Mark Geyer reveals NRL's best off-season signing 'no one is talking about' who can lift Chooks to premiership
It has been seven years since the Sydney Roosters lifted the premiership shield, but league great Mark Geyer believes they could break that drought this season.
An 11-year stint at the helm of the Tricolours has seen Trent Robinson and his playing group win three premierships, four minor premierships and three World Club challenges.
He has led many of the game's best talents during his time as head coach, but there is no denying that the power of his 2026 squad, on paper, could be one of his best.
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The arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson are bound to make a fierce impact, with the pair's experience on the representative stage only bolstering the club's line-up.
Robson is one of the many who have consistently flown under the radar, although his choice to move away from the Cowboys put him at the centre of the headlines.
Reece Robson celebrates after scoring a try. Getty
The NSW hooker inked a four-year deal at the Chooks, marking the end of a five-year run in North Queensland.
In the eyes of Geyer, that decision has set him up to be the signing of the season.
"Reece Robson's ability to hit like a brick but also identify when to run and when not to run is one of the most important things for a No.9," Geyer said on 2GB's Wide World of Sports with Adam Hawse.
"He is probably the best in the competition at it.
"And no one is talking about the fact he is linking with Sam Walker, (James) Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans. They are a team to be reckoned with.
"DCE's poise and composure are only going to help out Robson and Teddy."
If it was not for Robson's move, Geyer admitted that Cherry-Evans would likely end up taking out the top spot as signing of the year. But for now, he sits in second.
"(Cherry-Evans) could have a profound effect on the Roosters in the same way that Cooper Cronk did in 2018 and 2019," Geyer continued.
"DCE is still a fit man. He could probably play until he is 40.
"Linking up with Walker, Tedesco and Robson ... on paper, there are four spines that I would pay good money for in the competition and one of them is the Roosters. The Melbourne Storm, Brisbane and Penrith are the others.
"The premiership winner will come from one of those four teams this year. It just depends on how much their marquee personnel can stay on the field."
Reflecting on the rest of the competition, Geyer narrowed down his top five signings to be Robson, Cherry-Evans, Jonah Pezet (Eels), David Fifita (Rabbitohs), and Dylan Brown (Knights).
For Pezet, the Penrith great's only fear was whether the 23-year-old can get over the fact that he will inevitably be departing the Parramatta Eels at the season's end.
If he can, he will make "a fantastic one-two punch for Mitchell Moses".
David Fifita in action for the Gold Coast Titans. Getty
As for Fifita, his best chance to make a mark in the competition will come thanks to his new veteran coach, Wayne Bennett, according to Geyer.
"If not now, it's never," Geyer said of Fifita's future in the NRL.
"If Wayne Bennett can not unlock the hulk that is in David Fifita then nobody can. He has to unleash himself.
"There are some really encouraging signs early on in his preparation at Souths ... someone captured him and Latrell wrestling each other at the beach. I immediately thought if these two can find their power together and both be on the field for 75 per cent of their games as well as having Cam Murray back - I am thinking they could be a top four team this year.
"I think Souths are brewing after a really disappointing year with injuries. I felt sorry for them last year, especially losing their captain before a ball had been kicked."
Latrell Mitchell (R) celebrates scoring a try with Cody Walker (L). Getty
However, while Bennett will need to find a way to make Fifita "turn green like the hulk", he will also need to find a way to give Latrell Mitchell a role alongside Jye Gray, who at the end of last season had convinced most league greats he should be South Sydney's fullback.
"Jye Gray is insatiable. He is a great player, he is energetic, he just is everywhere," said Geyer.
"I don't like the idea of Latrell being on one edge and saying that's all he can do. If he can have a roaming position and do what he needs to do, he can be dangerous.
"If he is just on the left edge, it worries me that he will be pigeonholed and he won't go looking for the ball. Still, what a formidable left edge with him, Cody Walker and Alex Johnston."
Finally, coming in at number five on Geyer's top signings rankings was Brown.
"If he can show his Kiwi form, his combination with Kalyn Ponga - them two on the field at the same time - it could be outrageous," he said.
"Off the back of three man of the match performances in the international program ... if he can keep that form up, he will be close to the buy of the year."
