The Mole: Roster gamble 'could come back to bite' Chooks as title window hinges on NRL's oldest player

Unless they open the purse strings at season's end, this could be the Roosters' last chance at a title for quite a few years.

At the end of the season, two of the club's elite players - match-winning winger Mark Nawaqanitawase and star back-rower Angus Crichton - move on to rugby union.

Veteran James Tedesco will be closer to retirement and Daly Cherry-Evans is likely to hang up his boots after his hit-and-run season at Bondi.

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The Roosters let a great young prospect go in Sandon Smith when DCE came on board and it could come back to bite them.

The Roosters haven't won the title since 2019 - a long losing stretch by their lofty standards - and frankly I don't see this being the year they break the drought.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if the Roosters miss the finals entirely.

Before you say I'm crazy, look back to last year when they lost four of their first five games and only just scraped into the big end of season games in eighth spot thanks to other results going their way.

Much will depend on DCE - and I'm not sure he was the guy they should have signed to steer them around the park.

The oldest man in the NRL didn't have a vintage season at Manly last year, remembering, despite the denials, he signed with the Roosters very early in 2025.

Now a year older and slower, does he have what it takes to win games against the NRL's best teams?

The change in scenery after so many years at Manly may see a new spring in the veteran's step - time will tell.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

The mercurial Sam Walker will be a good foil for DCE in the halves and you never know - it might turn out to be a Cooper Cronk-style masterstroke by Trent Robinson.

The acquisition of Blues Origin hooker Reece Robson will stiffen the Roosters' defence up the middle, and when points are required the livewire Connor Watson can take his place.

The Roosters' trump cards are their outside backs. Mark Nawaqanitawase is a wizard, Daniel Tupou keeps scoring tries, Tedesco ages like fine wine and rookie sensation Robert Toia should continue to improve.

Up front, the Roosters are all power with middles Naufahu Whyte, Lindsay Collins and Victory Radley setting a great platform.

Crichton was one of the NRL's form back-rowers last season and fellow second-rower Siua Wong is held in high regard by the club.

It's a squad with few weaknesses, several born leaders and some great young up-and-comers. They could finish in the top four, but I just have my doubts about their depth and a couple of key positions.

2026 gains: Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles, 2026), Cody Ramsey (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2027), Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys, 2029), Tommy Talau (Manly Sea Eagles, 2026)

2026 losses: Zach Dockar-Clay (Manly Sea Eagles), Ethan King (North Queensland Cowboys), Ethan Roberts (Wests Tigers), Brandon Smith (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Sandon Smith (Newcastle Knights), Chad Townsend (retired), Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)

Best buy: Tommy Talau is a centre/winger who knows his way to the try line. I'm surprised Manly let him walk and if he can force his way into the team, the tries will flow.

It's a big season for: Tedesco is the heart and soul of the Roosters and despite now being we'll and truly in the veteran class, produced one of his best seasons in 2025. Can he do it again?

Biggest question mark: It all revolves around DCE - if he slots in seamlessly the Roosters will be a threat but if the move doesn't work, the attack could stutter.

Finish last year (after 26 rounds): 8th

Predicted finish: 9th

Best 19 man squad

1. James Tedesco

2. Mark Nawaqanitawase

3. Billy Smith

4. Robert Toia

5. Daniel Tupou

6. Daly Cherry-Evans

7. Sam Walker

8. Naufahu Whyte

9. Reece Robson

10. Lindsay Collins

11. Siua Wong

12. Angus Crichton

13. Victor Radley

Interchange

14. Connor Watson

15. Blake Steep

16. Nat Butcher

17. Spencer Leniu

18. De La Salle Va'a

19. Egan Butcher

Odds to win comp: $7