Reece Robson believes he can farewell North Queensland with a premiership next season, but says the prospect of being part of Trent Robinson’s Sydney Roosters rebuild was too good to refuse.
In his first interview since signing a four-year deal to join the Tricolours in 2026, Robson revealed how Robinson convinced him to knock back a three-year offer on the table at the Cowboys.
NSW State of Origin hooker Reece Robson will join the Sydney Roosters.Credit: Getty
The NSW and Australian hooker said his desire to evolve as a player convinced him to trade Townsville for Bondi.
“I’ve loved my time up here under Toddy [coach Todd Payten] and [general manager] Micheal Luck,” Robson said.
“They’ve been great and gave me my real shot in the NRL and the opportunity to play my best football. I owe them a lot for that, and that’s why it was so hard for me to make the decision to leave the Cowboys. When I came to this club from the Dragons, I made a decision to step out of my comfort zone.
“I’d like to think that challenge brought the best out in me. Now I’m probably at a point where I can step out of that comfort zone again and elevate my game to another level with a different perspective on football and playing a different style. It’s no disrespect to the Cowboys.
Reece Robson in action for the Cowboys.Credit: Getty
“Both the Roosters and Cowboys are in strong positions to contend for premierships, but I made the decision for what I feel is the best thing for my own development.”
In Robson, the Roosters believe they have found a player who replicates the qualities of former skipper and No.9 Jake Friend through his toughness and uncompromising approach.
Robson is also the first major signing following the departures of Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Jared Wearea-Hargreaves, Terrell May and Sitili Tupouniua.
While Robson wanted to know how the club planned to overcome the loss of such a large number of senior players, he was encouraged by their strategy of investing in their promising crop of young players.
Reece Robson on Kangaroos duty earlier this year.Credit: NRL Photos
“Speaking to Trent and Nick and getting a taste of what they are trying to build at the Roosters, it was very exciting,” Robson said.
“One of the questions you ask given the amount of senior and great players that have moved on is about what the future looks like at the club, given Luke Keary, Jared, Suaalii and Manu have gone.
“I chatted to Trent about the talent coming through their junior ranks and hearing their views about their plans to fill those gaps and the football they will play, it made me excited about going to that side.”
The 26-year-old, who chatted to Keary while considering whether to accept the Roosters’ offer, said his connection to several of the club’s Origin players was a factor in the decision.
Robson was in camp with Keary (Blues squad member) and played alongside Spencer Leniu, Angus Crichton, James Tedesco and Suaalii in NSW’s series victory this year.
“The thing that I came back to talk to my family about after speaking with Trent and Nick Politis was how excited I was by Trent’s vision for how he wanted to use me,” Robson said.
“He doesn’t want to just play me in a box. He said he will back me to play my best footy, and we’ll play off the back of that. That excites me. The way the Cowboys and Roosters play is probably a bit different, but that’s what I was talking about earlier when I said that I wanted to step out of my comfort zone.
“There’s more than one way to play the game, and I’m excited to learn a new way when the time comes. For now, my focus is at the Cowboys.”
Robson insisted he had no intention of seeking an early release from the final year of his Cowboys deal.
“I want to do the right thing by them,” Robson said. “I want to go out on the right note. We’re aiming high and I think I can finish my time at the club with a premiership. We have the team to do it. I have loved my time at this club and I owe them everything I have for 12 more months.”
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