Sydney Roosters Women
| Club information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club | ||
| Nickname(s) | Roosters, Easts, Tricolours, Chooks, Sydney City | ||
| Short name | Sydney Roosters | ||
| Colours | Red White Blue (Navy) | ||
| Founded | Team: 8 September 2018 Club: 24 January 1908 as Eastern Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club | ||
| Website | roosters.com.au | ||
| Current details | |||
| Ground(s) |
| ||
| CEO | Joe Kelly | ||
| Chairman | Nick Politis | ||
| Coach | John Strange | ||
| Captain | Isabelle Kelly | ||
| Competition | NRL Women's Premiership | ||
| 2024 season | Premiers (2nd on ladder) | ||
| Current season | |||
| Uniforms | |||
| |||
| Records | |||
| Premierships | 2 (2021, 2024) | ||
| Runners-up | 2 (2018, 2020) | ||
| Minor premierships | 1 (2022) | ||
| Wooden spoons | 1 (2019) | ||
| Most capped | Isabelle Kelly – 42 | ||
| Highest try scorer | 18 – Jayme Fressard | ||
| Highest points scorer | Jocelyn Kelleher – 168 | ||
Sydney Roosters Women are a rugby league team, representing the Eastern Suburbs region of Sydney. The team is part of the Sydney Roosters club and plays in the National Rugby League Women's Premiership.
Seasons
| Season | Regular Season | Finals | Nines | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Pos | ||||
| 2018 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 34 | 24 | 2 | 2nd | Grand Finalist | — | [1][2] |
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 28 | 60 | 0 | 4th | — | — | |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 56 | 40 | 4 | 2nd | Grand Finalist | 3rd | [3] |
| 2021 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 77 | 92 | 4 | 4th | Premiers | — | [4][5] |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 156 | 58 | 10 | 1st | Semi-finalist | — | [6][7] |
| 2023 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 284 | 120 | 14 | 2nd | Semi-finalist | — | [8][9] |
| 2023 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 222 | 112 | 14 | 2nd | Premiers | — | [10][11] |
Head-to-head records
| Opponent | First meeting | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Win % | Share % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | 8 Sep 2018 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 68 | 44 | 50.00% | 60.71% |
| Broncos | 14 Sep 2018 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 160 | 186 | 40.00% | 46.24% |
| Dragons | 22 Sep 2018 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 178 | 62 | 75.00% | 74.17% |
| Titans | 6 Mar 2022 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 90 | 84 | 40.00% | 51.72% |
| Knights | 12 Mar 2022 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 85 | 76 | 60.00% | 52.80% |
| Eels | 20 Mar 2022 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 145 | 88 | 80.00% | 62.23% |
| Raiders | 29 Jul 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 48 | 44 | 50.00% | 52.17% |
| Sharks | 13 Aug 2023 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 40 | 100.00% | 72.97% |
| Tigers | 26 Aug 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 14 | 100.00% | 82.93% |
| Cowboys | 16 Sep 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 28 | 100.00% | 69.57% |
| Totals | 8 Sep 2018 | 46 | 29 | 0 | 17 | 1014 | 666 | 63.04% | 60.36% |
Notes
- Share % is the percentage of points For over the sum of points For and Against.
- Clubs listed in the order than the Roosters Women first played them.
- Last updated: 7 July 2025
Current squad
The Sydney Roosters have announced that the following players have signed to play with the club in the 2023 NRL Women's season.[12]
The team is coached by John Strange.[13]
Jersey numbers in the table reflect the team list announced for Round 2.
Table last updated on 9 July 2025.
