# 2007 Sydney Roosters season

The 2007 Sydney Roosters season was the 100th in the club's history. They competed in the NRL's 2007 Telstra Premiership and finished 10th (out of 16).

## Season summary

The Sydney Roosters had a relatively poor start to their 100th season, not recording a win until Round 7 against the St George-Illawarra Dragons on Anzac Day. This however was juxtaposed by a rather strong period in the middle of the year winning 5 of their last 8 matches between Rounds 7 and 14.
Despite their poor start to the season, the Sydney Roosters were having a late season resurgence under newly appointed Care-Taker Coach Brad Fittler. Since Chris Anderson left the club following their 56–0 loss to Manly Sea Eagles, the Sydney Roosters were yet to lose a game in 5 consecutive matches and were a few days ago, in 10th position. That came from wins over the likes of the Cronulla Sharks, Newcastle Knights, Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers with a draw to the New Zealand Warriors. Then on 19 August, the run of being undefeated by Brad Fittler was broken, as the Gold Coast Titans claimed victory 22–18. This sits the Sydney Roosters on 11th, still a mathematical chance of making the finals.

## Ladder

2007 NRL seasonvte :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | B | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
| 1 | Melbourne Storm | 24 | 21 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 627 | 277 | +350 | 44 |
| 2 | Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles | 24 | 18 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 597 | 377 | +220 | 38 |
| 3 | North Queensland Cowboys | 24 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 547 | 618 | −71 | 32 |
| 4 | New Zealand Warriors | 24 | 13 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 593 | 434 | +159 | 29 |
| 5 | Parramatta Eels | 24 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 573 | 481 | +92 | 28 |
| 6 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 575 | 528 | +47 | 26 |
| 7 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 24 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 408 | 399 | +9 | 26 |
| 8 | Brisbane Broncos | 24 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 511 | 476 | +35 | 24 |
| 9 | Wests Tigers | 24 | 11 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 541 | 561 | −20 | 24 |
| 10 | Sydney Roosters | 24 | 10 | 1 | 13 | 1 | 445 | 610 | −165 | 23 |
| 11 | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 463 | 403 | +60 | 22 |
| 12 | Gold Coast Titans | 24 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 409 | 559 | −150 | 22 |
| 13 | St George Illawarra Dragons | 24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 431 | 509 | −78 | 20 |
| 14 | Canberra Raiders | 24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 522 | 652 | −130 | 20 |
| 15 | Newcastle Knights | 24 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 418 | 708 | −290 | 20 |
| 16 | Penrith Panthers | 24 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 539 | 607 | −68 | 18 |

## Results

| Round | Opponent | Result | Syd | Opp. | Date | Venue | Crowd |
| 1 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Loss | 6 | 18 | 19 Mar | Sydney Football Stadium | 24,127 |
| 2 | North Queensland Cowboys | Loss | 6 | 43 | 24 Mar | Willows Sports Complex | 21,396 |
| 3 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Loss | 8 | 30 | 1 Apr | Sydney Football Stadium | 11,976 |
| 4 | Brisbane Broncos | Loss | 10 | 32 | 6 Apr | Sydney Football Stadium | 11,476 |
| 5 | Canberra Raiders | Loss | 28 | 37 | 16 Apr | Canberra Stadium | 15,862 |
| 6 | Bye | | | | | | |
| 7 | St George-Illawarra Dragons | Win | 18 | 4 | 25 Apr | Sydney Football Stadium | 18,240 |
| 8 | Parramatta Eels | Loss | 10 | 28 | 5 May | Parramatta Stadium | 13,021 |
| 9 | Gold Coast Titans | Win | 24 | 18 | 13 May | Sydney Football Stadium | 6,242 |
| 10 | Melbourne Storm | Loss | 2 | 26 | 19 May | Sydney Olympic Park | 9,354 |
| 11 | Cronulla Sharks | Win | 13 | 12 | 26 May | Endeavour Field | 11,193 |
| 12 | Newcastle Knights | Loss | 18 | 22 | 2 Jun | Central Coast Stadium | 11,264 |
| 13 | North Queensland Cowboys | Win | 64 | 30 | 9 Jun | Sydney Football Stadium | 4,168 |
| 14 | Penrith Panthers | Win | 24 | 20 | 16 Jun | Penrith Stadium | 5,831 |
| 15 | Parramatta Eels | Loss | 16 | 36 | 23 Jun | Sydney Football Stadium | 12,211 |
| 16 | Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs | Loss | 6 | 38 | 2 Jul | Stadium Australia | 20,722 |
| 17 | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Loss | 0 | 56 | 7 Jul | Brookvale Oval | 9,932 |
| 18 | Cronulla Sharks | Win | 23 | 12 | 14 Jul | Sydney Football Stadium | 8,421 |
| 19 | Newcastle Knights | Win | 20 | 17 | 21 Jul | Newcastle International Sports Centre | 15,171 |
| 20 | Melbourne Storm | Win | 26 | 16 | 27 Jul | Sydney Football Stadium | 8,824 |
| 21 | New Zealand Warriors | Draw | 31 | 31 | 5 Aug | Sydney Football Stadium | 15,142 |
| 22 | Wests Tigers | Win | 26 | 22 | 10 Aug | Stadium Australia | 25,166 |
| 23 | Gold Coast Titans | Loss | 18 | 22 | 19 Aug | Carrara Stadium | 17,425 |
| 24 | Penrith Panthers | Loss | 22 | 28 | 25 August | Sydney Football Stadium | |
| 25 | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Win | 26 | 12 | 1 September | Stadium Australia | |

