In the 2026 NRL season, the ‘end of set’ will be the kingmaker. We’re at a point where roster depth is so tight that how you turn over possession is no longer just a stat—it’s the difference between a title and a whole lot of ‘what ifs.’
Halves will dictate where your team finishes after 27 rounds, and that’s why, if you’re looking for a team to watch in 2026, you must look at the Sydney Roosters.
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Note: Mick Crawley is a former attack coach for the Canberra Raiders.
THE FERRARI WITHOUT BREAKS
The last time the Chooks were truly ‘clinical’ was when Cooper Cronk drove the bus. By contrast, the 2025 Roosters were a Ferrari without brakes. They had the horsepower, but they kept crashing because they couldn’t control the speed of game. Enter Daly Cherry-Evans. All halves can kick, but Daly is the surgical gold standard. His accuracy ensures the opposition starts their sets in the ‘coffin’ 90% of the time.
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THE DOMINO EFFECT
When DCE pins a team in the corner, it triggers a chain reaction that the 2025 squad just couldn’t sustain. In footy speak, it’s called ‘The Cycle’:
• Compressed Defence: Because the opposition start trapped deep, the Roosters’ defensive men— Collins, Crichton, Steep and co — can stand shoulder-to-shoulder. They save energy, hit harder, and force a long, desperate kick downfield.
• The Counterattack: Most teams tactically kick to the left winger because right-footed halfbacks naturally shape the ball that way. This is where Daniel Tupou becomes the most important man on the field. Using every bit of his physical presence, he doesn’t just catch the ball; he scatters defenders, winning the collision and finding a quick play-the-ball.
This allows the Roosters to gain valuable field position immediately. The opposition back five are terrified to stay on the end of the line; they know DCE will nail a 40/20 the second they lose concentration. This leaves the defensive line short and the play-the-ball (PTB) speed impossible to control — DCE lands it in the coffin once again and, you guessed it, the cycle begins again.
POWER ON DEMAND
Because the big men aren’t spending the whole game running shuttles chasing kicks, the Roosters’ power forwards stay fresher. That means Spencer Leniu, Naufahu Whyte, and Siua Wong hitting a tiring defence at high speed with numbers in support. It’s a nightmare scenario for a fatigued defensive line.
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ROBSON AND WATSON
The Roosters have added Reece Robson to partner with Connor Watson. Having two elite dummy halves will demand the opposition shorten their defensive line to manage the threat — it will be like holding a pit bull by the ears: the situation is dangerous to control, but even more dangerous to let go.
THE VERDICT
The 2025 Roosters made the playoffs on raw talent alone. In 2026, they have the missing link. With DCE holding the keys, the Ferrari finally has a driver who knows exactly when to hit the brakes — and when to floor it. Cockadoodle do.
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“Wish him well” – Penisini on Lomax | 00:44
WHAT EXPERTS SAID
On new look roster
Dan Ginnane: Looking at their list, if they click, it’s an awesome roster. It’s the fashionable tip to pick them for the comp but that’s a big jump because they’ve made one top four in the last four years – they always play finals – but it’s not as if they’ve really threatened to win a comp in a while. It would be quite the jump.
Braith Anasta: Do I think they can win a comp? Yes, but I wouldn’t be tipping them because of the unknowns in those key positions.
On Sam Walker/DCE combination
Braith Anasta: DCE brings experience in big games and creativity. Him and Sam Walker could be lethal. The big thing for the Roosters is when the pressure was on in big games last year, Sam couldn’t do it. He’s one of the most instinctive halves in the game but you have to have some high percentage rugby league in you. He just rolls the dice on many occasions…
Dan Ginnane: I don’t know about the wisdom of Cherry-Evans because there were games he was missing tackles badly and players were running through them.
On halves’ defence
Braith Anasta: Defensively, they are in the bottom half. If you’re a half and you’re going against the Roosters, no matter how good their 1-17 is, you’ve got two targets on both sides. You’d be having a back rower running inside shoulder on both of them. He’s a small body Sam, DCE is in the back-end of his career. They’ll be getting targeted. Another thing is that they’re both right side players and one of them will have to play on the left… We’re kind of being a little negative but they are concerns. They can win a comp and if they can get it right, they can be amazing but there are concerns.
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THE BIG BREAKDOWN — Mark St John
STRENGTH
Class and depth. The Roosters have arguably the most stacked roster in the competition after adding Origin calibre veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson to an already formidable looking squad. The fact Hugo Savala and Benaiah Ioelu, who were two of their more promising young players last season will struggle to make the 17 says plenty about the quality and depth Trent Robinson has at his disposal. With reigning Dally M Medallist James Tedesco leading a team that features international stars Robert Toia, Daniel Tupou, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Angus Crichton, Victor Radley, Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu, it is no wonder the Roosters are hot favourites to go all the way in 2026.
