Over the past two seasons, the Sydney Roosters have farewelled 14 players, including international stars, premiership winners and future icons of the game.
While the likes of Brandon Smith, Joseph Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves have all departed, it has also freed up a plethora of space in the club’s salary cap.
Now, the pending departures of Angus Crichton (Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs) and Mark Nawaqanitawase (Japanese rugby union) have freed up an extra $1.5 million of space as they prepare to raid the best players from rival teams.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
The only place to stream every match of the 2025/26 KFC BBL LIVE is on FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports. | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
Here at foxsports.com.au, we look at eight star players the Sydney Roosters could target over the next few seasons as they aim to remain premiership contenders and win their first title since 2019.
8. ANGUS CRICHTON/JOSEPH MANU/JOSEPH SUAALII/MARK NAWAQANITAWASE
Since Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii decided to depart the club at the end of 2024, the Roosters have made it no secret that they would love to have them back in Bondi.
Intentionally leaving space in their salary cap for the international duo, there have been rumours that they could make their way back to the club and despite being with Racing 92 and the NSW Waratahs, both players do come off-contract at the end of next year.
Aiming to at least secure one of those two players, it is understood that the club is also holding out hope that Mark Nawaqanitawase, who is only 25, will return to the sport after the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“A hundred per cent,” Nawaqanitawase said via AAP in October when asked if he could see himself returning to the NRL. “Especially at the Roosters where I am, it’s been amazing. So it’s definitely on the cards.”
Meanwhile, while unlikely, Angus Crichton (29) could also eventually return to the 13-man code if it doesn’t work out for him in rugby union – he is contracted until the end of 2027 with an option for the following season.
Contract Status: Crichton, Manu and Suaalii – 2027, Nawaqanitawase – 2028
MORE NRL NEWS
EVERY CLUB’S CEILING/FLOOR: Eels, Tigers’ huge rise; Broncos’ hangover risk
EVERY CLUB’S BEST 17: Broncos halves call leaves casualty; Roosters DCE dilemma
‘BRINGS UNPREDICTABILITY’: PVL backs tactical kick-off change to grow game
‘He’s in good shape for how old he is’ | 10:50
7. MAX JORGENSEN
After losing four quality star players to rugby union, could the Roosters strike back?
Considered a generational rugby union talent, Max Jorgensen may be one of the best players in the current Wallabies side. However, that hasn’t stopped links from emerging between him and the Roosters.
The son of former Eastern Suburbs winger Peter Jorgensen, Max has been linked to the Roosters on two previous occasions in 2022 and 2024 but decided against a potential move to remain in the 15-man code.
Off-contract at the end of 2026, Jorgensen is likely to stay in union until the 2027 Rugby World Cup but has yet to confirm where his long-term future lies.
Still only 21, the 19-time capped Wallaby may decide to explore his options afterwards and the Roosters loom as the ideal destination if he turns down a reported five-year Rugby Australia deal that has been tabled to him.
“A home World Cup is the stuff you dream of. It’s two years away, so hopefully I can just play good footy every year, and if selection for that comes up, I’d be very happy,” he said in 2025.
Contract Status: 2026
6. ZAC LOMAX
It is public knowledge that Zac Lomax is more than likely to end up at the Melbourne Storm ahead of the 2026 season, but could the Roosters swoop on him at the last minute?
Despite what you believe about his actions to agitate for a release from the Dragons and Eels in back-to-back seasons, there is no denying that Lomax is a premium outside back of the NRL and can change a match in an instant.
The Australian and NSW Blues winger could easily slot into the Tricolours’ backline and would create a formidable combination with Billy Smith, Daniel Tupou and Robert Toia.
Depending on how many years he joins the Storm for, he could very easily be targeted as a replacement for Nawaqanitawase or even later when veteran Daniel Tupou decides to hang up the boots on his playing career.
“It’s public knowledge there’s been conversations between Melbourne and us,” Lomax’s manager Steve Gillis told Code Sports’ Fanatics TV.
“It’s a matter of trying to navigate the termination document with the Eels and how we may or may not be able to open the door for Zac to continue.
“The good news is the NRL wants the best players in the world playing in the competition. They can see and accept that.
“Peter V’landys said, ‘Yes, he’s welcome back’. I think that’s fantastic … I think common sense will prevail and something will get sorted.”
Contract: Unsigned
NAS & Burgess clash post fight! | 00:16
5. KOTONI STAGGS
The Sydney Roosters have one of the best-built teams in the NRL, but the departures of Joseph Manu, Joseph Suaalii and Mark Nawaqanitawase have forced the club to increase its depth in the outside backs.
Enter, Kotoni Staggs.
While he is secured at the Brisbane Broncos for the next three seasons on a multimillion-dollar contract, his star power is likely to catch the attention of the Roosters as they look to add some explosiveness to their outside backs.
