The Sydney Roosters have tonight elevated six of the best players to ever don the Red, White and Blue into the Club's prestigious Hall of Fame at the International Convention Centre.
They join inaugural inductees Dally Messenger, Dave Brown, Jack Gibson, Arthur Beetson, Brad Fittler who were named in the Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame in 2010 as well as Ray Stehr, Dick Dunn, Ron Coote and Kevin Hastings who were inducted in 2012.
Arthur 'Pony' Halloway - Hall of Fame Inductee #10
Arthur ‘Pony’ Halloway, Sydney Rooster #61, was an opportunistic halfback who played a total of 36 games for Easts, having a hand in the Club’s 1912 and 1913 titles before switching to a coaching role.
Following a seven-year hiatus from the Country’s first grade competition, Halloway would return to Easts in 1930, taking charge of the Club in an effort to bring them more success.
Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame Inductee #10 - Arthur Halloway
Known to never harp on faults or overpraise cleverness, Halloway coached 154 games for Easts across four stints at the Club, most notably steering the Tricolours to Premiership victories in 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1945.
He was inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2008 and was recognised in Australian Rugby League’s 100 Greatest Players (2008).
Sidney 'Sandy' Pearce - Hall of Fame Inductee #11
Sid ‘Sandy’ Pearce, Sydney Rooster #10 was regarded as the ‘Prince of Hookers’ and seen by many as one of the most durable forwards to have played the game in the 20th century.
The three-time premiership winner played 157 games for Easts from 1908-1921 and retired from rugby league as the game’s most capped player.
He played 158 games for Easts between 1908 and 1921, retiring as the game’s most capped player and the first person to reach the 100 and 150 game milestones for the Club.
Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame Inductee #11 - Sidney Pearce
Renowned for his dominance in the ruck and sheer determination, Pearce was an integral figure in the Eastern Suburbs’ early success, scoring his first try in the Club’s second ever match.
Pearce brought the Club’s first silverware, foregoing Kangaroo Touring obligations to play every match between 1911 and 1913, the same three year span the Tricolours claimed consecutive premierships.
Sidney 'Joe' Pearce Jr - Hall of Fame Inductee #12
Son of legendary hooker Sandy Pearce, Sydney Rooster #193 - Sidney ‘Joe’ Pearce - started his career as a fullback with Easts in 1929, but quickly found a home amongst the forward pack.
Recognised for his outstanding ball-playing and sure-handling ability, Pearce featured in 148 first grade games for the Club from 1929-1942, claiming Premierships in 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1940.
Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame Inductee #12 - Sidney Pearce Jr
After battling with injuries, Pearce retired from playing to take up a coaching role at Easts in 1942. He coached 30 total games across three years, most notable leading the Club to the Grand Final in his first season as Coach.
Pearce was recognised in the Sydney Roosters Centurions and Team of the 20th Century as a second rower and has been inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame.
John Brass - Hall of Fame Inductee #13
John Brass, Sydney Rooster #595, joined the Roosters in 1969 after making the switch from rugby union.
A classy centre recognised for his slick handling skills and rock-solid defence, Brass played 143 first grade games for Easts and is remembered for kicking two goals in the Roosters’ 1974 Grand Final win, and for scoring a double in the 1975 decider to help the Club secure consecutive Premierships.
Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame Inductee #13 - John Brass
He captained the Roosters, New South Wales and Australia. He also played a key role for the Roosters in the inaugural World Club Challenge match played in 1976, kicking five goals in the famous victory against St Helens.
He concluded his career with 33 tries, 295 goals and 17 field goals, earning selection into the Sydney Roosters Centurions. Brass served on the Super League, then the NRL, board until 2005.
Craig Fitzgibbon - Hall of Fame Inductee #14
Craig Fitzgibbon, Sydney Rooster #989, established himself as a great leader, Clubman and a fierce competitor, and one of the most admired players in the modern era.
Fitzgibbon played 228 games for the Club across ten years. He was a prime contributor to the Roosters’ drought-breaking Premiership in 2002 and was justly rewarded with the Clive Churchill Medal after amassing a tally of 14 points in the decider with a try and five goals.
Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame Inductee #14 - Craig Fitzgibbon
Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame Inductee #14 - Craig Fitzgibbon
The well-respected Club figure transitioned into a coaching role following his retirement, becoming Trent Robinson’s right-hand man to help the Club secure a further three Premierships in 2013, 2018 and 2019.
Anthony Minichiello - Hall of Fame Inductee #15
Drafted into the Club’s SG Ball side at the age of 16, Anthony Minichiello rose through the Roosters’ ranks at a rapid pace, making his NRL debut on the wing in Round 4 of the 2000 season.
He continued to build on his dominant form, helping the Tricolours obtain the 2002 Premiership, before a move to fullback the following year would see his game rocket to another level.
Sydney Roosters Hall of Fame Inductee #15 - Anthony Minichiello
Minichiello assumed the Sydney Roosters Captaincy in 2013, a year which saw the team score a record six shut-outs and secure the Club Championship and Minor Premiership on their way to winning the title.
In his 302 first grade games, the dynamic and unpredictable ball-runner featured in six Grand Finals and recorded 139 NRL tries, retiring as the Club’s most-capped player and highest all-time try-scorer.
