Sydney Roosters facts for kids
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| Club information | |||
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| Full name | Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club |
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| Nickname(s) | Roosters, Easts, Tricolours, Chooks, Red White and Bluesters, Sydney City, Eastern Suburbs | ||
| Website | roosters.com.au | ||
| Colours | Blue (Navy) White Red |
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| Founded | 24 January 1908 as Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club | ||
| Current details | |||
| Ground(s) |
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| CEO | Joe Kelly | ||
| Chairman | Nick Politis | ||
| Coach | Trent Robinson (NRL) John Strange (NRLW) |
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| Captain | James Tedesco (NRL) Isabelle Kelly (NRLW) |
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| Competition | National Rugby League and NRL Women's Premiership | ||
| 2024 season | 3rd | ||
| Uniforms | |||
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| Records | |||
| Premierships | 15 (1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1945, 1974, 1975, 2002, 2013, 2018, 2019) | ||
| Runners-up | 15 (1908, 1919, 1921, 1928, 1931, 1934, 1938, 1941, 1960, 1972, 1980, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2010) | ||
| Minor premiership | 20 (1912, 1913, 1923, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018) | ||
| World Club Challenge | 5 (1976, 2003, 2014, 2019, 2020) | ||
| NRL Nines | 1 (2017) | ||
| World Sevens | 1 (1993) | ||
| NRLW | 2 (2022) | ||
| Wooden spoons | 5 (1949, 1963, 1965, 1966, 2009) | ||
| Most capped | 310 - Jared Waerea-Hargreaves | ||
| Highest points scorer | 1,469 - Craig Fitzgibbon | ||
The Sydney Roosters are a professional rugby league team from Sydney, Australia. Their full name is the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club. They play in the National Rugby League (NRL) competition.
The Roosters have won many titles, including fifteen NSWRL and NRL championships. They are one of the oldest clubs, being the only one to play in every top-level season since 1908. The Sydney Roosters have won 15 premierships, which is tied with the St George Dragons. Only the South Sydney Rabbitohs have won more.
The club also holds records for the most wins, most minor premierships, and most World Club Challenge trophies. Their current coach is Trent Robinson, and the captain is James Tedesco. The Roosters play their home games at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The club started in 1908 in Paddington, Sydney. They were first called "Eastern Suburbs". In 1995, their name changed to the "Sydney City Roosters". Then, in 2000, it became the "Sydney Roosters". The team's main club is in Bondi Junction. Their home ground and training facilities are in Moore Park. The Roosters have big rivalries with other Sydney teams, especially the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Contents
Club History
The Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club (ESDRLFC) was created on January 24, 1908. This happened at a meeting in Paddington Town Hall. It was decided that the district would have a team in the new New South Wales Rugby Football League. The club was set up to represent areas like Waverley, Randwick, Woollahra, Paddington, and Vaucluse.
The team was unofficially called the "Tricolours" because of their red, white, and blue uniforms. Eastern Suburbs won their first game 32–16 against Newtown on April 20, 1908. In 1913, they became the first club to win three premierships in a row. Famous players like Dally Messenger and Harry "Jersey" Flegg played for them then. After this success, the club's performance dropped for the next nine seasons.
From 1926 to 1942, Eastern Suburbs almost always made the finals. During this time, they won four titles and seven minor premierships. Dave Brown set many scoring records that are still unbroken. In 1935, the team lost only one game. They also had their biggest win ever, 87–7, against Canterbury. In 1936, Eastern Suburbs became one of only five teams to go undefeated for a whole season. They did it again the next year, making them the only club to be unbeaten for two seasons in a row.
After winning the premiership in 1945, Eastern Suburbs did not make the finals for seven years. In 1960, they were runners-up but lost the grand final 31–6 to St George. In 1966, the club had its worst year, not winning any games. This was the last time they won the wooden spoon until 2009. From 1963 to 1966, they won only 8 out of 72 matches. Things improved in 1967 when Jack Gibson became coach. They also introduced a new emblem, the rooster, on their jerseys.
From 1972 to 1982, the Roosters won four minor premierships. They also played in four grand finals, winning two in a row. Coach Jack Gibson returned from 1974 to 1976. In 1974 and 1975, the team won 39 out of 44 matches. They won both minor premierships and both grand finals. They also set a record of 19 wins in a row. Their 38–0 grand final win in 1975 against St George was the biggest margin in a first-grade grand final for 33 years.
Between 1984 and 1995, the Roosters only reached the semi-finals once. They were sometimes called the "transit lounge" because so many players came and went. In 1987, under coach Arthur Beetson, they almost made the premiership. They lost a tough semi-final to Manly 10–6.
