Rooster's Transition

["gaz"]

Some may see it as a re-build however it is much more. The Roosters are in a full transition to a developmental pathways dominated club.

Nick Politis leads this change.
This change was born 5 years ago during there trip to Barcelona FC.
They saw how their Academy and Pathways systems were vital to Barcelona's success in winning every trophy in Europe with a developed-side, bar one.

Nick Politis was impressed and saw an opportunity. He could see the long term benefits of implementing the Barcelona way into the Roosters Way.
Nick's team includes Robbo, Aubs, Friend, and Cordner (all visited Barcalona)

***Some of the changes that have occurred
Expansion of Rooster pathways nurseries.
Academy and housing and care provided for high quality, long distant, young talent.
Recruitment - Focus on high quality young players that meet Roosters standards, focus on players that will be future 200 game NRL players
Training - Same as NRL level with growth and development high priority
More exposure/promotion to higher graded games

We could see last year when the Roosters "New" NSW Cup side was filled with youth, they struggled at first however they improved as the season wore on.
Now many are playing NRL this year.
This year there was only one player with NRL experience in the R1 NSW Cup team

The Roosters have decided this is the ideal running and recruitment strategy's for the future long term success of the club.

With not much on the market in 2025 and not wanting to block pathways players the Roosters will continue to build there future team around Sam Walker

We have faced some obstacles and difficulties to start this season with a host of players unavailable,

With tough matches to start the season even last years side would be tested

Robson has been added for 2026 to the spine which will be Robson, Walker, S. Smith and Teddy

Who will be our next player of the caliber of Sam Walker or Lachlan Galvin?

["gaz"]

First Grade Games experience Roosters v Broncos R1 (it will be similar when we play Penrith R2 minus Radley)

Toupou - 266 games
Townsend - 263
Tedesco - 252
Crichton - 178
Watson - 147
Radley -142 (HIA 12 minute of match)
Collins - 114
Young - 74
===========
Whyte - 35
S.Smith - 30
ZDC - 21
Wong - 20
Steep - 4
Nawaquanitawase -1
Toia - 0
Foketi - 0
Losalu - 0

[HunchoRooster]

Well the comparison to Barcelona's system is interesting. The last time they won every trophy in Europe was 2015 where they had arguably the greatest player of all time at the peak of their powers and also had Suarez who they'd purchased for close to 100mil and Neymar who they'd purchased for close to 100mil.

Since then they've been inconsistent and suffered financial troubles and currently have 36 year old Lewandowski leading the line for them who is obviously not an academy player. Amongst the current side are plenty of bought products that are seemingly firing at the moment but have been inconsistent. Theyve really only produced 3 or 4 high quality academy players since their glory days of over a decade ago.

Perhaps Uncle Nick is going for the Barca approach of make recruitment errors whilst your rivals win multiple trophies In a row. Madrid have won 5 UCLs since Barca last won there's. Similarities to Penriff and us. They also sack their coaches at the drop of a hat, if Robbo's results had been translated into Barcelona he'd have biten the bullet 3 years ago.

Sorry to go King Salvo on you all but I'm a big football fan so I won't allow lazy comparative journalism go unnoticed.

[JAF]

It's a fine balancing act - develop players within as the priority and purchase when required to fill any holes to complement the team.

And if an established superstar comes on the market, then evaluate and go for it if the cap fits and that player will help further develop those around him (e.g. Cronk)

[Rooster_6]

It's a fine balancing act - develop players within as the priority and purchase when required to fill any holes to complement the team.

And if an established superstar comes on the market, then evaluate and go for it if the cap fits and that player will help further develop those around him (e.g. Cronk)

Yeh I see it just as a reprioritisation of our squad building strategy.

Instead of recruit first and then look to the lower grades for talent when there's nothing on the market it's now look to the lower grades first and recruit where needed.

I know that's a massive over simplification and there's more nuance to building a squad, but that seems to be consistent with the messaging from Robinson. We won't block the path of good young talent.

I think it's very clear that they won't sign a half because they have Elliott (signed until 2027) and Rodwell (signed until 2028).

However where we have no clear and obvious talent in the dummy half role, we have gone out and recruited Reece Robson.

I am a big fan of the strategy shift and willing to go through some short term pain if it means having a club that isn't reliant on the strength of the open market to help deliver success. There's no doubt that Penrith's run has been aided by their ability to replenish from within and that that Melbourne's sustained success is down to their ability to do the same.

Because there won't always be a Cooper Cronk who wants to move because his wife lives in Sydney or an Uncle Nick who can make a hand shake agreement with a SBW. Good strong pathways though are a more repeatable and sustainable method of delivering high quality talent.

["gaz"]

It's a fine balancing act - develop players within as the priority and purchase when required to fill any holes to complement the team.

And if an established superstar comes on the market, then evaluate and go for it if the cap fits and that player will help further develop those around him (e.g. Cronk)

Agree,
Unfortunately no one is currently available, although Robson will be great fit next year
The unavailability of players this year especially the loss of Walker has hurt

[Bondicigar]

Some may see it as a re-build however it is much more. The Roosters are in a full transition to a developmental pathways dominated club.

