For any athlete, a dreaded ACL tear is a daunting prospect.
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For Tarryn Aiken, the ACL injury came on the eve of the 2025 NRLW finals, where she could do nothing but look on as the Roosters ultimately went down by four points to the Broncos in a brutal Grand Final loss.
“It was definitely tough (being on the sideline) for Grand Final day, and the team were going through the wars out there!” Aiken said.
“I think there was, at one point, three different people down injured. It was even harder to watch, with all the resilience they showed that day, while I sort of felt helpless not being out there with them.”
Throw in a missed 2026 Origin campaign, where Aiken also watched on as her Maroons teammates lost the series, and you get the sense the talented halfback is ready to make up for lost time.
“I feel like it all just lights a fire in your belly to come back and be better. To come back and do your job for the team,” she said.
Aiken doesn’t shy away from the seriousness of the injury; a fateful, and innocuous sidestep against the Sharks in round 11 that derailed her season. But Aiken also explained how she found strong support at the Roosters, a club known to lure big names and in the NRLW — keep them.
“Yeah, it was definitely the hardest part of my career so far,” she said.
“There’s a lot of uncertainty when you do your knee, around how the surgery will go, and how you’ll recover. You wonder if you’ll ever get back on the field in general, and then wonder how you’ll play when you come back.
“I went into full time rehab mode to be back for the start of this season, leaning on the Roosters high performance and video staff, they were great. I think the opportunity to have the full time physio at the Roosters definitely helps.”
Tarryn Aiken is assisted from the field. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Aiken found she didn’t have to look far for some inspiration when it comes to making a successful comeback from an ACL injury.
“Obviously seeing Sam Walker going through it at the club, that was interesting to see from afar. I’ve been watching how he came back, and how he looked like he hadn’t missed a beat in how he has played since,” she said.
“We also had Tania (Naividi), who did her ACL on the captain’s run before the Grand Final, so I feel like her and I were on the recovery journey together this year.”
For a player that has already won the Golden Boot award, and multiple Premierships, Aiken still sees more joy to come in playing alongside her star Roosters teammates, who she said have built a strong bond at the club.
“I think they’re all world class players,” she said.
“We’ve got the two best centres in the competition, and then, Liv (Kernick) who has been, one of the best players, if not the best in the last couple of years. They definitely make my job a lot easier, but also make it really enjoyable to play as well.”
Jocelyn Kelleher, who has one of the best towering bombs in the NRLW, also impresses her halves partner.
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“I think her kicking game has come a long way, and I think that was really unreal in the origin series,” Aiken said.
The impressive Chooks’ lineup remains this year’s premiership favourite in the NRLW, and Aiken said the winning culture and bond between players is addictive at the Roosters and a massive drawcard in the game.
“I think the culture goes a long way, the club goes a long way, winning 40 games and the club’s done a really good job with our program. It’s probably why a lot of people have stayed loyal as well to the club, and want to be here and want to play for the Roosters,” she said.
“We’ve had a core group of players together the last few years, so it feels like family here now. We are getting to watch our teammates’ kids grow up. Having Gigi (Mille Elliott’s baby) around, it’s really special. Everyone lights up when Gigi’s around at training.”
Tarryn Aiken is back. Picture Warren Gannon Photography Newscorp AustraliaSource: News Corp Australia
Aiken will take on the new look Gold Coast Titans in her round one return, where the Roosters rugby recruit will take on star Rugby sevens player, Teagan Levi.
“I’m not too sure what to expect to be honest. It’s always a tough battle when we come up against the Titans,” she said.
“We’ve got our own sevens recruit, Sariah Paki, playing as well. I think they’ll line up against each other, actually, Tegan and Sah, so it’ll be a good battle between them two, which will be great to see.”
The first step in a season awaits Aiken, and should her and the Roosters make amends for last year’s Grand Final, she believes it will rival her best moments in her career to date.
“Every year sort of special in its own way, to come back and maybe finish that way this year, would be awesome,” she added.