Sydney Roosters 424878 224988501 2008-07-11T09:48:01Z Smokestack13 4861043 {{Infobox rugby league club | clubname = Sydney Roosters | image = [[Image:Sydney Roosters 2008.png]] | fullname = Eastern Suburbs District<br/>Rugby League Football Club | nickname = The Chooks, Tri Colours | short name = Easts, Eastern Suburbs | founded = 1908 as ''Eastern Suburbs'' | ground = [[Sydney Football Stadium]]<br/>[[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]], [[Sydney]] | capacity = 45,500<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.scgt.nsw.gov.au/News.aspx?PageID=7&id=1602 |title= Aussie's facilities & atmosphere reach new heights|publisher=Sydney Cricket Ground| date=[[2007-03-07]]|accessdate=2007-04-19}}</ref> | ceo = {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Brian Canavan]] | coach = {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Brad Fittler]] | captain = {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Craig Fitzgibbon]], [[Braith Anasta]] | league = [[National Rugby League]] | season = [[National Rugby League season 2008|2008]] | position = National Rugby League, 1st | premierships = 12 | premiershipyears = 1911, 1912, 1913, 1923, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1945, 1974, 1975, 2002 | runnerups = 14 | runnerupyears = 1908, 1919, 1921, 1928, 1931, 1934, 1938, 1941, 1960, 1972, 1980, 2000, 2003, 2004 | minorpremierships = 16 | minorpremiershipyears = 1912, 1913, 1923, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 2004 | current = Sydney Roosters season 2008 | homejersey = Eastern Suburbs home jersey 1953.svg | awayjersey = Eastern Suburbs home jersey 1914.svg }} The '''Sydney Roosters''' are a professional [[rugby league]] [[football team|club]] based in the [[Eastern Suburbs (Sydney)|Eastern Suburbs]] of [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]. They play in the [[National Rugby League]] and are one of the most successful clubs in [[Rugby league in Australia|Australian rugby league]], having won twelve [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership|New South Wales Rugby League]] and National Rugby League titles. The side holds the longest winning streak (nineteen) and the second largest margin of victory (87&ndash;7) in league history. The club was founded in 1908 in [[Paddington, New South Wales|Paddington]], Sydney, under the name "'''Eastern Suburbs'''"; in 1994, the name was changed to the "'''Sydney City Roosters'''", and in 2000 to just the "Sydney Roosters". The [[Bondi Junction, New South Wales|Bondi Junction]] and [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]] based Roosters have a long-standing and fierce rivalry with the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] from [[Redfern, New South Wales|Redfern]], a fellow foundation club in the National Rugby League,<ref>In Australia, a foundation club is one that played in the first season of a competition. Eastern Suburbs played in the first season of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership, the predecessor to the National Rugby League competition.</ref> although the Roosters are the only team to have played in every season. ==History== {{details|History of the Sydney Roosters}} [[Image:Dally Messenger in action.jpg|150px|thumb|left|Dally Messenger, one of the club's first players.]] Eastern Suburbs Rugby League Football Club was formed on [[24 January]] [[1908]]<ref name="rl1908"> at a meeting at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, [http://www.rl1908.com/Clubs/Sydney-Roosters.htm Sydney Roosters (Eastern Suburbs)] ''RL1908.com.'' Retrieved on [[15 August]] [[2006]].</ref> after it was decided that the area would enter a team in the newly formed [[New South Wales Rugby League]]. Eastern Suburbs were unofficially nicknamed the "Tricolours" due to the club's red, white and blue playing strip. The club won their first match, downing [[Newtown Jets|Newtown]] [[32&ndash;16 (Eastern Suburbs first match)|32&ndash;16]] at [[Wentworth Park|Wentworth Oval]] on [[20 April]] [[1908]]. Between 1911 and 1913, the Eastern Suburbs became the first team to win three consecutive [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership|premierships]];<ref name="history1">[http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/yourroosters/roosters1908to2005.php Club History] ''Sydney Roosters Rugby League 2006.'' Retrieved on [[8 October]] [[2006]].</ref><ref name="rl1908"> the lineups during this feat included league greats such as [[Dally Messenger]], [[Jersey Flegg|Harry "Jersey" Flegg]] and [[Sandy Pearce]].<ref name="rl1908"/> However, the team missed the premiership for the next nine seasons. From 1926 to 1942, the club missed the finals just three times, won the premiership four times, and won the [[minor premiership]] seven times.<ref name="season">[http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/easts/easts_ss.html Rugby League Tables / Season Summary / Easts] ''Rugby League Tables & Statistics'' Retrieved on [[13 August]] [[2006]].</ref> During this period, [[Dave Brown (rugby league footballer Easts)|Dave Brown]] set several point-scoring records that remain unbroken. In 1935, the team lost just one game, and set the highest winning margin in the club's history, an 87&ndash;7 (106&ndash;8 in modern scoring) victory over [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Canterbury]].<ref>[http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/easts/easts_gr.html Rugby League Tables / Regular Season / All Teams] ''Rugby League Tables & Statistics'' Retrieved on [[6 October]] [[2006]].</ref> In 1936, the club became one of only five teams in premiership history to remain undefeated for an entire season,<ref>[http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/all/overall_sr.html Rugby League Tables / Game Records / Easts] ''Rugby League Tables & Statistics'' Retrieved on [[6 October]] [[2006]].