Four Roosters academy alumni start together in NRL semi-final against Penrith
Four Sydney Roosters academy graduates start together in Sunday's semi-final against Penrith.
Four players who grew up together in the Sydney Roosters academy are making their mark at the business end of the season. Siua Wong, 23, Robert Toia, 22, and Salesi Foketi, 20, start Sunday's semi-final against Penrith at CommBank Stadium, with Benaiah Ioelu, 22, named on the bench.
The academy was established in 2021 after the club visited Barcelona's facilities to develop homegrown talent. Club chairman Nick Politis and the board would dine with academy residents at least once a month, with Politis emphasising family values.
The Roosters aim to eventually field 17 academy graduates on the field at once. Homegrown players Hugo Savala, Victor Radley, and Billy Smith also feature in the lineup.
- 2021
- Academy established
- 3 players (Wong, Toia, Foketi)
- Starting academy players
- Benaiah Ioelu, 22
- Benched academy player
- 17 academy players on field
- Ultimate squad goal
Why it mattersIt proves the Roosters' academy investment works, and shows other NRL clubs the value of developing their own players rather than buying success.
AustraliaThe success of Roosters academy graduates may prompt other Australian NRL clubs to invest in youth development systems.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 11 d ago