Previously on the Roosters’ radar before he decided to sign an extension to remain in Brisbane, the Roosters may decide to play the waiting game and secure him in 2029 as he enters the prime of his career.
The rise of Ezra Mam, Reece Walsh and others means the Broncos are likely to lose some quality players in the coming years due to lingering salary cap issues.
Staggs’ Broncos teammate Payne Haas is another option that the Roosters could target but has openly stated that he is extremely unlikely to leave Red Hill and is set to only do so for a move to rugby union if that comes in the future.
Contract: 2028
4. ETHAN STRANGE
Since debuting in 2023, Ethan Stange has established himself as one of rugby league’s brightest young prospects and is coming off a standout campaign, which culminated in him being called into the Kangaroos squad.
Although he is contracted with the Raiders until the end of 2028 and is considered a key piece of their future, don’t be surprised if the Sydney Roosters decide to make a play for his services once he enters the open market in November 2027.
The Roosters will have the funds to bring their former junior back to his roots and have the added bonus of already having father John Strange and sister Jasmine Strange on their books, which could potentially sway his decision even more.
A member of the Roosters Under-19s SG Ball Cup, he already has a close relationship with young guns Robert Toia, Benaiah Ioelu and Salesi Foekti and could easily be used in either the halves with Sam Walker or in the centres.
“He’s got qualities of a representative player already as a young person. I don’t say that outlandishly,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said on Strange in 2025.
“For a young player such as Ethan to be able to give off energy to his teammates, it’s similar to Laurie Daley when he was a young player.”
Contract Status: 2028
3. JACOB PRESTON
Over the course of three seasons and 60 matches in the NRL, Jacob Preston has gone from being a relative unknown to one of the best back-rowers in the competition and even found himself being selected in the Kangaroos squad to face England.
Still at the start of his career, the 24-year-old has already shown that he has a long future in the NRL and is destined to be one of the stars of the competition.
And while he is likely to remain in Belmore, could he be swayed by his former team?.
A former Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup captain of the Roosters, Preston played alongside the likes of Hugo Savala at the Tricolours and has moulded into the ideal future target for the Roosters.
One of the few players that the Roosters probably regret not keeping, Preston would be able to fill the vacant back-row spot left by Angus Crichton with ease due to his strong ability to run holes and strong defensive style.
Contract: 2027
2. TINO FA’SUAMALEAUI
While most of the players on this list are already tied down to their current team for another two or three seasons, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui could be at a new club as early as next season.
Although he is contracted with the Gold Coast Titans until the end of 2033, Fa’asuamaleaui has multiple player options in his deal, which could force the Titans to see him walk out the door sooner than expected.
Rumoured to be interested in the Australian and Queensland forward, the Roosters are in the market for a hard-hitting forward with experience and there is no one better available than the Titans skipper.
Seeking as much as $1.5 million a season, the Tricolours do have the funds available to bring him in but will face heavy competition from the Canterbury Bulldogs, Melbourne Storm and Perth Bears.
“I do really want to stay at the Titans, but I want to see things improve around the place and that’s (by) winning,” he told Code Sports in October.
“I have tried to do that for five years, to try to win, and there have been a lot of ups and downs. I want to see improvements throughout the whole club and see it heading in a good direction.
‘I love the Titans and I want to win there and change (the club).“I would love to stay but an NRL career is so short. I played three years at the Storm and am going into my sixth season at the Titans – how many more years do I have in me?”
Contract: 2026
Bears roster build is solid but boring? | 07:08
1. KALYN PONGA
Planning for the future, who is better to replace James Tedesco in the No.1 jersey than Kalyn Ponga?
While youngster Rex Bassingthwaite is deemed the long-term successor to Tedesco, at this point in time, Ponga is on another level and is easily one of the best fullbacks in the NRL on his day.
A ten-time representative for the Queensland Maroons, Ponga has that X-factor that Tedesco has, and has previously shown he can be near untouchable in attack with his agility, speed and expert stepping ability.
Not only do the Roosters have the funds to snare the 2023 Dally M winner, but he has also found himself linked with the Tricolours over the past 12 months as he continues to chase his maiden premiership.
Likely to be on the lookout for a new team as the Knights undergo their own rebuild under Justin Holbrook, the fullback is free to speak to rival teams from as early as November and could very well link up with them sooner than expected.
“The Roosters are definitely looking at trying to get Ponga there from 2028-onwards and it’s all part of a bigger rebuild at that club,” veteran journalist Andrew Webster said in March, 2025.
“If he can’t get it done with Dylan Brown there in 2026 and 2027 he might want to have a look at being part of a revolution with the Roosters from 2028-onwards.”
Contract: 2027
Discussion about this post