NSW Waratahs
5. Sitili - Bulldogs
6. Jennings - no announcement if retiring or not
7. Napa - Retiring

[Fishwa]

I think there is a few things to note on the line-up for next year.

Firstly, i dont think we are a club that has rebuilding years - they say they play for premierships, and i think the club will move heaven and earth to secure some players, even on short term deals to give us a chance. You can see that in the past with the signings of Cronk, SBW, and to a lesser extent the Morris boys, even Luke O'Donnell. They are not adverse to signing some older guys on short deals if they are going to do a job the clubs needs.

I also think its obvious they dont want Watson as a starting hooker - he is the 13 or 14 (personally id go 14 with Whyte 13) - so a hooker is a target

I think a centre is the next target - i think Marky M will be trialed as 1, but then Pauga and B.Smith - but really - thats 3 risky people for 2 positions, so you can see them going for a tried and tested centre.

Then half - Townsend was signed as a back-up (with Walker) - im not certain the club will go for another half - i think hooker / centre are priority, but wouldn't surprise me if they have a crack at someone on a 1-2 year deal

the other thing i think we will target - probably the most important (and possibly most difficult to find) a goal kicker - we have lost both this year, and i think this is a necessity for next season (we all know how great Teddy is - but when he had to goal kick.........)

2 players realistically that maybe on the radar (apologies i dont know their individual situation.....) what is the latest with the other 2 May brothers? could they be targets?

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Wasn't Hugo a Go-Go?

[Easts75]

Wasn't Hugo a Go-Go?

Was rumoured to be the Titans but not sure that was ever confirmed

[bondi.boy]

Question marks would be over the following:

Centres - For me I think we'll start round 1 with Mark N and Billy Smith in the centres, Mark N hasn't been signed to play reserve grade and Robbo sees a lot in Billy Smith. If Smith goes down to injury (Fingers crossed he doesn't but he is pretty injury prone...) then I could see that being Toia's shot. Wikipedia says Mark N can play centre and did that in Union so if that's true it makes sense that's where he'll be.

Halves - Sandon and Townsend will start the year, I don't mind Townsend when he's in form and Sandon was alright in the finals. Once Walker comes back it'll be a battle between Chad and Sandon for the number 6 jersey and I think that'd probably go to Townsend going off of 2024.

Prop (Replace JWH) - JWH is irreplaceable but I think we'll start with Collins and May. Leniu and Whyte off the bench

Hooker - I think we start the year with Watson at 9 and Dockar-Clay as our utility which isn't ideal as Watson is so great off the bench and will likely be the Australian utility.

---

If we were to go into the market my opinion at least is that we should be looking to just sign a prop forward and an experienced hooker. Jordan Mclean I think fits what we need that being an experienced prop forward who would come cheap, the only experienced hooker available is Jake Granville but he'd be 36 years old and is well past his prime.

No Brandon Smith?

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Was rumoured to be the Titans but not sure that was ever confirmed

Oh, OK...thanks mate. I think he likely makes it at NRL level somewhere.

[King Salvo]

I think there is a few things to note on the line-up for next year.

Firstly, i dont think we are a club that has rebuilding years - they say they play for premierships, and i think the club will move heaven and earth to secure some players, even on short term deals to give us a chance. You can see that in the past with the signings of Cronk, SBW, and to a lesser extent the Morris boys, even Luke O'Donnell. They are not adverse to signing some older guys on short deals if they are going to do a job the clubs needs.

I also think its obvious they dont want Watson as a starting hooker - he is the 13 or 14 (personally id go 14 with Whyte 13) - so a hooker is a target

I think a centre is the next target - i think Marky M will be trialed as 1, but then Pauga and B.Smith - but really - thats 3 risky people for 2 positions, so you can see them going for a tried and tested centre.

Then half - Townsend was signed as a back-up (with Walker) - im not certain the club will go for another half - i think hooker / centre are priority, but wouldn't surprise me if they have a crack at someone on a 1-2 year deal

the other thing i think we will target - probably the most important (and possibly most difficult to find) a goal kicker - we have lost both this year, and i think this is a necessity for next season (we all know how great Teddy is - but when he had to goal kick.........)

2 players realistically that maybe on the radar (apologies i dont know their individual situation.....) what is the latest with the other 2 May brothers? could they be targets?

"Pete" Townsend will do a good job - Sandon Smith I assume will be first choice goal kicker and "Pete" Townsend can kick as well - so can Tyler Moriarty

Possible Round 1 Team 2025

1. Tedesco
2. Toops
3. Billy Smith
4. Young
5. Nawaqanitawase
6. Sandon Smith
7. "Pete" Townsend
8. Collins
9. Watson
10. May
11. Crichton
12. Radley
13. Whyte

Interchange

14. Moriarty
15. Leniu
16. Nat Butcher
17. Wong

Reserves

18. Toia
19. Egan Butcher
20. Pauga
21. Xavier Va'a
22. De La Salle Va'a

[TumutChook]

Anyone that puts Smith in any team is delusional, he will have another massive year of less than a handful of games. Never name him in any team as it’s not to be expected, but more an act of god if he doesn’t break a bone getting out of bed. Surely next year is his last year on the list.

[TumutChook]

Leniu is a myth when he starts or plays extended minutes. It was on show at the Panthers and looks the same with us

Agree,he’s several years away from being a legitimate starter. I also hate to say it but think the blokes a cat like RCG. Several times he’s talked a big game but then offered nothing in the game & just hidden & avoided any contact. Can’t think of a big game where he stood up (take out Origin as who cares as I only worry about where he gets paid)

[bondi.boy]

So, did I miss something about Brandon Smith?
He's injured, but is signed for 2025?

[TumutChook]

I would take some fun footy and 8th right now if you offered it to me. This team will be nowhere near the real stuff next year.

I’m predicting 6th-10th by end of the season. Outside the 8 until Walker & Smith return but by then it will be a mountain too high to get much better than just into the 8. We are a mile off Riff & Storm this year & we are far worse next year. Sharks up there again, Broncos surely improve or will be given a better draw, Dogs around the same, Manly improve.

[TumutChook]

Unpopular opinion but I’d play Marky M in place of Young.

Quinton and Robbo in the centres after a stint with the ghost whisperer.

Quinton Keenihan aka Billy the Kid.

[FlamingRooster]

So, did I miss something about Brandon Smith?
He's injured, but is signed for 2025?

Had a player option for 2025 that he activated early this year

[Jared off for 10]

"Pete" Townsend will do a good job - Sandon Smith I assume will be first choice goal kicker and "Pete" Townsend can kick as well - so can Tyler Moriarty

Possible Round 1 Team 2025

1. Tedesco
2. Toops
3. Billy Smith
4. Young
5. Nawaqanitawase
6. Sandon Smith
7. "Pete" Townsend
8. Collins
9. Watson
10. May
11. Crichton
12. Radley
13. Whyte

Interchange

14. Moriarty
15. Leniu
16. Nat Butcher
17. Wong

Reserves

18. Toia
19. Egan Butcher
20. Pauga
21. Xavier Va'a
22. De La Salle Va'a

I have a mate who is a Cowboys tragic and apparently most Cowboys supporters are so happy to see the back of Townsend. He didn’t do a good job there, so I’m not sure I share your enthusiasm for the bloke.

[HDTONE]

Wouldn't be surprised if there's some scheming behind the scenes to lure some blokes this way.

Reckon Nick would wanna see a more powerful squad than what we're left with.