## Notable events

* Sydney Roosters celebrate their 100th year in the competition
* In round 7 the Roosters defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons 18–4. This victory marked the 1,000th win in the club's history. The Roosters were the first club to achieve this feat.
* The Roosters scored an unprecedented 64 points in round 13 against the Cowboys. This was the third highest number of points scored in a single game by the Roosters.
* In the Roosters round 14 victory over the Penrith Panthers, the Sydney Roosters recorded their first back to back win since 2005.
* The Roosters 56-point thrashing by Manly was their second worst defeat by Manly, and the Roosters seventh worst loss of all time. Following this loss, Chris Anderson resigned as coach with club legend Brad Fittler named as coach for the rest of the season.
* On 14 July the Sydney Roosters defeated the Cronulla Sharks 23–12. This result after a restless week at the Roosters marked Brad Fittler's first win as a first grade coach.
* With the round 20 victory over the competition leaders and premiership favourites, the Melbourne Storm (26–16), the Sydney Roosters recorded their first three consecutive wins since the finals series in 2004, a run which was halted by the Grand Final loss to the Canterbury Bulldogs.
* In round 22, the Roosters became the first team in NRL history to go to Golden Point extra-time for two consecutive matches. They went on to win the match with a Joel Monaghan try.
* In round 23, Brad Fittler tasted defeat for the first time in his coaching career, a loss to the Gold Coast Titans, 22–18.
* On 28 August 2007, caretaker head coach Brad Fittler AM was appointed as the head coach for season 2008 (101st season for the Sydney Roosters).

## Wins

* Round 07, Sydney Roosters 18 defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 4 at Sydney Football Stadium
* Round 09, Sydney Roosters 24 defeated Gold Coast Titans 18 at Sydney Football Stadium
* Round 11, Sydney Roosters 13 defeated Cronulla Sharks 12 at Toyota Park
* Round 13, Sydney Roosters 64 defeated North Queensland Cowboys 30 at Sydney Football Stadium
* Round 14, Sydney Roosters 24 defeated Penrith Panthers 20 at CUA Stadium
* Round 18, Sydney Roosters 23 defeated Cronulla Sharks 12 at Sydney Football Stadium
* Round 19, Sydney Roosters 20 defeated Newcastle Knights 17 at Energy Australia Stadium
* Round 20, Sydney Roosters 26 defeated Melbourne Storm 16 at Sydney Football Stadium
* Round 22, Sydney Roosters 26 defeated Wests Tigers 22 at Telstra Stadium

## Draws

* Round 21, Sydney Roosters 31 drew with the New Zealand Warriors at the Sydney Football Stadium

## Players

The following is the Sydney Roosters squad named for the 2007 season. For Player Contracts see below in the external links section for details.
| No. | Position | Player 989 Craig Fitzgibbon – SR (c) 990 Craig Wing – HK 994 Anthony Minichiello – FB 995 Chris Flannery – SR 1033 Lopini Paea – SR 1035 Anthony Tupou – SR 1038 Heath L'Estrange – HK 1040 Sam Perrett – WG 1044 Joel Monaghan – WG 1045 Nigel Plum – SR 1046 Amos Roberts – WG 1047 Iosia Soliola – CE 1049 Jamie Soward – FE # |
| No. | Position | Player 1052 Mickey Paea – SR 1053 David Shillington – PR 1055 Braith Anasta – FE 1056 Ashley Harrison – LK (vc) 1057 Charlie Tonga – PR 1060 Vince Mellars – CE 1068 Chris Beattie – PR 1070 Nate Myles – SR 1071 Danny Nutley – PR 1072 Mitchell Pearce – HB John Williams – WG |
* Jamie Soward as of 28 May has left the Sydney Roosters. He is now a member of the St George Illawarra Dragons.
* Josh Lewis as of 14 May gained a release from the Sydney Roosters and with immediate effect will play for the Gold Coast Titans
* Nigel Plum as of 5 June sought and was granted a release from the Sydney Roosters and has immediately signed with the Canberra Raiders.
* Chris Flannery as of 15 June has been granted a release from the Sydney Roosters. Flannery, a seasoned origin player for Queensland has since signed with St. Helens in the Super League.