</ref> a feat they repeated the following season, becoming the only team so far to remain unbeaten two seasons in a row. Despite claiming the [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership|premiership]] in 1945, Eastern Suburbs failed to make the [[Playoff#Playoffs in Australian rules football and Australian rugby league|finals]] for the following seven seasons. A [[runner-up|runners-up]] finish in 1960 was the closest the club came to claiming the premiership in this era. In 1966, the club was winless for the first time in club history; it was also the last instance in which the Roosters won the [[wooden spoon (award)|wooden spoon]]. The failures of the 1966 season prompted the club to introduce a logo to appear on all playing jerseys for the following year; the motto "Easts to Win" was featured on the crest depicting the club's new emblem, the [[rooster]]. From 1972 to 1982, the Roosters made the finals eight times, won four [[minor premiership]]s, and played in four Grand Finals. The coach of the team during this period was "Super Coach" [[Jack Gibson (rugby league)|Jack Gibson]],<ref>This reference to Jack Gibson as a "Super Coach" is quite common terminology in Australian rugby league circles, given Gibson's outstanding coaching record. For further information, see [[Australian Associated Press]]. [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/08/14/1060588510800.html?from=storyrhs Super coach Gibson salutes his favourite players] ''The Sydney Morning Herald.'' [[14 August]], [[2003]]. Retrieved on [[8 October]] [[2006]].</ref> who took charge in 1974. The Roosters teams of 1974 and 1975 are considered two of the greatest club sides in history; the lineups included [[Mark Harris (rugby league)|Mark Harris]], [[John Brass]], [[Bill Mullins]], [[Russell Fairfax]], [[Johnny Mayes]], [[John Peard]], [[Ron Coote]], [[Ian Schubert]] and captain [[Arthur Beetson]].<ref name="rl1908">[http://www.rl1908.com/Clubs/Sydney-Roosters.htm Sydney Roosters (Eastern Suburbs)] ''RL1908.com.'' Retrieved on [[15 August]] [[2006]].</ref> During this period, the team won 39 of 44 matches, both minor premierships, both Grand Finals and set a premiership record nineteen-game winning streak. The 1975 winning Grand Final scoreline of 38&ndash;0 against the [[St George Dragons]] remains the largest margin in a First Grade Grand Final. During the mid 1980s to early 1990s, the Roosters reached the semi-finals only once in a period known to supporters as the "Transit Lounge" era.<ref name="history1" /> Despite the performance slump, home crowd attendance multiplied from 3,389 in 1984 to 17,060 in 1996, when the side first made the finals in over a decade. This included a club record attendance of 37,981 on [[22 July]], [[1996]].<ref name="attendance">[http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/easts.html Rugby League Tables / Attendances Easts] ''Rugby League Tables & Statistics.'' Retrieved on [[5 October]] [[2006]].</ref> With the [[Super League (Australia)|Super League]] war building up in the mid 1990s, the Roosters recruited high profile coach [[Phil Gould]] and star five-eighth [[Brad Fittler]], both from the [[Penrith Panthers]],<ref name="rl1908">[http://www.rl1908.com/Clubs/Sydney-Roosters.htm Sydney Roosters (Eastern Suburbs)] ''RL1908.com.'' Retrieved on [[15 August]] [[2006]].</ref> instantly sending the Roosters back up to the top end of the premiership ladder. Fittler's presence proved invaluable; during his reign the Roosters competed in four Grand Finals in five years. In 2002, the club finally captured their 12th premiership (and their first in 27 years) after defeating minor premiers the [[New Zealand Warriors]] 30&ndash;8 in the Grand Final. Led under coach [[Ricky Stuart]], the team recovered from a devastating injury toll early in the season totaling seventeen players to come back and place fourth on the regular season ladder. [[Image:Manlyroosters.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Sydney Roosters in action against the Manly Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval in June 2008]] In the 2003 Grand Final against the [[Penrith Panthers]], the Roosters lost in a famous game where Roosters winger [[Todd Byrne]] was chased down and put into touch by Penrith lock forward [[Scott Sattler]] having made a clear break down the sideline midway through the second half. This chance to break the 6&ndash;6 deadlock was the decisive moment of the match; Penrith won 18&ndash;6<ref>Brown, Alex, Brown, Malcolm and Maley, Jacqueline. [http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/05/1065292479504.html?from=storyrhs Fairytale of the year: Panthers pluck Roosters] ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' [[6 October]], [[2003]]. Retrieved on [[4 November]] [[2006]].</ref> in the Roosters' largest losing margin of the year. Their latest grand final appearance was in 2004, when they were defeated by the [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Bulldogs]] 16&ndash;13 having led 13&ndash;6 at halftime. The match was captain [[Brad Fittler]]'s last for the team. The Sydney Roosters played their 100th season of first grade in 2007, becoming the first club to do so since the competition's inception in 1908. The club appointed [[Chris Anderson]] as coach for 2007 and 2008 following two relatively unsuccessful years with coach [[Ricky Stuart]] in charge.<ref>Walter, Brad. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/a-sticky-end-for-ricky/2006/08/28/1156617274414.html A sticky end for Ricky] ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' [[29 August]], [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[4 November]] [[2006]].