Nick Politis leads this change.
This change was born 5 years ago during there trip to Barcelona FC.
They saw how their Academy and Pathways systems were vital to Barcelona's success in winning every trophy in Europe with a developed-side, bar one.

Nick Politis was impressed and saw an opportunity. He could see the long term benefits of implementing the Barcelona way into the Roosters Way.
Nick's team includes Robbo, Aubs, Friend, and Cordner (all visited Barcalona)

***Some of the changes that have occurred
Expansion of Rooster pathways nurseries.
Academy and housing and care provided for high quality, long distant, young talent.
Recruitment - Focus on high quality young players that meet Roosters standards, focus on players that will be future 200 game NRL players
Training - Same as NRL level with growth and development high priority
More exposure/promotion to higher graded games

We could see last year when the Roosters "New" NSW Cup side was filled with youth, they struggled at first however they improved as the season wore on.
Now many are playing NRL this year.
This year there was only one player with NRL experience in the R1 NSW Cup team

The Roosters have decided this is the ideal running and recruitment strategy's for the future long term success of the club.

With not much on the market in 2025 and not wanting to block pathways players the Roosters will continue to build there future team around Sam Walker

We have faced some obstacles and difficulties to start this season with a host of players unavailable,

With tough matches to start the season even last years side would be tested

Robson has been added for 2026 to the spine which will be Robson, Walker, S. Smith and Teddy

Who will be our next player of the caliber of Sam Walker or Lachlan Galvin?

I'm in!
how long till we see some fruit ?
hopefully 5 in a row from 2028

[Easts75]

As long as they can admit 'defeat' when needed with players they have invested in. Sorry if you read this Sandon Smith but fark me you are bog average at best

[Carlos Parra]

As long as they can admit 'defeat' when needed with players they have invested in. Sorry if you read this Sandon Smith but fark me you are big average at best

Big or bog - both work!

["gaz"]

Yeh I see it just as a reprioritisation of our squad building strategy.

Instead of recruit first and then look to the lower grades for talent when there's nothing on the market it's now look to the lower grades first and recruit where needed.

I know that's a massive over simplification and there's more nuance to building a squad, but that seems to be consistent with the messaging from Robinson. We won't block the path of good young talent.

I think it's very clear that they won't sign a half because they have Elliott (signed until 2027) and Rodwell (signed until 2028).

However where we have no clear and obvious talent in the dummy half role, we have gone out and recruited Reece Robson.

I am a big fan of the strategy shift and willing to go through some short term pain if it means having a club that isn't reliant on the strength of the open market to help deliver success. There's no doubt that Penrith's run has been aided by their ability to replenish from within and that that Melbourne's sustained success is down to their ability to do the same.

Because there won't always be a Cooper Cronk who wants to move because his wife lives in Sydney or an Uncle Nick who can make a hand shake agreement with a SBW. Good strong pathways though are a more repeatable and sustainable method of delivering high quality talent.

My sentiments exactly
I trust Nick and the club to be making these decisions, he is a smart business man.

He has overhauled our old development program, created new pathways teams and a new academy obviously increasing funds into our future NRL feeder system.

It was interesting that the Roosters held "closed, invitation only trials" for this years Junior rep squad selections and the greater number of pathways teams including two teams now in Harold Mathews Cup (both currently in top 4).

With the increase in pathways player numbers and astute junior recruitment, our odds of finding those "diamonds in the rough" have expanded. Fast track there progress and eventually a continuous flow of ready made replacements becomes available.

Then if a superstar player comes on the market and it works for our team then the Roosters will be all over it.

On a side note. What a great NSW Cup win by the baby Roosters v last years Grand Finalists Norths yesterday.

[Chicken.Little]

Agree,
Unfortunately no one is currently available, although Robson will be great fit next year
The unavailability of players this year especially the loss of Walker has hurt

Walker is injured every year. We missed out on some signings that would have really helped. Lomax for 1.

[BTRD]

I believe that if we had a forward pack that dominated, Townsend and Sandon S would go a lot better.

But lately, our forwards have been getting belted.

I scratch my head, how Robinson who is regarded as one of the better coaches in the NRL, has allowed this to happen constantly.

[Bates]

We should stick to what we're good at when it comes to building our roster.

This ain't Barcelona Toto.

[MKCS]

I think adopting what most other successful teams is the way to go tbh. If you have a future star coming through juniors then put him in the team and let him develop, if you don't have a future star in the position then sign someone who can either become that star or already is a star.

Our backs for example, Mark N looks like a good long term option at left wing once Tupou is done, Toia off his 1 game looks like a good option at centre, that means Roosters should sign a left centre for next year because odds are we don't have another future superstar centre coming through.

Same with the halves, Sandon Smith ain't it, Townsend ain't it, Walker is it but unless we have a future superstar 6 who is ready to perform right now then we should go to market.

["gaz"]

Walker is injured every year. We missed out on some signings that would have really helped. Lomax for 1.

Walker's injury has really hurt, our great attack last year was centred around him.

I guess in regards to Lomax or Holmes the Roosters won't spend above 800k for a centre or winger and the Roosters had faith in Billy Smith, Nawaqanitawase, Toia and Pauga
We missed out on Hunt and got Robson for 2026 instead