In the mid-1990s, the Roosters signed famous coach Phil Gould and star player Brad Fittler. This helped the team become strong again. Fittler was very important. With him, the Roosters played in four grand finals in five years. In 2002, they won their 12th premiership, their first in 27 years. They beat the New Zealand Warriors 30–8 in the 2002 NRL grand final.
In the 2003 NRL grand final, the Roosters lost 18–6 to the Penrith Panthers. A key moment was when Roosters winger Todd Byrne was tackled near the try line. In 2004, the Roosters made the Grand Final again. They lost 16–13 to the Bulldogs. This was captain Fittler's last game for the team.
In 2007, the Roosters became the first club to play 100 seasons of first-grade rugby league. They are the only team to have played in every season since 1908. Chris Anderson coached them in 2007 and 2008. On July 9, 2007, Anderson resigned after a big loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Assistant Coach Fittler took over for the rest of 2007 and then for two more years. In 2009, the Roosters had a tough season and finished last for the first time in 43 years. Fittler was replaced by veteran coach Brian Smith for 2010.
A year after finishing last, under Brian Smith, they reached the 2010 NRL Grand Final. They lost 32–8 to the St. George Illawarra Dragons. The Roosters were ahead 8–6 at halftime but were beaten in the second half.
The 2011 NRL season was also disappointing, with the Roosters finishing 11th. There were some off-field issues involving player Todd Carney. He was later let go by the club. Many other high-profile players also left the club at the end of the season.
The Roosters had a tough 2012 season, finishing 13th. Brian Smith resigned as coach. Captain Braith Anasta also left the club.
The 2013 season brought new staff and a new coach, Trent Robinson. Several new players joined, including Michael Jennings, James Maloney, and Sonny Bill Williams. The Roosters finished the 2013 season by winning the Minor Premiership. They were the best attacking and defensive team in the NRL. They beat the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 4–0 in the finals. Then they defeated the Newcastle Knights 40–14 to reach the 2013 NRL grand final. They faced the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles again and won 26–18. The Roosters made a great comeback, scoring three tries in a row to win their 13th premiership. They then won the 2014 World Club Challenge against Wigan 36–14.
In the 2014 season, the club finished first and won the Minor Premiership again. In the Preliminary Final, they lost to their rivals Souths 32–22. This was retiring legend Anthony Minichiello's last game. In the 2015 season, Sydney finished first again, claiming their third Minor Premiership in a row. The Roosters made the Preliminary Final but lost to Brisbane 31–12.
In the 2016 season, the Roosters finished 15th. This was a difficult season with a star player suspended after a pre-season incident. The club also had many injuries to key players like Boyd Cordner and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
The Roosters finished 2nd in the 2017 season. They beat Brisbane in the first week of the finals. In the Preliminary Final, they played North Queensland, who had finished 8th. North Queensland surprised everyone by winning 29–16.
In 2018, the Sydney Roosters finished first in the regular season, winning their 20th Minor Premiership. They beat Cronulla-Sutherland 21–12 in the first week of the finals.
In March 2018, the NRL announced that the club would have a team in the first NRL Women's competition. This made Eastern Suburbs the only club with founding teams in both the men's and women's leagues. The women's team finished second but lost the Grand Final to the Brisbane Broncos.
The men's team then broke their preliminary final losing streak. They beat rivals South Sydney 12–4 in the last sports match ever played at the Sydney Football Stadium. They stopped Souths from scoring any tries. A record crowd of 44,380 people attended. The Roosters played Melbourne in the 2018 NRL Grand Final and won 21–6, claiming their 14th premiership.
The Roosters started the 2019 NRL season with a loss to Souths. But then they won eight games in a row. They beat Melbourne 21–20 in a grand final rematch. They also had big wins over Brisbane 36–4 and Wests 42–12.
Midway through the 2019 NRL season, Sydney's form dipped during the 2019 State of Origin series. But they recovered, winning 7 of their last 8 matches. They finished 2nd behind Melbourne. The Roosters defeated rivals South Sydney and Melbourne to reach the 2019 NRL Grand Final. In the grand final, Sydney won their second premiership in a row. They had a tough victory against Canberra at ANZ Stadium. This was the first time a team had won back-to-back premierships in a unified competition since Brisbane in 1992 and 1993.
The club started the 2020 NRL season as one of the top teams. They lost their first two games before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. After play resumed, the club won five matches in a row. They only lost three matches between round 8 and round 20.
The Roosters finished the season in 4th place and made the finals. In the first week, they lost to Penrith. This meant they had to play an elimination final against Canberra. The Roosters' goal of a third straight premiership ended as they lost to Canberra 22–18.