</ref> On [[9 July]], [[2007]], Chris Anderson stepped down from his position as the club's head coach after a 56&ndash;0 loss to the [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]]. Brad Fittler assumed the post of caretaker coach for the remainder of the 2007 season, before being signed on at the end of the year as the team's permanent coach. So far Fittler has been in charge of the roosters for 23 games. Under him the roosters have won 16 games, lost 6 and drawn 1. ==Crest== [[Image:Roosters 1967.png|thumb|146px|The original Eastern Suburbs logo, featuring a rooster with the words "Easts to Win" underneath.]] Like other clubs, Eastern Suburbs did not traditionally sport a crest on their jerseys in the first half of the 20th century. Other clubs occasionally sported simple designs on their strip; however, this was not seen consistently on all jerseys until the 1950s and 1960s. In 1967, the club introduced the first logo, displaying the motto "Easts to Win", following a winless season. The crest also incorporated a [[rooster]] in the design; one source suggested that this choice of mascot followed after the Roosters changed their jersey design to suit the [[France national rugby league team|French team's]] jersey.<ref>Fagan, Sean. [http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/100years/news.php?article_id=41 Origin of the Rooster and club colours] ''Sydney Roosters minisite.'' [[31 July]], [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[10 August]] [[2006]].</ref> Given that the French team's mascot was affectionately known to supporters as "le coq", the rooster, connections have been made as to the choosing of a rooster for Eastern Suburbs' mascot. In 1978, the motto was replaced with the team's name, "Eastern Suburbs". This design was kept until 1994 when the club changed its playing name to the "Sydney City Roosters" for the start of the 1995 season to expand the club's widening fan base. This also prompted a change in logo design to an image of a rooster against the backdrop of the [[Sydney Harbour Bridge]]. In 2000, the club changed its name to the "Sydney Roosters" and introduced a new logo. Although marketing names have changed, the Roosters are still registered with the National Rugby League competition as the Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club.<ref>Bryce, Shannon. [http://www.rleague.com/db/club/sydney_roosters/history.php Sydney Roosters History] ''The World of Rugby League'' Retrieved on [[10 July]] [[2006]].</ref> ==Colours== <br clear=all> <gallery caption="Main home jerseys" align="right"> Image:Eastern Suburbs home jersey 1908.svg|1908-1913 Image:Eastern Suburbs home jersey 1914.svg|1914-1938, 1946-1952, 2006- Image:Eastern Suburbs home jersey 1939.svg|1939-1945 Image:Eastern Suburbs home jersey 1953.svg|1953- </gallery> Red, white and blue<ref>Fagan, Sean. [http://www.rl1908.com/clubcomps/origins.htm Club Histories - New Speculations] ''Rl1908.com.'' Retrieved on [[4 November]] [[2006]].</ref> have been the colours of every jersey design in the club's history; however, the jersey design has undergone several alterations. The jersey worn in the first premiership season consisted of several hoops, with red stripes dominating over consecutive smaller white and blue stripes. Although the width and the order of these stripes have changed, the basic design has always been maintained. During [[World War II]], the design of the jersey was modified because the dye used to colour jerseys was needed for the war effort.<ref>[http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/jersey_comp.php 100 Year Celebration - Jersey Competition] ''Sydney Roosters Rugby League 2006.'' Retrieved on [[10 August]] [[2006]].</ref> This saw Eastern Suburbs playing in different colours and an altered design. Instead of using the traditional hoops, the side used a sky blue-based jersey and a red and white V-strip around the collar. This is the only noted time in the club's history where the traditional deep blue, red and white combination was absent from the jersey. After the war, the V-strip design was reverted back to the original blue that had been present in the original jerseys, and the single red and white stripes around the shirt's chest were incorporated with a single white stripe surrounded by a red stripe on either side. This jersey appeared in the 1950s, and remains the team's base design. Facing design clashes with other teams in the 1990s, the club adopted a jersey with a similar design to what became known as the "away jersey", replacing the blue backing with white, and the outer red stripe with blue. As the club entered the new century, the team began to wear a "foundation jersey". Although the design differs slightly from the jersey worn in the inaugural 1908 season, it did feature the traditional horizontal striped-design. This jersey is normally worn when the Sydney Roosters face traditional rivals, such as the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]], or on special occasions like [[Anzac Day]] when the team faces the [[St George Illawarra Dragons]], the product of a team partly formed by the [[St. George Dragons]]. In October 2006, the club announced that a slightly modified version of the original playing jersey from the 1908 jersey would be worn on several occasions in 2007 to honour the club's 100th season in top-grade professional rugby league.<ref>[http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/latestnews.php?ArticleID=2178 Roosters 100 Years Jersey Unveiled] ''Sydney Roosters Rugby League 2006.'' [[25 October]], [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[4 November]] [[2006]].