The Sydney Roosters are set to pull off a great recruitment coup that will greatly boost the club's fullback stocks.

The Roosters are closing in on the signing of Cody Ramsey, luring the inspirational fullback from St George Illawarra on a two-year deal, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Ramsey's story has been one of the most remarkable in recent memory. After being sidelined for 896 days due to ulcerative colitis, the 25-year-old underwent major surgery in 2023 to have his entire large bowel removed before making a triumphant return for the Dragons' NSW Cup side last season, helping them reach the Grand Final.

NRL Rd 16 – Dragons v Raiders
WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 03: Cody Ramsey of the Dragons in action during the round 16 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Canberra Raiders at WIN Stadium, on July 03, 2022, in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Despite the Dragons' desire to keep him, offering a development contract for 2026 and a pathway to a full-time deal in 2027, it's the Roosters who have secured his signature.

Ramsey's last NRL appearance came in Round 25 of 2022.

The Roosters view Ramsey as a key depth option and the ideal bridge between skipper James Tedesco and rising teenage star Rex Bassingthwaighte, who is expected to graduate to the club's top-30 roster in 2027.

1 COMMENT

  1. It’s hard for an outsider to know what has played out. We know that the Dragons kept paying and supporting him for nearly three years; rather than encouraging him to quit the game (which is what I suspect many other clubs would have done). Kudos to them for that.

    He played NSW Cup last year, so it looks like he may make it back to first grade. Maybe the Dragons thought he needed another year before he would be ready. Maybe they felt he would not ever make it back, and a Development contract was a way to keep faith with him, keep him in the NRL environment, and encourage him to think about moving into coaching, or some other role in the club.

    Maybe the Roosters see him as a mentor for young players; to impress on them the fact that they are not supermen who will automatically make a pot of gold. Perhaps to get the kids to think about life and careers and eventual replacements for NRL – and be aware that might come sooner than anyone thinks.

    Whatever has taken place, I respect both clubs for their attitude towards him – as a person rather than a player. I hope Cody leaves the Dragons on a happy note, and I hope he does well at the Roosters.

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