| J# | Player | Age | Position(s) | NRLW Seasons | NRLW Stats | Origin | Tests | All Stars | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut | 2018-23 | 2024 | 2025 | M | T | G | Pts | |||||||
| 1 | Brydie Parker | 25 | Fullback, Wing | 2018 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 29 | 12 | 0 | 48 | — | — | — |
| 2 | Logan Fletcher | 18 | Wing | — | — | U | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 3 | Jessica Sergis | 27 | Centre | 2018 | 10 18 | 5 | 1 | 34 | 20 | 0 | 80 | 13 | 11 | — |
| 4 | Isabelle Kelly | 28 | Centre | 2018 | 30 2 | 11 | 1 | 44 | 17 | 0 | 68 | 16 | 17 | 1 |
| 5 | Mia Wood | 26 | Wing, Second-row | 2023 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 9 | 0 | 36 | — | — | — |
| 6 | Corban Baxter | 31 | Five-eighth, Fullback | 2019 | 22 | H | 1 | 23 | 9 | 0 | 36 | 10 | — | 1 4 |
| 7 | Jocelyn Kelleher | 25 | Halfback, Five-eighth | 2020 | 26 | 11 | 1 | 38 | 6 | 72 | 168 | 3 | — | — |
| 8 | Otesa Pule | 22 | Prop, Second-row | 2022 | 16 | 11 | 1 | 28 | 8 | 0 | 32 | — | 10 | — |
| 9 | Keeley Davis | 25 | Hooker | 2018 | 23 9 | 11 | 1 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 10 | 7 | — |
| 10 | Rima Butler | 27 | Prop | 2022 | 5 7 | 8 | 1 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 16 | — | — | 2 |
| 11 | Aliyah Nasio | 19 | Second-row, Lock | 2024 | — | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Jasmin Strange | 22 | Second-row, Centre | 2022 | 1 11 | 11 | 1 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 24 | — | — | 3 |
| 13 | Olivia Kernick | 24 | Lock, Second-row | 2021 | 23 | 11 | 1 | 35 | 14 | 0 | 56 | 9 | 7 | 3 2 |
| 14 | Shawden Burton | 25 | Hooker | 2021 | 13 | H | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Macie Carlile | 23 | Prop, Second-row | 2023 | 3 | R | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Amber Hall | 30 | Second-row, Prop | 2019 | 18 1 | 10 | — | 29 | 9 | 0 | 36 | — | 14 | — |
| 17 | Taneisha Gray | 19 | Second-row | 2025 | — | D | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 |
| 18 | Jayde Herdegen | 20 | Five-eighth, Halfback | — | — | R | R | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 19 | Eliza Lopamaua | 20 | Second-row, Prop | 2024 | — | 4 | — | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | — | — | — |
| 20 | Imogen Hei | 19 | Hooker | — | — | R | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| 21 | Tyra Le Ekepati | 19 | Centre | — | — | D | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| IJ | Tarryn Aiken | 25 | Halfback, Five-eighth | 2019 | 19 10 | 9 | — | 38 | 14 | 1 | 59 | 11 | 10 | — |
| IJ | Jayme Fressard | 28 | Wing, Centre | 2020 | 3 4 13 | 9 | 1 | 30 | 19 | 0 | 76 | 3 | — | — |
| C | Taina Naividi | 24 | Wing, Fullback | 2021 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 16 | — | 2 | — |
| IJ | Tavarna Papalii | 20 | Lock | 2024 | — | 8 | — | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | — |
| DV | Ellie Brander | — | Prop | — | — | U | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| DV | Sienna Thomas | 18 | Halfback | — | — | U | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| DV | Mahlie Cashin | 18 | Hooker | — | — | R | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| DV | Talea Tonga | 17 | Halfback | — | — | U | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| P | Millie Elliott | 27 | Prop | 2019 | 13 7 8 | 10 | P | 38 | 7 | 0 | 28 | 9 | 4 | — |
Notes:
- The following players were signed on a Development contract for 2025.
- Mahlie Cashin (who played for the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy, Tarsha Gale Cup side in 2025)
- Sienna Thomas
- Talea Tonga (who played for the Central Coast Roosters, Lisa Fiaola side in 2025)
- The following players were signed on a Development contract for 2024.[14]
- Tyra Ekepati (who moves to a full contract for the 2025 season)
- Taneisha Gray
- Kayla Jackson
- Tess McWilliams
- Millie Elliott will miss the 2025 season due to pregnancy.[15]
The Sydney Roosters announced player signings in several instalments from July 2024.[16][17][18][19][20]
Club records
Player records
Lists and tables last updated: 7 October 2024.