</ref> On April 25 2008, the Roosters wore a replica of the sky blue jersey worn during World War II in their traditional ANZAC Day clash against the [[St George Illawarra Dragons]] at [[Stadium Australia|ANZ Stadium]]. ==Stadium== [[Image:Sydneysportsground1.jpg|thumb|250px|General view of the former [[Sydney Sports Ground]], [[Moore Park, New South Wales|Moore Park]].]] Early in Eastern Suburbs' history, "home games" were often played at neutral venues in lieu of team stadiums. However, most sources suggest that the [[Sydney Showground|Royal Agricultural Ground]] was often used as a home venue between 1908 and 1910, before the club hosted matches at the [[Sydney Sports Ground]] from 1911 onwards.<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/nb/coop/bryce/records.html The Australian Rugby League records] ''Co-op'' Retrieved on [[6 October]] [[2006]].</ref><ref>[http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/100years/timeline_iframe.php Timeline] ''Sydney Roosters minisite'' Retrieved on [[6 October]] [[2006]].</ref> It was here that the team played all of their homes games up until 1986, when the ground was demolished with the Sydney Cricket Ground No. 2 to make way for Sydney's main rectangular field, the [[Sydney Football Stadium]].<ref>[http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/australia/content/ground/56546.html Sydney Cricket Ground No. 2] ''Cricinfo'' Retrieved on [[6 October]] [[2006]].</ref> In 1987, games were moved away to the [[Newtown Jets]]' home ground, [[Henson Park]] temporarily to await the completion of the Sydney Football Stadium. The team capitalised on this move, finishing second in the regular season. It was the also the only time between 1983 and 1995 that the side reached the finals.<ref name="season">[http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/teams/easts/easts_ss.html Rugby League Tables / Season Summary / Easts] ''Rugby League Tables & Statistics'' Retrieved on [[6 October]] [[2006]].</ref> [[Image:Aussie Stadium.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The [[Sydney Football Stadium]] as it appears whilst hosting a [[National Rugby League]] finals match.]] In 1988, the side moved to the newly created Sydney Football Stadium, opening the season with a 24–14 defeat at the hands of the Dragons in front of 19,295 on [[4 March]] [[1988]]. The club shared the ground with the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] between 1988 and 1999, and again between 2002 and 2005 after the Rabbitohs were reinstated into the competition. The [[St George Illawarra Dragons|St. George Illawarra Dragons]] also play several home matches at the stadium, with games allocated to the [[St. George Dragons]] half of the merger played at the Sydney Football Stadium between 2000 and 2002 as well. From 2006 onwards, the Roosters are the sole National Rugby League club to play games at the Sydney Football Stadium and its previous incarnations. The ground is used by the National Rugby League to host several finals matches at the end of the year, including one of the Preliminary Finals. One benefit to the Roosters is that, although not officially allocated the ground as hosts, the team has attracted a stronger support than interstate teams such as the [[Brisbane Broncos]]. Of the four Grand Finals that the Sydney Roosters made between 2000 and 2004, three of them were made after winning their respective Preliminary Finals out of the Sydney Football Stadium. {{-}} ==Supporters== [[Image:Brian the Rooster on the SMH.png|thumb|250px|Well-known fan, "Brian the Rooster", on the cover of [[The Sydney Morning Herald]]]] The Sydney Roosters have a large support base across Australia in [[South East Queensland]], [[Canberra]] and [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], and its traditional location in Sydney.<ref>[http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/fans/roostersaustraliawide.php Roosters Australia Wide] ''Sydney Roosters Rugby League 2006.'' Retrieved on [[9 August]] [[2006]].</ref> Moreover, the Sydney Roosters have two popular internet forums for supporters: "The Wall", the official message board in operation since 1999; and the unofficial "The People's Wall". In 2004, the club tallied the second highest home crowd attendance (behind the [[Brisbane Broncos]]) with an average attendance of 18,514 at the [[Sydney Football Stadium]],<ref name="attendance">[http://www.stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/easts.html Rugby League Tables / Attendances Easts] ''Rugby League Tables & Statistics.'' Retrieved on [[5 October]] [[2006]].</ref> compared with an average attendance of 3,389 in 1984. However, a drop of 25.2% in crowd figures from 2005 to 2006 led the news agency [[Australian Associated Press]] to state "crowd figures suggest many Sydney Roosters fans have been fair-weather friends."<ref>[[Australian Associated Press]]. [http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/tigers-supporters-loyal-roosters-fans-lose-faith/2006/07/28/1153816383998.html Tigers supporters stay loyal as Roosters fans lose faith] ''The Sydney Morning Herald.'' [[29 July]], [[2006]]. Retrieved on [[5 October]] [[2006]].</ref> Nevertheless, despite finishing second to last in 2006, the Roosters attracted the ninth highest home crowd average. At the Sydney Football Stadium, the official supporter base is divided into three prominent sections. The "Chook Pen", a designated area in Bay 36, is considered to be the location where the most passionate fans sit during matches. {{Fact|date=July 2007}} Located in the membership stands are stadium members who watch the game from the top tier of the stadium's western side from Bays 12–14. The Kevin Hastings Stand is an alcohol-free designated area for families.<!--this paragraph is a little confusing--> Amid declining crowd numbers in 2007, the Sydney Roosters implemented a marketing campaign designed to recruit members to the football club. As at 25 February 2008, the Roosters currently have 4880 members.