In the 2026 NRL season, the ‘end of set’ will be the kingmaker. We’re at a point where roster depth is so tight that how you turn over possession is no longer just a stat—it’s the difference between a title and a whole lot of ‘what ifs.’
Halves will dictate where your team finishes after 27 rounds, and that’s why, if you’re looking for a team to watch in 2026, you must look at the Sydney Roosters.
THE FERRARI WITHOUT BREAKS
The last time the Chooks were truly ‘clinical’ was when Cooper Cronk drove the bus. By contrast, the 2025 Roosters were a Ferrari without brakes. They had the horsepower, but they kept crashing because they couldn’t control the speed of game. Enter Daly Cherry-Evans. All halves can kick, but Daly is the surgical gold standard. His accuracy ensures the opposition starts their sets in the ‘coffin’ 90% of the time.
THE DOMINO EFFECT
When DCE, who joined on a one-year deal worth $500,000, pins a team in the corner, it triggers a chain reaction that the 2025 squad just couldn’t sustain. In footy speak, it’s called ‘The Cycle’:
• Compressed Defence: Because the opposition start trapped deep, the Roosters’ defensive men— Collins, Crichton, Steep and co — can stand shoulder-to-shoulder. They save energy, hit harder, and force a long, desperate kick downfield.
• The Counterattack: Most teams tactically kick to the left winger because right-footed halfbacks naturally shape the ball that way. This is where Daniel Tupou becomes the most important man on the field. Using every bit of his physical presence, he doesn’t just catch the ball; he scatters defenders, winning the collision and finding a quick play-the-ball.
This allows the Roosters to gain valuable field position immediately. The opposition back five are terrified to stay on the end of the line; they know DCE will nail a 40/20 the second they lose concentration. This leaves the defensive line short and the play-the-ball (PTB) speed impossible to control — DCE lands it in the coffin once again and, you guessed it, the cycle begins again.
POWER ON DEMAND
Because the big men aren’t spending the whole game running shuttles chasing kicks, the Roosters’ power forwards stay fresher. That means Spencer Leniu, Naufahu Whyte, and Siua Wong hitting a tiring defence at high speed with numbers in support. It’s a nightmare scenario for a fatigued defensive line.
ROBSON AND WATSON
The Roosters have added Reece Robson to partner with Connor Watson. Having two elite dummy halves will demand the opposition shorten their defensive line to manage the threat — it will be like holding a pit bull by the ears: the situation is dangerous to control, but even more dangerous to let go.
THE VERDICT
The 2025 Roosters made the playoffs on raw talent alone. In 2026, they have the missing link. With DCE holding the keys, the Ferrari finally has a driver who knows exactly when to hit the brakes — and when to floor it. Cockadoodle do.
