The Roosters have locked in coach Trent Robinson until the end of 2028 with the long-serving coach starting to rival Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy for the lengthiest stints at the one club in premiership history.
Bennett spent 21 seasons at the Broncos from their foundation season of 1988 until joining the Dragons in 2009 and Robinson, who kicked off his Roosters tenure with a premiership in 2013, will be up to 16 straight years at the helm by the end of his contract extension.
Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy, who started at the Storm in 2002, will equal Bennett’s record at the end of this season and despite re-signing last year until the end of 2026, he has indicated he may retire early from head coaching to move into another role.
Already the longest-serving coach in the Roosters’ 114-year history, Robinson also won titles in 2018-19.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis said Robinson embodied the club’s ethos.
“In my view, Trent is the game’s best thinker. He is a man of high integrity with a genuine love for his players, the history of our Club and the area we represent,” he said.
“Every player that we have signed since Trent came on board as head coach in 2013 has become a better player and person, and it’s wonderful to know that Trent will continue to lead the way at the Roosters well into the future.”
For Robinson, the contract extension filled him with pride as he looks to take the Roosters to a fourth premiership after leading them to the second round of the finals in 2021 despite a heavy injury toll.
“This club has been the biggest part of my working life. It is unequivocally my home,” he said.
“The Roosters is in my DNA, and as a leader, my role here is pretty clear. Walking in to our offices every day, seeing the quality of staff and players we have here, we’re all committed to striving to be the best sporting franchise in Australia, and I’m incredibly proud to extend my time with the club.”
Titans, Broncos may have to relocate
Gold Coast head of culture Mal Meninga fears the Titans and Brisbane Broncos will need to relocate to avoid the big wet which has inundated South-East Queensland.
Meninga said on SEN Radio that both clubs were being hampered with training after Monday night’s trial between the Titans and Warriors was cancelled due to the weather.
“Cbus Stadium is in a wetland…so access to any type of training ground (will be tough),” the Immortal said. “They’ll lose some training facilities and some of the schools they train at.”
Suncorp Stadium has also been swamped with a thick layer of water covering the ground but the venue’s drainage system has kicked into gear and on Tuesday officials said they were confident next Friday’s Broncos v Rabbitohs clash would go ahead as planned.
The Titans head to Sydney in Round 1 to take on the Eels.