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=''Sydney Roosters''|title=120 to go! |url=http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/news.php?ArticleID=3045 |accessdate=2008-02-27|date=[[2008-02-25]]}}</ref> ==Rivalries== ===South Sydney Rabbitohs=== The Sydney Roosters most fiercest rival is its fellow foundation club member, the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]]. Both teams have shared inner-Sydney territory for over 100 years and during that time both have came to numerous altercations. Fans of both teams appear to share general dislike for each other, with fans clashing at games and also celebrity supporters such as South Sydney's [[Andrew Denton]] and [[Russell Crowe]] publically criticising the Roosters. {{details|Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs rivalry}} ===The Bulldogs=== The Sydney Roosters have a long-standing rivalry with fellow Sydney team, the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury Bulldogs]] (also known as just the Bulldogs). Whilst both teams had crossed premiership paths in Grand Finals four previous times before, the most significant chapter came when the Sydney Roosters won the 2002 NRL Premiership on the back of a 10 game winning streak. This was the same year the premiership favourite Bulldogs were stripped of 37 points due to systematic breaches of the salary cap in the [[National Rugby League season 2001|2001]] and the [[National Rugby League season 2002|2002]] seasons.<ref>[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/08/16/1029114015250.html Secret Bulldog Business] ''The Sydney Morning Herald.'' [[August 17]] [[2002]]. Retrieved on [[13 August]] [[2006]].</ref> The following year, the Bulldogs prevailed in both regular season matchups with the Roosters; however, the Sydney Roosters retaliated by defeating the Bulldogs 28–18 in the Grand Final qualifier. In 2004, both teams met up in the Grand Final itself; the Bulldogs prevailed as premiers 16–13. After the 2004 Grand Final the rivalry between both teams settled down. However since 2006, the rivalry has once again re-ignited with players and officials from both clubs trading blows against each other. The Roosters in this time have acquired four of the Bulldogs first grade players; [[Braith Anasta]] (2006), [[Nate Myles]] (2007), [[Mark O'Meley]] (2008) and [[Willie Mason]] (2008). All four have played representative rugby league and all except Nate Myles were apart of the 2004 Bulldogs premiership winning team. In leading up to their first game against each other in the 2008 season, the Bulldogs released a t-shirt with the label 'Bred not bought' with a cartoon depicting a Bulldogs attacking a Rooster. The t-shirt which was considered a taunt at the Roosters recruiting techniques and was subject to media scrutiny and led to Roosters great and former recruitment manager [[Arthur Beetson]] criticising the release of the t-shirt and also questioning the merits of the Bulldogs recruitment policies. The match itself, played in round 4 of the 2008 NRL season failed to live up to the hype that much of the media had placed on it. The Roosters were able to win comfortably 40-12, with former Bulldog Willie Mason featuring strongly scoring two tries. ===St George Illawarra Dragons=== The two sides' rivalry started back in 2001 when these two sides drew 20-all at [[WIN Stadium]] halfway through that season. Since 2002, the two sides have clashed on ANZAC Day, the Roosters winning the first ever match by 24-20. However the Dragons did win the 2003 ANZAC Day match by the same margin. 2004 saw an eventful 11-8 win to the Roosters before the Dragons won the next two clashes. In [[2007 NRL season results|2007]], the Roosters ended their worst ever start to a season by winning 18-4 - in the process notching up their 1000th win in their 100 year history. [[2008 NRL season results|This year]], the Roosters put in a shocker losing 26-6. The Roosters won the 1975 Grand Final by the biggest winning margin ever - 38-0 against St George (even though the scoreline was only 5-0 at halftime). ===Brisbane Broncos=== The two teams' rivalry stems back to 1998 when the Roosters famously upset the eventual premiers 26-12 at [[Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre|ANZ Stadium]] during the regular season. However, in the preliminary final that year the Roosters were smashed 46-18 at the same venue. The two teams met in the last daytime Grand Final way back in [[National Rugby League season 2000|2000]] with the Broncos winning 14-6. Since 2001, the two teams have clashed on Good Friday, however the Roosters have only won 2 from 8 clashes which are always held at the [[Sydney Football Stadium]]. The Roosters avenged their 2000 Grand Final loss by defeating the Broncos 16-12 in the preliminary final in 2002, and then went on to win the title. In 2003 the Roosters were the Broncos' only [[Suncorp Stadium]] victims; despite leading 8-4 at halftime they lost 10-8. However they got one back in 2005, winning 17-10. That was the Roosters' first win at the old ground since 1991 and have not played there since. ==Statistics and records== {{details|List of Sydney Roosters records}} [[Luke Ricketson]] holds the record for the most First Grade games for the club, having played 301 in total. Ricketson played rugby league locally for junior side Bondi United, and passed the previous record held by [[Kevin Hastings]] of 228 matches in late 2002. Team captain [[Craig Fitzgibbon]] holds the club record for the most points, tallying 1090 points over his 162 matches played. Fitzgibbon also claimed the all-time point scoring record in the competition for a forward in the later rounds of 2006. [[Dave Brown (rugby league