Billionaire Roosters boss teases big signing after two grand final wins
Updated . First published
A cross-code star is set to make her way to the Sydney Roosters NRLW team next year, in a move that is only going to make the premiership winners even stronger.
In the aftermath of the club winning the men’s and women’s premierships, the club’s chairman Nick Politis could not hide his joy about the Roosters’ success.
The Roosters went through the NRLW season undefeated. Getty Images
The 85-year-old billionaire was seen walking along the sidelines interacting with the club’s fans when he was brought in for a chat with Nine’s Brad Fittler.
Politis said it was “so good and unbelievable” that they club won two premierships, but he was more impressed by how dominant the teams had been in recent years.
Trent Robinson’s men have not missed the finals since 2016 and have gone on to lift the Provan-Summons trophy three times, most recently defeating the Newcastle Knights 19-18.
As for the women’s team, they went through this season undefeated after losing last year’s decider to the Broncos.
“I don’t think people realise, the girls have lost one game in two years and only lost seven games in five seasons. It is unbelievable, isn’t it?” Politis told Nine, hours after the side defeated the Broncos 30-6.
“And next year our team is going to be better. We have a rugby sevens girl coming, she’s a fullback ... she is very good.”
Politis did not name the cross-code star that is set to join the club next season, but a number of suggestions have swirled online as possible candidates.
Maddison Levi has long been touted as a potential signing to bolster any NRLW team, although she would be better suited to a role in the outside backs.
If she were to make the move, she would follow in the footsteps of her younger sister Teagan, who carved up in the halves for the Titans this season.
Faith Nathan had reportedly denied the opportunity to join the NRLW in 2026 on a deal like Teagan’s due to Rugby Australia’s interest in extending her contract.
Rugby league is not a new challenge for Nathan, who represented the Sharks in the Tarsha Gale competition in 2018. Starting in the centres, Nathan scored a hat-trick in the side’s 32-22 grand final victory over the Newcastle Knights that season.
Charlotte Caslick celebrates with Faith Nathan. Getty
The likes of Quincy Dodd, Olivia Kernick and Jasmine Strange were also on the team lists in that Tarsha Gale Cup final.
One year later, Nathan was picked up and debuted for Australia in rugby sevens.
Charlotte Caslick has made clear that she is working to be fit to return to elite sport soon after having her first baby recently, and has a connection with the Roosters after playing for them in 2020.
Delays in international rugby sevens tournaments due to the COVID pandemic were the reason for Caslick’s arrival in the NRLW that season.
The now 31-year-old featured twice that season, winning both games, but her time with the club was cut short as she suffered two small fractures in her spine.
For now, fans will have to wait a little longer to learn who the mystery fullback is that will step into the hole left by retiring foundation star Corban Baxter.
Baxter has featured 44 times in Roosters colours since the team’s first game in the NRLW. She even captained the side to their inaugural premiership.
The 32-year-old took time off in 2022-23 when she gave birth to her second son, Beauden, but she returned in 2024 to represent Australia and the Maori All Stars on the international stage.
Baxter was not the only star the Roosters farewelled on Sunday night, with NRLW pioneer Millie Elliott also calling time on her successful rugby league career.
Elliott leaves the game as a five-time premiership winner across three clubs.
