NRL premiers Sydney Roosters have finally locked in a new one-year contract with their veteran captain Anthony Minichiello.
The deal will keep 33-year-old fullback Minichiello at the club where he has played all 275 of his first grade games until the end of next season – his 15th in the top grade.
He is behind only former player Luke Ricketson (301) for most games for the club and could conceivably pass him in 2014 if he stays fit. He also holds the Roosters’ record for most tries with 122.
“My heart is and always will be with the Roosters,” said Minichiello, who led the club to grand final glory over Manly on October 6.
“I’ve grown up here and it’s my home.”
Salary cap constraints are believed to be the reason for the delay in confirming Minichiello’s deal.
His re-signing came on the same day the club announced Tinirau Arona and Michael Oldfield had been granted immediate releases from their contracts.
Arona will link up with Cronulla in 2014 while winger Oldfield has signed a two-year deal with French Super League side Catalans Dragons.
A former Golden Boot and Dally M Fullback of the Year, Minichiello was delighted to continue building the culture developed by new coach Trent Robinson this year.
“There’s a strong bond amongst our players here and I’m really excited that I’ll again lead the boys for another season,” Minichiello said.
Roosters chairman Nick Politis lauded one-club player Minichiello as “the ultimate role model for the Roosters and the game”.
Robinson said: “Mini is our leader and such a big part of our club. He has an incredible work ethic and I’m really pleased that his experience will continue to benefit the team around him.”
Jack
Guest
Matt
Guest
And yet you still haven't answered the question that has been put to you manlyman101 you have no credibility at all mate, you're nothing but a sore loser that has absolutely no idea about the game!
Pickett
Guest
They sure were rolling their eyes - that ridiculous penalty try awarded against the Roosters had even Manly fans rolling their eyes.
Muzz
Guest
Scotty, "Lets be fair dinkum" Mini was the fullback and captain of the premier and minor premiership winning 2013 team with the best +/- and Roger was the Dally M winger of the year so only someone like Brian Smith would experiment with swap in positions.... Mini's role isn't to scare anyone with the ball is his hand,the team is loaded with strike power and Mini is as safe as a bank as last man in D.....Did you see him mow Merritt down in round 26,he is still pretty quick!!!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Muzz, nayfo I think the Roosters missed some opportunities in 2013 to play Roger at fullback after the team had a big lead and a certain victory. Mini playing on the wing can help him. It is the ideal opportunity to mentor him. look, lets be fair dinkum, Mini does NOT scare anybody when he has the ball and a fullback should. To be honest, I dont know if Roger will be a genuine fullback, but if he can make the move then he will be a world beater. The best way for him to learn is to play there and have Mini as his mentor.
In Brief
Guest
Bit of a risk signing Mini. He'll need to be released 3 or 4 times a season to represent Italy in the European Cup.
manlyman101
Guest
Your a great man Mr badseed.
john badseed
Guest
Just Karma…it bites hard until the end.Pity you'll never be able to mention that game outside Easts Leagues.
Muzz
Guest
Paranoia paranoia everybody's coming to get me....
john badseed
Guest
Anyone watching the GF outside bondi were rolling their eyes. three GFs this decade were rorts. three teams robbed. the game dragged through the mud and other codes use the disgrace as reasons League is tainted. Fans of the game outside bondi have big issues with this GF and not just those who had their hard earneds stolen. the game's on par with used car salesmen and denizens of Silvania Waters. It used to be a heartland game , now just a game for spivs and the white shoe brigade. easts' title was bought and paid for with the blood of Rugby League. sack Hayne and give back the trophy you stole.
Matt
Guest
I watched manly lose the grand final mate, but again you're avoiding the question! If the comps are rigged then obviously manly are in on it considering they have won twice in the cheating period you have described starting with the storm and now the roosters.
manlyman101
Guest
You watched the grand final didn't you its right there for all to see
Matt
Guest
Yeah manlyman101 if it's rigged how do you explain the comps that manly have won????
The eye
Guest
Well,if SKD had injuries he kept them quiet,playing a full 27 games and rumoured to have been shopped around mid season..Kennedys stat is 16,not deemed good enough to make the GF squad and since punted to the Broncos...really doubt either would be pleased with the quality of their '13 football.Overall Robbo was great in cohesing the talent together,defence co-ordination outstanding..looking forward to see how he develops Tupou,Napa Moga and RTS next season,and I truly believe we haven't seen the best of Jenno yet. Manly,Storm and the Dogs look weaker on paper than they were this year whereas this Roosters side look just as strong,great football coming up
Muzz
Guest
Well if it is rigged then Manly have been the biggest cheats in the last 10 years winning 2 premierships which is more than any other team.....See how crazy it sounds now......Good night MM101
manlyman101
Guest
As for the draw we have had the worst one for years even des used to snap about it.
manlyman101
Guest
The game was rigged cash is king and if they can do it in soccer overseas which is ten times bigger than league then it can be done! No one thought storm could of been cheating (I knew) and that came out.. look at this asada thing. Don't speak to soon your so called premier ship could yet be revoked! Look at the other games this year.. even the manly souths final was a farce the way the refs tried there very best to bring them back into the game was atrocious. But unlike the roosters they couldn't do it. In redfern all the stores had already recieved grandfinal week merchandise and a parade was organised.. bit strange? Manly owned them! How bout old Toovey losing his mind after that souths game in round whatever.. and he was right. Asta munyana muzz
Muzz
Guest
Say's the best defence in the comp would of recovered from that....Yes the list does go on but you only manage to list the calls that favour the Roosters....Stop and have a think at how crazy it is to suggest a GF is rigged,how do they coordinate such a scam and how much is at stake if someone comes forward one day and blows the whistle......You lost fare and square x 4 games,were the other three matches rigged????? If Manly doesn't win a GF and do well in the Dally M awards then its paranoia time and the entire world is against the Sea Eagles....In regards to the draw take a look at Toovey on your website,he looks pretty happy to me.... If Manly had the opportunity to play a WCC in Aust we would all be happy for you but some would say that your board is to dysfunctional and wouldn't be able to negotiate such a deal....
manlyman101
Guest
Gave manly two tries muzz plz the so called penalty try wasnt a try its a professional foul ten in the bin and a penalty. Ten minutes with 12 men the roosters wouldn't of recovered from that. Look at origin! Nsw scored twice in that time.. shane hayne did you a favour. If it was a penalty try why wasn't it 8 points? How bout the forward pass to level the game? Jennings taking out Lyon whenever he could the list goes on. If it was a fair game it would of been 30 plus. How bout jwh headbutting horo?? Roosters penalty? Hmmm I think you need to watch the gf again I've seen it too many times that its become a joke and I just laugh. The Nrl wanted the roosters to win they feed it to us all year. Look at the dally m's. Cordner is better than sbw ? Since when? T.sheck finished with 9 tries and was crowned best winger.. that's an insult to the 5 players who scored 20 tries. They did the same with the dogs the year before. Money talks cash is king and until you all understand good luck to you. Manly the most dominate team for the last 8 years! Oh and why do the roosters get to play the WCC In AUST? And why do they get to play parra twice in the first 6 weeks? Just too rack up the for and against.
nayfo
Guest
grand final win is not bad as a "bottom 8 team' bahaha keep on whingeing manly will be the bottom 8 team next year. oh and enough with whingeing about roosters buying up players every team is doing it. lmao