## Player Summary

| Sydney Roosters 2007 | Appearance | Interchange | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points |
| Braith Anasta | 19 | – | 5 | – | 2 | 22 |
| Mitchell Aubusson | 10 | 7 | 3 | – | – | 12 |
| Chris Beattie | 1 | 5 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Willie Brown | – | 2 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Craig Fitzgibbon | 23 | – | 2 | 57 | – | 122 |
| Ashley Harrison | 13 | 7 | 4 | – | – | 16 |
| Shaun Kenny-Dowall | 14 | – | 8 | – | – | 32 |
| Heath L'Estrange | 6 | 2 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Josh Lewis | 1 | – | 1 | – | – | 4 |
| Anthony Minichiello | 10 | – | 2 | – | 1 | 9 |
| Joel Monaghan | 20 | – | 14 | – | – | 56 |
| Nate Myles | 7 | 8 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Danny Nutley | 17 | 7 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Frank-Paul Nuuausala | 1 | 2 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Lopini Paea | 7 | 15 | 3 | – | – | 12 |
| Mickey Paea | – | 5 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Mitchell Pearce | 13 | 3 | 2 | – | – | 8 |
| Sam Perrett | 24 | – | 9 | – | – | 36 |
| Nigel Plum | 1 | 3 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Amos Roberts | 20 | 1 | 7 | 8 | – | 44 |
| Setaimata Sa | 7 | 7 | 1 | – | – | 4 |
| Shane Shackleton | 6 | 14 | 1 | – | – | 4 |
| David Shillington | 21 | – | 1 | – | – | 4 |
| Iosia Soliola | 13 | – | 1 | – | – | 4 |
| Jamie Soward | 1 | – | – | – | – | 0 |
| Charlie Tonga | – | 2 | – | – | – | 0 |
| Anthony Tupou | 21 | 1 | 4 | – | – | 16 |
| Danny Williams | – | 5 | – | – | – | 0 |
| John Williams | 12 | – | 5 | – | – | 20 |
| Craig Wing | 24 | – | 5 | – | – | 20 |
| Total | 312 | 96 | 78 | 65 | 3 | 445 |

## Player Movements
### Incoming

| Name | Club Coming From | Details |
| Mark O'Meley | Bulldogs | 4-year contract, begins 2008 |
| James Aubusson | Melbourne Storm | 3-year contract, begins 2008 |
| Willie Mason | Bulldogs | 3-year contract, begins 2008 |

### Outgoing

| Name | Club Going To | Details |
| Craig Wing | South Sydney Rabbitohs | 4-year contract, begins 2008 |
| Joel Monaghan | Canberra Raiders | 3-year contract, begins 2008 |
| Jamie Soward | St George-Illawarra Dragons | 2-year contract, effective immediately |
| Josh Lewis | Gold Coast Titans | 3-year contract, effective immediately |
| Nigel Plum | Canberra Raiders | 2-year contract, effective immediately |
| Chris Flannery | St Helens R.F.C. | 4-year contract, effective immediately |
| Heath L'Estrange | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | 2-year Contract begins 2008 |

## Representative Players

The following is a list of Sydney Rooster players who have played for Australia or New Zealand and other nations, New South Wales or Queensland and City or Country in representative levels of football during the 2007 calendar year. This is correct as of 15 May 2007

### International

Australia
* Anthony Tupou
New Zealand
* Iosia Soliola

### State of Origin

New South Wales
* Anthony Minichiello
* Braith Anasta
* Anthony Tupou
Queensland
* Nate Myles

### City Vs Country

City
* Anthony Minichiello
* Braith Anasta
* Craig Wing
Country
* Amos Roberts
* Craig Fitzgibbon

## Staff
### Coaching Staff

Head coach – Brad Fittler AM (10 July 2007 – ) Head coach – Chris Anderson (16 March 2007 – 9 July 2007) Physical Performance Manager – Ronald Palmer Strength and Conditioning coach – Richard Harris Strength and Conditioning coach – Ben Gardiner Jersey Flegg and NRL Assistant coach – James Pickering Club Physotherapist – Tony Ayoub Football Manager – Troy Rovelli Team doctor – Dr John Orchid Recruitment and Retention – Arthur Beetson OAM

### Assistant Staff/ Consultants

Luke Phillips Luke Ricketson Adrian Lam Phil Gould

### Executive

CEO – Brian Canavan Chairman – Nick Politis
List incomplete