Roosters confirm departure of nine players

The Sydney Roosters have confirmed the departure of nine players from their 2018 squad, with Blake Ferguson and Ryan Matterson headlining the list changes.

Ferguson will join the Eels in 2019 after 91 appearances and 51 tries for the Roosters, while Matterson moves to the Tigers after 60 games and 10 four-pointers for Sydney.

Joining the duo are Sean O'Sullivan, Reece Robinson, Kurt Baptiste, Mitchell Cornish, Eloni Vunakece, Paul Momirovski and Frank-Paul Nuuausala.

Nuuausala, Vunakece and Cornish have all announced their retirements from football, with all three pursuing jobs away from the sport.

O'Sullivan has officially joined the Broncos after his one appearance and one try for the club.