Even though he was only at the Roosters for two years, the impact Sonny Bill Williams had on the professionalism of the Bondi club has been a big factor in the team’s resurgence this year, according to Roosters veteran Mitch Aubusson.
Asked this week about the reasons behind the rapid turnaround from their 15th-place finish last year to a second-place ladder finish and preliminary final berth, Aubusson said the pain and experience of last year and improved ability win big moments were big factors, plus some smart recruiting in Luke Keary and Michael Gordon.
He also spoke to the culture at the club — one that he, along with the likes of Jake Friend and Mitch Pearce have been a key part of building since they were teenagers.
And in particular the influence of one star recruit back in 2013.