The club began the 2021 NRL season as a strong contender. In the first two rounds, they beat Manly and the Wests Tigers by 40 points each. However, throughout the season, the club faced many injuries. Key players like Jake Friend, Boyd Cordner, and Brett Morris retired or had season-ending injuries. Other important players also got injured or suspended. The Roosters had to use many new players from their junior teams.
The Roosters finished the 2021 NRL season in fifth place and made the finals. In the first week, they beat the Gold Coast 25–24. The next week, their season ended after losing 42–6 to Manly. In the 2022 NRL season, the club finished sixth. They won eight straight matches late in the season but were knocked out in the first week of the finals. The Sydney Roosters were expected to do well in the 2023 NRL season. But by round 20, they were 14th. The team then won their last five matches of the season. They beat Manly, the Dolphins, Parramatta, Wests Tigers, and South Sydney. This helped them finish 7th. In the first week of the finals, they beat Cronulla. They then played Melbourne. Melbourne won 18–13 with a late try. In the 2024 NRL season, the club finished third and made the preliminary final. They were beaten by Melbourne 48-18.
Team Emblem and Colours
Eastern Suburbs did not always have a crest on their jerseys. In 1967, the club introduced its first logo. It said "Easts to Win" and featured a rooster. Some believe the rooster was chosen because the French national team, which inspired the Roosters' jersey, also used a rooster as their mascot.
In 1978, the logo changed to just say "Eastern Suburbs". This name was used until 1994. Then, the club changed its name to the "Sydney City Roosters" to attract more fans. In 2000, they shortened it to the "Sydney Roosters".
Even though the marketing names have changed, the club is still officially known as the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club. This is the name registered with the National Rugby League.
- Sydney Roosters - Logos
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1967
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1967- 1977
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1978-1994
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1995-1999
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2000-Present
Red, white, and blue have always been the team's colours. The jersey design has changed over time. During World War II, the design was different because dye was needed for the war. The team wore a sky-blue jersey with a red and white V-strip. This is the only time the traditional deep blue was not on the jersey. After the war, the V-strip went back to blue. The current design, with a white stripe surrounded by red stripes, appeared in the 1950s.
- Sydney Roosters - Primary Jerseys
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1908–1913
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1914–1943, 1947–1953
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1944–1946
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1954–1974
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1975–1991
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1992–2007
Team Rivals
The Roosters have several rivals in the NRL. Their main rival is the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Other major rivals include:
- St. George Illawarra Dragons (they play each other on Anzac Day)
- Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
- Melbourne Storm
Minor rivals include:
- Penrith Panthers
- Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
- Brisbane Broncos
- Parramatta Eels
- Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Home Stadiums
From 1908 to 1910, the Roosters often played at the Royal Agricultural Ground. From 1911, they played most of their home games at the Sydney Sports Ground. This stadium was torn down in 1986 to build the Sydney Football Stadium. In 1987, games were temporarily moved to Henson Park. The team did well that year, finishing second.
In 1988, the club moved to the new Sydney Football Stadium. Their first game there was a 24–14 loss to the St George Dragons. The Roosters have a good win record at this stadium.
The Roosters played their last game at the old Sydney Football Stadium on September 22, 2018. It was a Preliminary Final against South Sydney. A record crowd of 44,380 people attended. In 2019, the Sydney Roosters played their home games at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This was while the new Sydney Football Stadium (2022) was being built.
Supporters and Club Area
The Roosters traditionally represent the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. This area includes places like Paddington, Woollahra, and Bondi. Over time, the team's fan base has grown beyond this traditional area.
The Eastern Suburbs is known for being an affluent area. Because of this, the Roosters' fans are often seen as wealthy. However, like other Rugby League clubs, the team was originally formed by players from working-class backgrounds.
In 2013, the club had the fourth-highest home attendance in the NRL. They averaged 19,368 fans at the Sydney Football Stadium. After the new Sydney Football Stadium opened in 2022, the Roosters had the third-highest average home attendance in the NRL in 2023. They averaged 22,898 fans, the most outside of Queensland. In 2024, they again had the third-highest average attendance, with 23,364 fans.
At their home ground, the Sydney Football Stadium, fans gather in special sections. The "Chook Pen" is for the most excited fans. Members of the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust sit in the Members Pavilion. Season ticket holders have seats in other specific bays.
In 2023, the Roosters had over 20,072 paying members. This ranked them fifth among Sydney's nine teams. The Easts Leagues Club also has 46,486 members. The Leagues Club helps fund the football club when needed.
