ROOSTERS FACE BACKLASH OVER DECISION TO LET INJURED ELLIOTT DEPART
Sydney Roosters have come under fire from fans and pundits today over their controversial call to allow Jake Elliott to leave the club, just as the promising halfback prepares to undergo a syndesmosis tightrope operation to address a serious ankle injury.
The decision to part ways with Elliott has been labelled “misguided” and “short-sighted” by the Roosters faithful, who had watched the young playmaker emerge as one of the club’s most exciting junior prospects in recent years. With his future at Bondi now confirmed to be over, Elliott will head into surgery facing an uncertain road to recovery without the support of the team that nurtured his rise.
Elliott’s time at the Roosters was marked by a string of impressive achievements that highlighted his potential as a future NRL halfback. In 2024, he was awarded the prestigious Chris Sykes Junior Representative Player of the Year Award — a recognition of his standout performances in the club’s junior ranks. Later that year, he made a memorable NSW Cup debut, kicking a match-winning field goal to secure victory in a thrilling encounter that showcased his coolness under pressure.
His progress was further rewarded with a spot in the Roosters’ NRL Top 30 squad for 2025, cementing his status as a player on the cusp of first-grade selection. As captain of the NSW Cup side, he also demonstrated strong leadership qualities, guiding his teammates through a competitive season while continuing to develop his own game as an organising halfback with sharp kicking skills and tactical awareness.
The syndesmosis injury, which requires tightrope surgery to stabilise the ankle joint, is expected to keep Elliott sidelined for several months. The timing of the Roosters’ decision to let him leave — as he faces a critical rehabilitation period — has sparked outrage among those who believe the club should have stood by a talent they had invested so heavily in developing.
As Elliott seeks a fresh start with another club, the Roosters now face questions about their commitment to nurturing junior talent and retaining promising players through injury setbacks. For a team with a reputation for developing future stars, the departure of Elliott has left many wondering if a golden opportunity to secure a long-term halfback prospect has been lost.