footballer Easts)|Dave Brown's]] tally of 45 points in a single match set against [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Canterbury]] in 1935 still remains a competition record more than 70 years on. Had this tally been accounted for in modern points allocation (4 points for a try rather than 3), the points would have stood at a half century. [[Ivan Cleary]] scored 284 points on his own in 1998, setting an all-time points scoring record in a season at the time. This record has since been broken. [[Bill Mullins]], father of [[Brett Mullins]] who won a premiership with the side in 2002, scored 104 tries in his 11-year career with Eastern Suburbs between 1968 and 1978. Over his 190 matches, this tally accounts for a try scored more often than every second game. In 1935, [[Rod O’Loan]] scored 7 tries in a single match against [[University (Rugby League)|Sydney University]], and [[Dave Brown (rugby league footballer Easts)|Dave Brown's]] 38 tries scored in 15 games are both a club and competition record, In 1975, the Eastern Suburbs Roosters set an unparalleled 19-match winning streak on their way to their 11th premiership. The same match in which [[Dave Brown (rugby league footballer Easts)|Dave Brown]] scored 45 points against [[Canterbury Bulldogs|Canterbury]] in 1935 remains the highest victory margin and score for the club, the 87&ndash;7 scoreline separated by 80 points. The record is just second behind [[St. George Dragons|St. George's]] record of 85 points set against the same side a week earlier in which they won 91–6. The club's record attendance for a regular season home game stands at 37,981 for a match against the [[Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles]] in 1996. The Grand Final four years later between the Sydney Roosters and the [[Brisbane Broncos]] attracted 94,277 spectators and will remain the highest attendance for a game in which the club participates in until a larger stadium is built to hold the Grand Final. ==Coach== {{details|List of Sydney Roosters coaches}} [[Brad Fittler]] is the current coach of the Sydney Roosters. Fittler who in 2007 was assistant coach, took over the reigns as head coach in late 2007 after Chris Anderson stepped down as coach following a 56-0 defeat of the Roosters by Manly. It was Anderson's only season at the Roosters and left with a 5 wins and 11 losses record. Fittler was confirmed as head coach for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, with former players [[Adrian Lam]] and [[Bryan Fletcher]] also were confirmed as assistant coaches for Fittler. Prior to [[Chris Anderson]], [[Ricky Stuart]] was the head coach of the Roosters from season 2002 until 2006. During this period, Stuart coached the Roosters to a premiership in 2002 and successive grand final appearances in 2003 and 2004. After failing to make the finals in 2005 and 2006, Stuart was released from his final year of coaching the Roosters for the 2007 season. He has since become head coach of the [[Cronulla Sharks]] from 2007 onwards. During Ricky Stuart's tenure as head coach, [[John Cartwright]] held the post of assistant coach and [[Phil Gould]] held a position as a coaching director to Stuart. Cartwright has since joined the [[Gold Coast Titans]] as head coach and Gould who retired from coaching after the 2004 [[State of Origin]] series is a media personality for the [[Nine Network|Channel Nine]] network and journalist for the [[Sydney Morning Herald]]. In 2000 [[Graham Murray]] was appointed head coach of the Sydney Roosters, in his first season as coach Murray took the Roosters to their first grand final since 1980. The following season did not extract the same results, the Roosters exited the finals in the first week. Murray was released as coach having earlier in the year signed a deal to coach beyond the 2001 season. Prior to Murray's appointment, [[Phil Gould]] was the coach of the Roosters from 1995 to 1999. Gould is regarded by many as one of the key figures responsible for the Roosters return to success after dismal appearances in the majority of the 1980's and early 90's. During Gould's reign at the club, he was able to steer the Roosters to consistent finals appearances and helped develop representative careers for many players at the club. He resigned as coach at the end of 1999 following the Roosters finals exit after being defeated by the Dragons in the semi-final. ==Current squad== {{details|Sydney Roosters 2008}} Although other players may play for the Sydney Roosters during the year, all NRL clubs are required to select a top 25 First Grade squad at the beginning of the season. Below is a list of those 25 players ranked by their [[cap (sport)|cap]] number at the Sydney Roosters.<ref name="Player List">[http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/100years/player_list.php Player List] ''Sydney Roosters Minisite'' Retrieved on [[4 November]] [[2006]].</ref> Each player sports this number on their playing shorts. {{Rugby league squad start}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=989 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Craig Fitzgibbon]] | other=c}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=994 | nat=Australia | pos=FB | name=[[Anthony Minichiello]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1033 | nat=Tonga | pos=PR | name=[[Lopini Paea]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1035 | nat=Australia | pos=LK | name=[[Anthony Tupou]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1040 | nat=New Zealand | pos=WG | name=[[Sam Perrett]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1045 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Shane Shackleton]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1046 | nat=Australia | pos=WG | name=[[Amos