Most games for the Roosters
- Isabelle Kelly — 42, Jocelyn Kelleher — 38, Olivia Kernick — 35, Brydie Parker — 29, Otesa Pule — 28, Zahara Temara — 24, Mya Hill-Moana — 25, Kalosipani Hopoate — 24, Jessica Sergis — 24, Corban Baxter — 23, Jayme Fressard 23, Keilee Joseph — 22, Keeley Davis — 21.
Most tries for the Roosters
- Jayme Fressard — 18, Isabelle Kelly — 17, Jessica Sergis — 15, Olivia Kernick — 14, Brydie Parker — 12, Corban Baxter — 9, Mia Wood — 9, Tarryn Aiken — 8, Otesa Pule — 8, Sam Bremner 8, Jocelyn Kelleher — 6, Taleena Simon — 5, Amber Hall 5.
Most points for the Roosters (20+)
| Player | 2024 Club | M | T | G | FG | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jocelyn Kelleher | 38 | 6 | 72 | 0 | 168 | |
| Zahara Temara | 24 | 2 | 43 | 1 | 95 | |
| Jayme Fressard | 23 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 68 | |
| Isabelle Kelly | 42 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 68 | |
| Jessica Sergis | 24 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 60 | |
| Olivia Kernick | 35 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 56 | |
| Brydie Parker | 29 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 48 | |
| Corban Baxter | 23 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 36 | |
| Mia Wood | 15 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 36 | |
| Tarryn Aiken | 19 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 33 | |
| Otesa Pule | 28 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 | |
| Samantha Bremner | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 32 | |
| Taleena Simon | — | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Amber Hall | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
Most points in a season (16+)
| Player | Season | M | T | G | FG | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jocelyn Kelleher | 2024 | 11 | 1 | 37 | 0 | 78 |
| Jocelyn Kelleher | 2023 | 10 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 72 |
| Jessica Sergis | 2023 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Corban Baxter | 2023 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| Zahara Temara | 2022 | 6 | 1 | 21 | 0 | 26 |
| Jayme Fressard | 2023 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Sam Bremner | 2024 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Jayme Fressard | 2024 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Olivia Kernick | 2024 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| Zahara Temara | 2020 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 22 |
| Zahara Temara | 2021 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 21 |
| Jayme Fressard | 2022 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Isabelle Kelly | 2023 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Otesa Pule | 2023 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Tarryn Aiken | 2023 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Mia Wood | 2024 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Amber Hall | 2024 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Jessica Sergis | 2024 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Taleena Simon | 2018 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Isabelle Kelly | 2021 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Brydie Parker | 2023 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Mia Wood | 2023 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Brydie Parker | 2024 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Margins and streaks
Biggest winning margins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 40—0 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | PointsBet Stadium | 8 Sep 2024 |
| 38 | 48—10 | Wests Tigers | Allianz Stadium | 26 Aug 2023 |
| 34 | 46—12 | Parramatta Eels | Industree Group Stadium | 3 Sep 2023 |
| 30 | 30—0 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Sydney Cricket Ground | 3 Aug 2023 |
| 28 | 34—6 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Allianz Stadium | 2 Sep 2022 |
| 26 | 26—0 | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Allianz Stadium | 22 Sep 2018 |
| 26 | 38—12 | Gold Coast Titans | Central Coast Stadium | 18 Sep 2022 |
Biggest losing margins
| Margin | Score | Opponent | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 12—34 | Brisbane Broncos | ANZ Stadium | 30 Sep 2018 |
| 20 | 0—20 | Brisbane Broncos | AMII Park | 21 Sep 2019 |
| 20 | 6—26 | Gold Coast Titans | Cbus Super Stadium | 25 Aug 2024 |
Most consecutive wins
- 7 — (3 April 2022 — 10 April 2022, 20 August 2022 — 18 September 2022)
Most consecutive losses
- 4 — (30 September 2018 — 29 September 2019)
- 4 — (17 October 2020 — 6 March 2022)
History
On 27 March 2018, the Sydney Roosters applied for, and won, a license to participate in the inaugural 2018 NRL Women's season.[2] Adam Hartigan was named as the coach of the women's side.
