History of The Sydney Roosters - The Glory Years

The Glory Years

The 1970s would become a very successful decade for the Roosters, competing in four Grand Finals, two in which they went on to become premiers, and fielding a team that will be remembered as one of the greatest ever. Reaching the Grand Final against Manly in 1972, Easts led early on before a series of mistakes and lost opportunites saw valiant comeback by Manly who went on to win 19-14.

With the introduction of Easts Leagues Club which would become their backbone of success for years to come, the Roosters were able to bring back Jack Gibson to the Bondi-based club and along with a team including the likes of Mark Harris, John Brass, Bill Mullins, Russell Fairfax, Johnny Mayes, John Peard, Ron Coote, Ian Schubert and captain Arthur Beetson. A recipe for success was slowly building.

In 1974 and 1975 the Roosters would dominate the competition like no team had before them. Losing only five regular season matches over both years, the Roosters were able to steamroll their way to the 1975 Premiership on the back of a premiership record of 19 wins in a row which was only eventually stopped in the first semi-final with the loss coming at the hands of St. George. The Roosters were able to exact revenge though, with both teams meeting up weeks later in the Grand Final; a match remembered famously for Graeme "Changa" Langlands' white boots. The Roosters destroyed the Dragons with a 38 points to nil win.

While the 1976 season may not have brought premiership success it did see the introduction of jersey sponsorship in the game, the Roosters once again leading the field, negotiated a $50 000 a season deal with the City Ford company. The move met with some opposition at first but the other clubs quickly followed and today jersey sponsorship is common place in the game.

Remaining competitive throughout the remainder of the decade, the Roosters returned to the Grand Final scene in 1980. Taking on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs team known as the "Entertainers", the Roosters were easily disposed of, being defeated 18-4 in the decider. In 1981 the Roosters were thought to get a chance of redemption after winning the minor premiership, however, crucial losses at the back end of the season saw them watching the Grand Final from the grandstands. 1982 would see the Roosters field one of their most competitive teams for a long period of time. Making the preliminary final against defending premiers Parramatta, the Roosters were sent packing with a 33–0 defeat. It would be a long wait for Roosters fans before they would once again see a genuine premiership contending team.