Rookie Watch: The TEN best young prospects yet to debut at the Sydney Roosters

The Sydney Roosters have been one of the best teams over the past decade, but if they are to remain in premiership contention, they will need to rely on the next generation of young players coming through the ranks. Over the past couple of years, the likes of Benaiah Ioelu, Salesi Foketi, Hugo Savala, Robert Toia and the Va'a brothers - De La Salle and Xavier - have been introduced to the NRL after successfully progressing through the club's ranks. So...who's next? Honourable Mentions Outside of the 'Top Ten', the Roosters have plenty of great young players who are slowly progressing through the ranks. Some backline players to watch include local fullback Zac Sarfati, former Under-19s Queensland representative Reece Foley, and outside back duo William Malloy and Jackson Stewart. Meanwhile, Peter Benjamin Uini and Kanaan Magele headline the most impressive forwards that are on the club's books and set to make waves in the coming seasons. Dual-code prospect James Finegan and the Fesolai - Josiah and Joshua - should also be watched closely by fans over the next few years. Carter Mareko The reigning 2025 Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Tournament, Carter Mareko is the youngest player on this list but has shown that he has all the makings to be a future No.7 in the NRL. Recently inking a three-year contract with the club until the end of 2028, the Central Coast product took the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup competition by storm with his attacking intelligence, quick footwork, elite speed, and ability to find gaps in the opposition's defensive line. "It's unreal playing for the Roosters, and when you're out on the field, you have to pinch yourself that I'm here," Mareko told Zero Tackle recently. "We're really tight and we do everything together. It's just good playing with your brothers. "I'll go back and work on my game in the off-season, then start again in pre-season for SG Ball." Jeziah Papa A highly-touted prospect who was previously named the second-best schoolboys prospect in Australia by The Daily Telegraph, Jeziah Papa is only at the beginning of his career but has already impressed club officials with his ability on the field. Playing either in the centres or at five-eighth, Papa started 2025 in the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup as the Roosters' captain before making the successful transition to the Under-21s Jersey Flegg Cup competition with the Tricolours. Compared to Joseph Manu and Joseph Suaalii, due to his athletic dominance, especially when it comes to one-on-one battles, he is one to keep a close eye on in the coming years. Darcy Smith A member of the 2025 Australian Schoolboys side, Darcy Smith has had a sensational last nine months in the Roosters' pathways system, which saw him help the club win the SG Ball Cup title, make his Jersey Flegg Cup debut and be named the Player of the Match in the 2025 U18s clash between City and Country. Compared to Boyd Cordner, due to his hard work ethic and high IQ with the ball in his hands, Smith is regarded as one of the best forwards in rugby league under the age of 18 and still has plenty of time to develop. "When I was young, nothing really went my way with footy, and then I just grounded it out and found my way into the Roosters system, and they gave me a chance," Smith told Zero Tackle about his rugby league journey. "All I've wanted since I was a kid (is to play NRL), and that'd mean the world to me playing for the Roosters one day when I'm older. "It'd mean everything to my family, too. I wouldn't be here without them and wouldn't be able to do what I can do if it wasn't for my parents." Lui Lee The younger brother of Brenko Lee, Lui Lee will join the club's development list ahead of the 2026 season and was a favourite to play for the Under-19s QLD Maroons before an injury derailed his season in 2025. Recruited by the club from Queensland, the 18-year-old started the year in the Under-19s SG Ball Cup before being handed his NSW Cup debut at the age of 17 in Round 12 against Newtown Jets. Primarily playing in the centres, he has been seen as a key part of the club's future and made 81 metres, eight tackles and two tackle busts during his only reserve-grade appearance to date. Jaxson Allen The club's Under-19s SG Ball Cup captain, Jaxson Allen, has been in the Tricolours system for a number of years now and is considered one of the club's most promising young players. Named at dummy-half for the NSW Blues in the Under-19s State of Origin clash against Queensland, Allen can not only read the game easily from around the ruck but is also able to make split-second decisions that turn the game on its head. Known for his elite ball-running and passing skills from the ruck, he was instrumental in the Roosters' success to the SG Ball Cup title and will only get better as he continues to develop in reserve-grade. Jake Elliott The club's starting NSW Cup five-eighth over the past two seasons, Jake Elliott is one of the many talented playmakers coming through the ranks at the Sydney Roosters. However, unlike the others, the Under-19s NSW Blues representative has also shown his usefulness at hooker and also at lock forward - a talent he showed at the backend of this year's campaign. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftmLvSr10EY While he is behind Toby Rodewell in the pecking order, his versatility is set to come in handy in the coming seasons. In 20 NSW Cup matches this year, the Central Coast product scored five tries, forced four drop-outs, averaged 62 running metres per game as well as providing 12 try assists and 16 line-break assists. Itula Seve The younger brother of former Under-19s NSW Blues front-rower Fanafou Seve, Itula Seve has been able to pass him as the most promising player in his family and is all but untouchable when it comes to defending him on the line. Previously with the Canterbury Bulldogs, Seve has only been at the Roosters for less than 12 months, but he has already made an immediate impact and finished the year by making his NSW Cup debut against the Newtown Jets. Still only 18 (and eligible to play in the SG Ball Cup in 2026), the Under-18s NSW City representative is a sight to behold in attack as he fends off defenders with ease and has that Spencer Leniu-type of impact. Aholoka Toia The younger brother of Roosters and Queensland centre Robert Toia, Aholoka is set to follow in his brother's footsteps in the coming seasons as he looks to progress into the NRL first-grade competition. Training with the first-grade squad for the first time at the moment, the front-rower is much bigger in stature but has already caught the attention of multiple teammates due to his good performances in the NSW Cup. The hard-working middle averaged 14 tackles and 52 running metres per game, to go with seven tackle busts and 236.6 total post-contact metres in 11 appearances. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNfiRiO88Hc "He's a bit of a Spencer Leinu type build and play style. He's pretty powerful and hopefully he gets some NRL experience soon," Robert Toia said. "To be honest, I used to win the battles against him, but my two older brothers used to win the battles against me." Rex Bassingthwaighte One of the brightest fullback prospects, Rex Bassingthwaighte, has already been earmarked as James Tedesco's future successor in the No.1 jersey at the Sydney Roosters. Locked in until the end of 2028, where he will join the club's Top 30 roster in 2027, the SHORE School graduate is highly regarded among officials as one of the best young talents in both rugby league and rugby union. While he missed most of this year due to a shoulder injury, his past 24 months included winning the club's Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year award, representing the Under-18s Australian Wallabies side alongside Heamasi Makasini, and leading his school to its first 1st XV AAGPS premiership since 2006. "He trained with us in the pre-season last year. Love him. We got along really well (and he's) a really exciting young player," Roosters skipper James Tedesco told Zero Tackle. "(Rex's) fast, agile, got good hands, and I think he's going to be a real talent. "He can fit in anywhere in the backs to sort of start off his career, but fullback definitely for the future." Toby Rodwell The reigning Under-19s SG Ball Cup Grand Final Player of the Match, Toby Rodwell is coming off a sensational 12 months. A highly intelligent halfback, he signed a long-term Top 30 deal with the club until the end of 2028 despite not playing a single match and was named in both the 2024 Australian Schoolboys and 2025 U19s NSW Blues sides. Earmarked as the club's long-term halves partner of Sam Walker and the next big star, he can easily read the opposition defenders and has shown that he isn't afraid to run the ball in attack to go with a strong kicking game and incredible passing ability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEfASRQbUUE Set to learn the most from Daly Cherry-Evans once he arrives at the Bondi-based club, the 2024 Harry Phipps Rising Star award winner made 14 NSW Cup appearances this year. During these outings, he scored 48 points, forced five drop-outs, provided seven try assists and three line-break assists and averaged 83 running metres per match. "It was definitely surreal getting to play with someone like Siua [Wong] and Rob Toia. It was crazy getting to play off them and definitely made my job easier," Rodwell told Zero Tackle. "It's awesome (wearing the Roosters jersey). Growing up and playing Harold Matts and now SG Ball, I really love the club and all the people around it. "It's a bit of pressure (signing a long-term deal), but I also know that it's a bit of a long-term thing, and I'm just going to take it year by year."