The Sydney Roosters welcomed a new name to their NRL ranks over the weekend, with 23-year-old winger Tom Rodwell making his long-awaited debut in the Round 18 clash against the Wests Tigers.
The Rodwell name is well known in rugby league circles, and Tom’s debut adds another chapter to the family’s storied involvement in the game.
The milestone was more than just a personal achievement — it marked the continuation of a proud rugby league lineage in the Rodwell ranks.
Tom is the son of former Illawarra Steelers and South Sydney Rabbitohs centre Brett Rodwell, who played 156 first-grade games and represented New South Wales in State of Origin during a distinguished career in the 1980s and 1990s.
MORE: Fainu brothers make history in Tigers win over the Roosters
Brett Rodwell was a no-nonsense, powerful centre and tough defender, widely respected within the game after bursting onto the scene in 1989.
On the weekend, Tom showed he is ready to blaze his own trail in rugby league, with a slight frame built for speed and try-scoring flair that could see him develop into a genuine highlight machine.
Unfortunately, the Roosters were unable to come away with victory, going down 30-28 to the Wests Tigers in a nail-biting finish after a last minute James Tedesco try threatened to spring an almighty comeback.
Despite the loss, Tom produced a very promising debut performance, recording two line breaks — one resulting in a try — and looking far more comfortable than most debutants.
Tom’s younger brother Toby is also in line for future first-grade honours, continuing to develop through the Roosters’ junior pathways as a highly regarded halfback prospect.
It seems destined that we will soon see another set of brothers join the NRL ranks, with the Rodwell siblings aiming to add their names to the distinguished list of rugby league family legacies.
The pedigree is certainly there, and with the Roosters pushing a youth movement that saw ten rookies take the field in their loss to the Tigers on the weekend, the future looks bright for the Rodwell clan.