In June 2018, the club used up the maximum of fifteen marquee signings ahead of the inaugural season which subsequently commenced in September. Players signed included Karina Brown, Isabelle Kelly and Ruan Sims.[21]
The club finished runners-up in the inaugural NRL Women's Premiership, losing to the Brisbane Broncos by 34–12 in the 2018 NRL Women's Premiership Grand Final.[22] Zahara Temara claimed the 2018 Player of the Season award.
In 2019, Rick Stone took over as coach. The club, however, failed to win a match, claiming the wooden spoon. Tallisha Harden was awarded the club's Best & Fairest Player for the 2019 season.
Jamie Feeney was appointed the head coach for the 2020 season, being determined to turn the club's fortunes around. He was assisted by Kylie Hilder and John Strange. Feeney immediately appointed Corban McGregor as the clubs new captain. The club also announced the big signing of Sevens Rugby star and 2016 Gold Medalist, Charlotte Caslick. In his first season, Feeney took the side to the Grand Final however they fell short, going down 20–10 as the Brisbane Broncos claimed a three-peat of premierships.
In 2021, John Strange was appointed the head coach with Kylie Hilder staying on as assistant coach. After a tough start to the season, the Roosters snuck into the finals in fourth place before upsetting defending champs Brisbane Broncos in the semi-final and then defeating the highly fancied St George-Illawarra Dragons in the Grand Final (played at Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe) to claim the club's inaugural NRLW title.
John Strange added to his success in 2022 by claiming the club's first NRLW Minor Premiership (5 wins, 0 losses) before being eliminated by the Parramatta Eels in an upset semi-final loss. Season 2023 followed a similar path with the club finishing second (8 wins, 2 losses) in the Premiership rounds before once again falling short in the semi-final, this time at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans.
Players
References
- ^ Robertson, Josh (30 September 2018). "Broncos become NRLW premiers with big win". League Unlimited. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
- ^ a b Newton, Alicia (27 March 2018). "Geographic location the focus as NRL women's teams announced". NRL.com. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
- ^ Newton, Alicia (25 October 2020). "Three-peat complete: Brilliant Broncos kick clear of plucky Roosters". NRL. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ Lenehan, Martin (10 April 2022). "Third time lucky as Roosters down Dragons in epic NRLW decider". NRL. Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ Lucantonio, AJ (10 April 2022). "Roosters queens of the Coop with their first NRLW Premiership". League Unlimited. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
- ^ "Telstra Women's Premiership – Roosters 10 v 24 Eels". NRL. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ Lucantonio, AJ (25 September 2022). "Eels advance to their first NRLW grand final downing complacent Roosters". League Unlimited. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ Schouw, Paige (16 September 2023). "Roosters overpower Cowboys to lock in home semi-final". NRL. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ^ Lenehan, Martin (24 September 2023). "Titans stun Roosters to power into first NRLW decider". NRL. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ Mee, Cameron (6 October 2024). "Roosters hold off Sharks to claim NRLW decider". NRL. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ Hollis, Kelly (6 October 2024). "Roosters hold off fast-finishing Sharks to claim NRLW title". NRL. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
- ^ "2023 NRLW Signings Tracker: Contract window opens with big movement expected". NRL. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
- ^ "NRLW Line up for Round 1 vs Broncos". Roosters. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ "Sydney Roosters NRLW Squad Announced as Preseason Kicks Off in June". Roosters.com.au. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
- ^ "Elliotts are expecting first child together". Newcastle Herald. 3 March 2025.
- ^ "Otesa Pule re-commits for two more years". Roosters.com.au. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Rima Butler to join the Roosters". Roosters.com.au. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ "Roosters Bolster NRLW Squad". Roosters.com.au. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ "2024 NRLW Premiership Winners Keeley Davis & Amber Hall Re-Commit". Roosters.com.au. Sydney Roosters. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
- ^ "Roosters Strengthen NRLW Squad With Lopamaua Extension & Carlile Signing". Roosters.com.au. Sydney Roosters. 18 March 2025. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ^ "Roosters announce NRLW marquee signings". Sydney Roosters. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
- ^ Newton, Alicia (30 September 2018). "Broncos smash Roosters to win inaugural NRLW". NRL.com. Retrieved 30 September 2018.