The Sydney Roosters are reportedly willing to part ways with Zach Dockar-Clay if the hooker can secure a deal at another club for next season. Dockar-Clay has become an unlikely hero for the Roosters in recent weeks, playing 74 minutes against the Dolphins last weekend when Sandon Smith was ruled out with concussion.
Starting hooker Connor Watson was forced to switch to five-eighth, meaning Dockar-Clay played big minutes at dummy-half. He topped the tackle count for the Roosters with 37, and only a mishap while putting the ball down prevented him from scoring what would have been an extraordinary team try.
He was dynamic off the bench against the Dragons in Round 8, producing a line-break assist in 22 minutes in their 46-18 win. The 30-year-old has cemented his place in the NRL side in recent weeks, but he could be facing a sad reality when it comes to extending his stay.
According to Daily Telegraph columnist ‘The Oracle’, coach Trent Robinson is happy for Dockar-Clay to depart if he can find a new club for 2026. The hooker is a free agent and only contracted to the Roosters until the end of this season, meaning he’s free to negotiate with rival clubs.
“[Robinson] told me he is off contract and would be happy for him if he was offered a decent deal elsewhere from 2026,” ‘The Oracle’ wrote on Sunday. “A shame, because he is a very talented player.”
Considering his form over the last few weeks, it might not go down well with Roosters fans if they don’t try and re-sign him. One wrote on social media: “Would be a huge mistake letting him go, he’s such a huge asset to the team.” Another added: “Why do the Roosters always seem happy to see players go elsewhere?”
Reece Robson’s arrival to push Zach Dockar-Clay out
The situation with Dockar-Clay comes after the Roosters made the extraordinary decision to part ways with Terrell May in the off-season. May has become one of the most talented and dynamic front-rowers in the NRL, and is on the cusp of selection for NSW in State of Origin.
The Roosters’ decision to let him walk to the Wests Tigers has been widely criticised, especially after he made a stunning start to life under Benji Marshall at his new club. The decision to let Dockar-Clay leave makes more sense considering the Roosters are set to be spoiled for choice at hooker in 2026.
Would be a huge mistake letting him go, he’s such a huge asset to the team
— NRL Silverback (@NRLSilverback) May 4, 2025
He’s actually a better 9 than Watson but
Robson becomes 9 and Watson 14 so no room— Ryan D (@ryand1one) May 5, 2025
He’d be close to the first person I’d be signing if I was in charge of recruitment for the Perth Bears if they actually join the comp in 2027. They’ll get him relatively cheap and he’ll be a very reliable player for them
— Lachlan Jeffery (@LachlanJeffery) May 4, 2025
He deserves first grade. If we are willing to let him go, it may be due to either the development of moriaty, or sandon/savala filling in at 14 when we are fully fit, with Robson at 9, Connor at 13, walker at 7 and one of the young guns at 6.
— Dadbod_dave_foketi_szn (@back_in_my_daze) May 4, 2025
