It may not have been the ending that the Sydney Roosters were hoping for this season, but coach Trent Robinson insists better things will come to the club in the new year.
A battle to book a spot in the finals was followed by a first-week loss to the Cronulla Sharks, which confirmed an overall finish in eighth place for the Tricolours.
Robinson’s new-look squad was put to the test this season as several inexperienced stars were left to fill the void of key players who departed the club in the off-season.
THE MOLE: ‘Horrendous’ stat reveals depths of Bunnies’ woes
READ MORE: Great warns of looming challenge Ange must face
READ MORE: ‘Completely honest’ reason for star’s slump revealed
But the club’s new blood did not waste their chances to make a mark in the top flight.
Just one of their opening five games ended in victory, but a rapid turnaround in the latter stage of the season saw the club battle back into a finals spot.
Hugo Savala, Robert Toia and Mark Nawaqanitawase were just some of the influential players who stepped up in those vital games, and Robinson has insisted better things are still to come for the club.
Mark Nawaqanitawase of the Roosters celebrates with teammates after scoring a try. Getty
“I think the way we went about playing, we weren’t in a rush this year to sort of find our identity about who we’re going to be,” he said.
“You can talk about it but you can’t force it. You have to live it and play it. The boys did that.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
“It’s a real credit to them the way they themselves as a team. They represented us in the way that the club went about going throughout the season and I feel like we re-established some really key things that will make you a great team.
“There are some bits there to finish off obviously, but there’s a pretty good platform for some team that you want to be.”
He also said that while this year can be considered a success, the ultimate test for the Roosters will be whether the side can win the competition.
“The thing is, it’s not about making finals. I said ‘you’re either winning a premiership or you don’t,” the Roosters coach said, reflecting on the club’s season.
“There’s not a reward for fourth, seventh, ninth or eleventh … that’s not how the game (works). We judge (our success) based on (everything). We like to see a ladder and all of that.
“Are you seeing things that you want to see that are heading towards a premiership? And if you are, that was a success. I saw us heading towards a better team than we’ve been in years because of where we focused our energy.
“We’re heading in the right direction.
“In the end, you either win the premiership or you don’t.”