Roberts]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1047 | nat=New Zealand | pos=CE | name=[[Iosia Soliola]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1052 | nat=Tonga | pos=SR | name=[[Mickey Paea]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1053 | nat=Australia | pos=PR | name=[[David Shillington]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1055 | nat=Australia | pos=FE | name=[[Braith Anasta]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1057 | nat=New Zealand | pos=PR | name=[[Steve Meredith]]}} {{Rugby league squad mid}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1063 | nat=New Zealand | pos=CE | name=[[Setaimata Sa]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1067 | nat=Australia | pos=CE | name=[[Mitchell Aubusson]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1069 | nat=New Zealand | pos=WG | name=[[Shaun Kenny Dowall|Shaun Kenny-Dowall]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1070 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Nate Myles]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1072 | nat=Australia | pos=HB | name=[[Mitchell Pearce]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1077 | nat=Australia | pos=HK | name=[[James Aubusson]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1078 | nat=Australia | pos=HK | name=[[Riley Brown]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1079 | nat=Australia | pos=WG | name=[[Brent Grose]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1080 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Willie Mason]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1081 | nat=Australia | pos=PR | name=[[Mark O'Meley]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=1082 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Anthony Cherrington]]}} {{Rugby league squad end}} ==Notable players== {{details|List of Sydney Roosters players}} In 2000, the Sydney Roosters released their "Team of the Century" which included players from 1908 to 2000. The official team is listed below along with their Sydney Roosters [[cap (sport)|cap]] number.<ref name="Player List">[http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/100years/player_list.php Player List] ''Sydney Roosters Minisite'' Retrieved on [[4 November]] [[2006]].</ref> {{Rugby league squad start}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=639 | nat=Australia | pos=FB | name=[[Russell Fairfax]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=587 | nat=Australia | pos=WG | name=[[Bill Mullins]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=18 | nat=Australia | pos=CE | name=[[Dally Messenger]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=202 | nat=Australia | pos=CE | name=[[Dave Brown (rugby league footballer Easts)|Dave Brown]] | other=c}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=315 | nat=Australia | pos=WG | name=[[Lionel Cooper]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=948 | nat=Australia | pos=FE | name=[[Brad Fittler]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=210 | nat=Australia | pos=HB | name=[[Viv Thicknesse]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=190 | nat=Australia | pos=PR | name=[[Ray Stehr]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=10 | nat=Australia | pos=HK | name=[[Sandy Pearce]]}} {{Rugby league squad mid}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=615 | nat=Australia | pos=PR | name=[[Arthur Beetson]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=625 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Ron Coote]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=193 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Joe Pearce]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=234 | nat=Australia | pos=LK | name=[[Andy Norval]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=674 | nat=Australia | pos=RE | name=[[Kevin Hastings]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=232 | nat=Australia | pos=RE | name=[[Jack Beaton]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=66 | nat=Australia | pos=RE | name=[[Jack Watkins]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=570 | nat=Australia | pos=RE | name=[[Barry Reilly]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no= | nat=Australia | pos=CO | name=[[Jack Gibson (rugby league)|Jack Gibson]] | other=coach}} {{Rugby league squad end}} In 2007 the Sydney Roosters announced "The Centurions", a team consisting of the greatest players to have played 100 games or more for the club between 1908 and 2007. The team was selected by Ray Chesterton, Ian Heads, David Middleton and Alan Clarkson and was unveiled at the 100 years season launch at the [[Hordern Pavilion]] on [[10 March]], [[2007]]. {{Rugby league squad start}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=994 | nat=Australia | pos=FB | name=[[Anthony Minichiello]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=587 | nat=Australia | pos=WG | name=[[Bill Mullins]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=608 | nat=Australia | pos=CE | name=[[Mark Harris (rugby league)|Mark Harris]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=595 | nat=Australia | pos=CE | name=[[John Brass]] {{Rugby league squad player | no=650 | nat=Australia | pos=WG | name=[[Ian Schubert]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=948 | nat=Australia | pos=FE | name=[[Brad Fittler]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=674 | nat=Australia | pos=HB | name=[[Kevin Hastings]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=190 | nat=Australia | pos=PR | name=[[Ray Stehr]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=10 | nat=Australia | pos=HK | name=[[Sandy Pearce]]}} {{Rugby league squad mid}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=615 | nat=Australia | pos=PR | name=[[Arthur Beetson]]}} | other=c}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=625 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Ron Coote]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=193 | nat=Australia | pos=SR | name=[[Joe Pearce]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=234 | nat=Australia | pos=LK | name=[[Andy Norval]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=989 | nat=Australia | pos=RE | name=[[Craig Fitzgibbon]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=206 | nat=Australia | pos=RE | name=[[Ernie Norman]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=884 | nat=Australia | pos=RE | name=[[Luke Ricketson]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no=570 | nat=Australia | pos=RE | name=[[Barry Reilly]]}} {{Rugby league squad player | no= | nat=Australia | pos=CO | name=[[Jack Gibson (rugby league)|Jack Gibson]] | other=coach}} {{Rugby league squad end}} ==Honours== {{details|List of Sydney Roosters honours}} *{{sport honours|[[New South Wales Rugby League premiership|New South Wales Rugby League]], [[Australian Rugby League]] and [[National Rugby League]]<ref>Up until 1994, the top division of the premiership in [[New South Wales]] was the [[New South Wales Rugby League premiership]]; since then, it has been the [[Australian Rugby League]] (1995–1997) and the [[National Rugby League]].</ref>|12|[[1911 rugby league premiership final|1911]], [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1912#Season Summary|1912]], [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1913#Season Summary|1913]], [[1923 New South Wales Rugby League premiership final|1923]], [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1935|1935]], [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1936|1936]], [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1937|1937]], [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1940|1940]], [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1945| 1945]], 1974, 1975, [[National Rugby League 2002 Grand Final|2002]]}} *{{sport honours|[[New South Wales Rugby League premiership|New South Wales Rugby League]], [[Australian Rugby League]] and [[National Rugby League]] runners-up|14|[[14&ndash;12(New South Wales Rugby League first premiership final)|1908]], [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1919#Season Summary|1919]], [[New South Wales Rugby League season 1921#Season Summary|1921]], 1928, [[New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1931#Grand Final|1931]], 1934, 1938, 1941, 1960, [[1972 Grand Final|1972]], 1980, 2000, 2003, 2004}} *{{sport honours|[[World Club Challenge]]|2|[[1976 World Club Challenge|1976]] , [[2003 World Club Challenge|2003]]}} *{{sport honours|New South Wales Rugby League, Australian Rugby League and National Rugby League minor premierships|16|1912, 1913, 1923, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1940, 1941, 1945, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1981, 2004}} *{{sport honours|New South Wales Rugby League Club Championships|12|1930, 1931, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1945, 1970, 1974, 1975, 2004, 2006}} *{{sport honours|[[City Cup]]|3|[[Eastern Suburbs 1914 Season#City Cup|1914]], 1915, 1916}} *{{sport honours|Pre-Season Cup titles|4|[[1974 (rugby league pre-season cup final)|1974]], 1977, 1979, 1981}} *{{sport honours|[[Amco Cup]]|2|1975, 1978}} *{{sport honours|[[Foundation Cup]] Titles|2|2007, 2008}} *{{sport honours|Sevens|1|1993}} *{{sport honours|First Division, [[NSWRL Premier League|Premier League]]<ref>Up until 2002, the second division of [[rugby league]] in [[New South Wales]] was Reserve Grade/Presidents Cup/First Division Premiers; since then, it has been the [[NSWRL Premier League]].</ref>|9|1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1935, 1937, 1949, 1986, 2004}} *{{sport honours|Jersey Flegg|14|1914, 1917, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1941, 1947, 1970, 1976, 1993, 2002, 2004}} *{{sport honours|Presidents Cup|15|1910, 1911, 1913, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1938, 1948, 1949, 1955, 1978, 1987, 1993}} *{{sport honours|S. G. Ball Cup|2|1997, 2008}} ==Footnotes== <!--This article uses the Cite.php citation mechanism. If you would like more information on how to add references to this article, please see http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Cite/Cite.php --> {{reflist|2}} ==References== *{{cite web | title=Rugby League Tables and Statistics | work=The World of Rugby League | url=http://stats.rleague.com/rl/rl_index.html | accessdaymonth=8 October | accessyear=2006}} *{{cite web | title=Hall of Fame | work=Australian Rugby League | url=http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au/index.cgi?sID=10 | accessdaymonth=8 October | accessyear=2006}} ==External links== ;Official websites * [http://www.sydneyroosters.com.au/ Sydney Roosters Online] * [http://www.nrl.com/Clubs/Roosters/tabid/98/Default.aspx Sydney Roosters at Nrl.com] * [http://www.eastsleaguesclub.com.au/ Easts Leagues Club] ;Fan websites * [http://www.sydroosters.com/ Carlos Ovelar's Unofficial Sydney Roosters] ;News sites * [http://www.australianrugbyleague.com.au/index.cgi?sID=10/ ARL Hall of Fame] * [http://www.rleague.com//db/year/2006/nrl_telstra_premiership/sydney_roosters/index.php The World of Rugby League] * [http://www.leagueunlimited.com/team/index.asp?team=Roosters&sport=NRL League Unlimited] {{Sydney Roosters}} {{Sydney Sports Teams}} {{Rugby League in New South Wales}} {{featured article}} [[Category:Australian rugby league teams]] [[Category:National Rugby League]] [[Category:Sydney Roosters]] [[Category:Sport in Sydney]] [[Category:Sports clubs established in 1908]] [[fr:Sydney Roosters]] [[it:Sydney Roosters]]