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WEAKNESS
Combinations. On paper the Roosters have the best team in the competition along with the Broncos, but the game is not played on paper and it will take time for their star recruits to develop combinations. The fact Cherry-Evans and Robson are both spine players means there will be some growing pains, as they build a rapport with their new teammates and develop a game plan. Cherry-Evans will also play in the unfamiliar No.6 jersey, after spending most of his career at No.7 and while both positions are similar, there will be an adjustment period. Incumbents Hugo Savala and Connor Watson will also have to adjust to new roles in the team and there is the danger of having too many cooks in the kitchen, which the Broncos struggled with early last season. However, if the Roosters can stay in touch with the top four in the regular season, they will fancy their chances of having their new look team humming for an assault on a first title since 2019.
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IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR
Sam Walker. The Roosters halfback will be feeling the pressure to perform in 2026, with two players in Cherry-Evans and Savala capable of taking his spot if his form slips. Walker is coming off an injury interrupted 2025 campaign and will want to re-establish himself as the main playmaker at the club in 2026. Cherry-Evans’ arrival could help free Walker up or it could take away from him owning the team and the result, as he has in the past, so it will be a delicate balancing act for the new halves pairing. Walker also has to build a new combination with Robson at dummyhalf and will be targeting an Origin debut after being around the fringes for a couple of seasons.
WHO’S UNDER PRESSURE
Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson. The Roosters went hard to sign Cherry-Evans and Robson because they didn’t think what they had in the spine was enough to challenge for a premiership, so the pressure is on the star recruits to deliver. Adding pressure is that the form of Savala and Ioelu last year raised questions about whether the Roosters needed their two most high profile recruits, especially an ageing Cherry-Evans. There is no doubt at their best the pair will make the Roosters a better footy team, provided they can fit in to the game plan and not take too much away from the strengths the team already has. But if the Chooks start slowly and their two biggest acquisitions struggle early, questions will be raised over whether they made the right call.
THE RISING STAR
Benaiah Ioelu. He may have played 12 games last year in an impressive rookie campaign, but the talented dummyhalf is tipped for even bigger things in the coming seasons. The arrival of Robson could hurt his chances of starting at hooker, but Ioelu could still nab a bench spot, with Connor Watson tipped to play more of a lock role in 2026. Ioelu has slick service, a dangerous running game and is rock solid in defence, so he will be in the sights of rival clubs should he not be able to command a regular spot in the Roosters 17 and there will be no lack of suitors scrambling for his signature if he leaves the Chooks.
PREDICTED FINISH: 1st
BEST 17
1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Billy Smith
4. Robert Toia
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase
6. Daly Cherry-Evans
7. Sam Walker
8. Spencer Leniu
9. Reece Robson
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Angus Crichton
12. Nat Butcher
13. Naufahu Whyte
14. Connor Watson
15. Siua Wong
16. Egan Butcher
17. Blake Steep
ROOSTERS SQUAD
Top 30: Angus Crichton (2026), Benaiah Ioelu (2028), Billy Smith (2027), Blake Steep (2026), Cody Ramsey (2026) Connor Watson (2027), Daly Cherry-Evans (2027), Daniel Tupou (2026), De La Salle Va’a (2027), Egan Butcher (2027), Jake Elliott (2027), James Tedesco (2027), Junior Pauga (2027), Lindsay Collins (2026), Mark Nawaqanitawase (2026), Nat Butcher (2027), Naufau Whyte (2029), Reece Robson (2029), Robert Toia (2027), Sam Walker (2027), Salesi Foketi (2027), Siua Wong (2026), Spencer Leniu (2027), Taylor Losalu (2027), Toby Rodwell (2028), Victor Radley (2027), Xavier Va’a (2026)
Development players: Rex Bassingthwaighte (2028), Reece Foley (2026), Hugo Savala (2026)
2026 gains: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles), Cody Ramsey (St George Illawarra Dragons), Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys), Tommy Talau, (Sea Eagles)
2026 losses: Zach Dockar-Clay (Manly Sea Eagles), Ethan King (North Queensland Cowboys), Ethan Roberts (Wests Tigers), Brandon Smith (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sandon Smith (Newcastle Knights), Chad Townsend (retired), Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)
Coach: Trent Robinson (2028)
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