They’ve flown under the radar during pre-season but, as PETER ROWE found out, player-coach Duane Butler is looking to build a new dynasty for one of the Fuel to Go and Play Premiership’s most successful teams.
Newly qualified electrician Duane Butler is hoping to spark a revival at Treeby Oval in 2026 after what he openly described as a ‘disappointing season’ last time out.
With now retired player Alan Cowan as club president, the Roosters have worked to retain many of their core players with names like Kerr, Riggs, Taomia , Parkinson and Woolley signed to go round again.
Add North Beach’s Roydon Gillett to the list and big centre Joe Pouhila – plus of course club legend Delane Edwards and they have the nucleus of a very good side.
Wiremu Paki has gone to Kalamunda and Luke-David Wells-Talamaivao has switched to South Perth – and player of the year Eli Beattie has moved to Queensland, but Butler has high hopes for a better season than the disappointment of last August.
“It think it’s fair to say we have had a slow start to the year, but we are working hard now. More numbers and 17s players have also been training with us,” Butler said.
“We are trying to build juniors pathways – they are the future – so it’s important we work with them.”
Butler is pleased to see some returning players, looking to offer more with less FIFO rosters, Sony Kerr and Joe Pouhila two we could see a lot more of this season.
“Joey’s a quality player, a big body on the edges and that will certainly help us, he said.
Ryan Woolley has been given the fullback role and while Edwards might not figure in every game, he is still a massive influence at the club.
“Delane can still do a job from 1 to 17, even at 40 years of age. He’s always here offering advice, a true club man,” Butler said.
“How many games will he play? It’s up to him and how he manages his body.”
Butler will again play in his usual lock role and will have Karl Harding and Brent Musto assisting on the sidelines as the Roosters look to build an organisation with more versatility.
“Players who can drop into a number of roles when needed,” Butler explained.
“I think with the reduced interchange to 10 this season, we need to look at how we manage that.
“Outside backs will need to play 80 minutes, we can’t waste interchanges like we did last year when a few time we stuffed up our rotations.
“You might see smaller players used more, rather than the big boppas.”
Butler knows consistency – or the lack of it – let them down in 2025, so he has been working hard with this squad to build systems to eliminate that.
“Extra teams is also different, so we are not playing each other every other week. That will mean more work from the coaches to review the opposition and make changes as required,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be an even comp and we will see some exciting football.
“It’s 18 rounds, a long season and whereas in the past we’ve been viewed at one of the favourites, this year not so much. But we still need to perform week in, week out if we want to make the finals.”
The Roosters have one trial game, on March 28 against Kwinana where Butler will get a chance to take a look at a few local additions.
“A couple of union players, a couple from AFL and even a couple of soccer players who want to try out,” he said.
“We’ve been working on ball skills and fitness, so a hit-out before round one will give me a good opportunity to see who can do what.”
And round one – against the team that knocked them out last August?
“Yes, Willagee again,” he joked.
“Nothing like starting the season with a big game like that.
“They look strong again, have added a couple of players, so it won’t be easy. But it’s only round one.”
A reminder that you don’t win premierships in April.
But can the Roosters win one in September?
Butler thinks they can and the Fremantle Roosters are one team you write off at your peril.
