Sonny Disposition: Top Five SBW Moments

He spent three seasons at the Club and conquered two codes - this time around, we're looking at the one and only Sonny Bill Williams.

Despite featuring in just 50 matches in the Red, White and Blue, SBW is regarded as one of the most influential players in the Club's history, and we've conjured up five of his best moments as a Rooster.

SBW in Red, White and Blue - Round 1, 2013 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

It was the moment everyone in Rugby League was waiting for throughout the entire off-season, and it certainly made an impact when Sonny Bill Williams took to the field for the first time after a five-year hiatus from the NRL.

Up against rivals Souths in the first match of the 2013 season, the new-look Roosters were unable to claim victory on the night, but the influence of their new prized recruit brought over 35,000 Members and supporters to Allianz Stadium.

Coming on in the second half from the interchange bench, the superstar forward got quite the reception as he made his first official appearance in the famous Red, White and Blue.

Growing as the contest went on, he even touched down for a late try, running a strong line through the defence - in a promising sign of things to come. 

Double on the Dogs - Round 6, 2013 vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

There were plenty of eyes on this mouth-watering clash as the Roosters hosted the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, with Sonny Bill taking on his former Club for the first time since exiting in 2008. 

With a point to prove against a hostile crowd, SBW was the star in a 38-nil demolition job against the previous year's Grand Finalists - the Roosters’ biggest defeat of the Bulldogs since 1935. 

Now in the starting lineup on the right edge, the breakout second rower made an early statement with a scintillating cutout pass to provide Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with the first try of the match as the Tricolours took an 8-nil halftime lead. 

He replicated his early first-half form, contributing to the first points in the second half, diving over in the corner before making a young fan’s night with a high five in a memorable moment. 

The momentum continued as the Tricolours racked up a 20-point lead with as many minutes remaining, but that soon changed when SBW charged through just metres from the line with four defenders on top of him to complete his double and one of his finest performances. 

Sonny in the Six - Round 15, 2013 vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 

The return match against the Bulldogs midway through the season was one to remember as well, but for different reasons. 

Without a number of players due to State of Origin commitments including James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, SBW made a notable shift into the halves, with his ball-playing a highlight in this contest. 

Not only was he out of position, but the towering forward was battling both illness and injury heading into the contest, but that didn't stop him from starring alongside Daniel Mortimer. 

With a slight 10-6 lead just after the break, Williams took matters into his own hands with a destructive run before a one-handed offload unleashed speedster Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to step through and score what would be the match-winner.

Stepping Up on the Big Stage - Grand Final, 2013 vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Renowned as one of the big-name players in both Rugby League and rugby union, Sonny Bill Williams fulfilled the promise of delivering a Premiership to Bondi in his first year.

After an uncharacteristically quiet first half from the Red, White and Blue, the side clicked into gear - and heading into the final quarter, it was SBW who stepped up to give the Roosters the lead.

Trailing by four and behind halfway, Williams ran onto a Sam Moa pass to burst through the attempted tackles to send James Maloney through with a superb offload which eventually ended with Shaun Kenny-Dowall touching down.

Moments later the dual international burst into the backfield and streamed through on a 35-metres charge, and off the back of his superb effort, the Tricolours were back on the board with the Premiership-sealing four-pointer. 

He wasn't done there though, coming in cover to produce a try-saving tackle at the death alongside Mitchell Pearce and Anthony Minichiello in the perfect end to a memorable season. 

The Return - Round 17, 2020 vs Canberra Raiders 

Season 2020 had plenty of curveballs for the Sydney Roosters, but one of the highlights came mid-year with the return of Sonny Bill Williams in the Red, White and Blue. 

Over five years since his last game for the Roosters 35 years young, Williams was a surprise signing for Trent Robinson's men after finding himself without a club following the competition's hiatus during the global pandemic. 

He found himself taking the field for the first time since 2014 in the famous colours as the Roosters headed down to the nation's capital to face the Canberra Raiders in a 2019 Grand Final rematch. 

Coming from the interchange bench on a chilly night, SBW even played a part in the match-winning try, launching a pass from dummy half to find James Tedesco, who toed ahead and regathered to seal the result, 18-6.

Williams went on to play a further four matches throughout 2020, retiring at year's end from Rugby League after a glittering 17-year-career. 

Bonus Entry: Sealing the Minor Premiership - Round 26, 2013 vs South Sydney Rabbitohs

Four weeks prior to his dominant Grand Final performance, SBW stepped up in another big match at ANZ Stadium to deliver the Tricolours their first Minor Premiership since 2004.

Up against rivals Souths in a bid for the JJ Giltinan Shield in front of 59,000 odd Members and supporters, both sides went hammer and tong in an intense first half which saw the Roosters trail by just two points.

But that deficit soon changed when James Maloney touched down - and soon enough Williams had his hands all over the try that would seal the result and the Minor Premiership for the Roosters.

On the very next set, the Red, White and Blue charged downfield, with Williams stepping before the line and bursting through, shrugging off two defenders and drawing the fullback as Mitchell Pearce touched down for a memorable four-pointer.