Famous Supporters
Many famous people support the Sydney Roosters. Here are some of them:
- Doug Bollinger (cricketer)
- Mark Bouris (businessman)
- Guillaume Brahimi (chef)
- Daryl Braithwaite (singer)
- Scott Cam (television host)
- Bob Carr (former Premier of New South Wales)
- Harry Connick Jr. (American singer and actor)
- General Sir Peter Cosgrove (former Governor-General of Australia)
- George Donikian (news presenter)
- Isaac Heeney (AFL Player)
- Wim Hof (Dutch extreme athlete)
- Hulk Hogan (retired American professional wrestler)
- Amanda Keller (media personality)
- Nick Kyrgios (Australian Professional Tennis Player)
- Steve Smith (former captain of the Australia cricket team)
- Malcolm Turnbull (former Prime Minister of Australia)
- David Warner (former vice captain of the Australia cricket team)
Team Records and Statistics
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves holds the record for the most first-grade games played for the Roosters, with 310 matches. He passed Mitchell Aubusson's record in 2024. Former captain Craig Fitzgibbon holds the club record for most points scored, with 1,376 points in 210 matches.
Dave Brown scored 45 points in one game against Canterbury in 1935. This is still a competition record. Ivan Cleary scored 284 points in 1998, which was a record for points in a season at the time.
Bill Mullins scored 104 tries in his 11-year career with Eastern Suburbs. Anthony Minichiello became the highest try scorer in Roosters history in 2011. He ended his career in 2014 with 139 tries. He was also the first fullback in 70 years to captain a Grand Final-winning team (in 2013). Rod O'Loan scored seven tries in one game in 1935. Dave Brown's 38 tries in 15 games in the same year is still a competition record.
In 1975, the Eastern Suburbs Roosters set a record of 19 consecutive wins. This helped them win their 11th premiership. In a 1935 game against Canterbury, Dave Brown's 45 points led to an 87–7 victory. This is the club's highest score and biggest winning margin.
The club's record attendance for a regular season game at the Sydney Football Stadium is 40,864. This happened on ANZAC Day in 2017 against the St George Illawarra Dragons. The record attendance at the SCG is 50,130, from a game against Manly Sea Eagles in 1974.
The 2000 grand final between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos had 94,277 spectators at the Olympic Stadium.
Team Squads
Team of the Century
In 2000, the Sydney Roosters named their "Team of the Century". This team included players from 1908 to 2000.
| First team squad | Coaching staff | ||||||||
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Head coach
Updated: 22 October 2011 |
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The Centurions
In 2007, the Sydney Roosters announced "The Centurions". This team included players who played 100 or more games for the club between 1908 and 2007.
| First team squad | Coaching staff | ||||||||
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Head coach
Updated: 22 October 2011 |
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Club Honours and Titles
The Sydney Roosters have won many titles throughout their history:
Major Titles
- Premierships – 15
- 1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1945, 1974, 1975, 2002, 2013, 2018, 2019
- Runners-up – 15
- 1908, 1919, 1921, 1928, 1931, 1934, 1938, 1941, 1960, 1972, 1980, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2010
- Minor Premierships – 20
- 1912, 1913, 1923, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018
- World Club Challenge – 5
- 1976, 2003, 2014, 2019, 2020
- Amco Cup – 2
- 1975, 1978
- City Cup – 3
- 1914, 1915, 1916
- Auckland Nines – 1
- 2017
- World Sevens – 1
- 1993
Youth and Pre-season Titles
- Club Championship – 12
- 1930, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1945, 1970, 1974, 1975, 2004, 2006
- Second Grade – 9
- 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1935, 1937, 1949, 1986, 2004
- Third Grade/Under 23 – 11
- 1914, 1917, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1941, 1947, 1970, 1976
- Preseason Cup – 4
- 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981
- Under-20s Competition – 1
- 2016
- Jersey Flegg Cup – 3
- 1995, 2002, 2004
- Presidents Cup – 16
- 1910, 1911, 1913, 1915, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1938, 1948, 1949, 1955, 1978, 1993
- S. G. Ball Cup – 4
- 1997, 2008, 2010, 2014 , 2025
Women's Team
On March 27, 2018, the Sydney Roosters were approved to have a team in the first 2018 NRL Women's season. Adam Hartigan was named the coach.
In June 2018, the club signed many top players for the new season. These included Karina Brown, Isabelle Kelly, and Ruan Sims.
The team finished as runners-up in the first NRL Women's Premiership. They lost to the Brisbane Broncos 34–12 in the Grand Final. Zahara Temara won the Player of the Season award in 2018.
In 2019, Rick Stone became the coach. However, the team did not win any matches and finished last. Tallisha Harden was named the club's Best & Fairest Player for 2019.
Jamie Feeney was appointed head coach for the 2020 season. He wanted to improve the team's performance. He was helped by Kylie Hilder and John Strange. Feeney immediately made Corban McGregor the new captain. The club also signed famous Rugby Sevens star Charlotte Caslick.
See also
In Spanish: Sydney Roosters para niños
