By now most observers have already made their mind up about Joseph Suaalii. Most did before they even saw him pick up a ball, such was the interest in 2020 as he worked his way through the most talked about contract negotiation of any teenager in any sport in this country.
Most believed the talent wouldn’t justify the hype. Perhaps they are now having second thoughts.
Joseph Suaalii as a teenager at South Sydney and first-grade star with the Roosters.
Although one thing has been undeniable throughout Suaalii’s progression from rugby union prodigy and South Sydney junior to Sydney Roosters superstar is the maturity and humility of the young man that has set the NRL alight in 2022.
Like a proud relative, Sydney Roosters supremo Nick Politis tells a story that he believes sums up the character of the teenager.
Having recently moved out of the family home in Glenmore Park in Sydney’s west to start a new life in the Eastern Suburbs, he was asked by the family of a local high school girl if he would accompany their daughter to her year 12 formal.
Suaalii obliged, rocking up at the girl’s home dressed in a suit with a corsage as a gift. “The parents were madly in love with him, he’s a gentleman,” Politis said.
“He’s so humble and respectful. It’s funny how tough and aggressive he is on the field, but it doesn’t match his personality. Off the field he’s a real gentleman and quiet.”
Depending on which side of the city you reside, you share that love for Suaalii or you feel the opposite.
South Sydney will tell you there are no hard feelings between them and the teenage sensation.
“I always had a lot of time for Joseph and his family,” South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly says.
“They are good people and I don’t have any issues with the way they conducted themselves through the process. Joseph was mature far beyond his years in those conversations. He carried himself with so much class and dignity. His parents and family are beautiful people.”
But the decision to join their arch rivals, the Sydney Roosters, left a sour taste in the mouths of those who tried so hard to keep him in cardinal and myrtle.
“The disappointing thing for me was given his appetite to play fullback, I couldn’t quite understand why the Roosters was a destination for him,” Solly said.
“If Joseph had been with us, he’d probably have played in an NRL grand final by now.”
The sticking point in the negotiations between Suaalii and South Sydney was a desire from the youngster to include multiple player options in his contract that allowed him the flexibility to leave the club when he wanted.
Roosters winger Joseph Suaalii.Credit:Getty
“The thing that Wayne [Bennett] and everyone in this club was absolutely adamant about was that the terms that Joseph wanted to sign here were unacceptable,” Solly said.
“A player option every year is just not something we would ever really think about it. We felt that he wanted us to tie our fortunes to him but wanted the option to go every year. Clive Churchill played at Souths. Joseph either wanted to be with us or he didn’t.
“We didn’t begrudge Joseph for wanting those options but it just didn’t stack up when at the same time you have guys like Cameron [Murray] and Campbell [Graham] committing their futures to the club without hesitation. As undoubtedly talented that he is and was, it felt like the guys that wanted to be here and commit their future to the club without reservation were the priority.”
The Rabbitohs were willing to upgrade Suaalii’s 2021 contract and extend his deal for another three seasons.
They knew it would take something substantial to stave off a bid from Rugby Australia to make the product of The King’s School the poster boy of their sport.
“My understanding of what rugby were willing to throw at him was a lot of money and guaranteed selections for the Olympic Games Sevens team and representative games for the Wallabies,” Solly said.
“They were desperate. Let’s be honest, the sport was on the brink of financial ruin. It still is. They needed some good news.”
Unbeknown to the Rabbitohs at the time, the Roosters began to circle. Suaalii, alongside his father Chris, met Roosters head coach Trent Robinson at the club’s Moore Park headquarters.
Unlike the Rabbitohs, the Roosters had no issue offering Suaalii the freedom to explore his options. Politis and Robinson were confident that once they got him through the door, he wouldn’t want to leave.
He’s already exercised the option to stay at the Roosters in 2023, and has until May to trigger an option in his favour for 2024.
The Roosters, though, want to extend his deal but are hamstrung by the protracted CBA negotiations that have cast doubt over what the salary cap will be beyond the end of this year.
His progression both on and off the field has left NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo vindicated by the decision to allow Suaalii to play before his 18th birthday.
“The application process was quite rigorous,” Abdo said. “It’s one thing being a great athlete at a slightly younger age but its quite another when you consider the amount of external and media pressure.
“The key issue for us in justifying an exemption was that the player is at a level of maturity where they can handle the pressures off the field. It’s not just about the player’s readiness, but the club’s ability to provide a holistic program.
“I met Joseph, his dad and the school headmaster. What they all spoke about in common is Joseph being a leader. Not just through his words but through his actions. I really got a sense from Joseph and the people around him that he was well and truly at a maturity level above what you’d expect from a 17-year old.
“He made sure his focus wasn’t just about being a great athlete, but preparing himself for life after football and the prioritisation of his education and future career. I couldn’t have been more impressed with him.”
For the past 18 months, the 19-year-old has let his football do the talking. A World Cup tour with the Kangaroos now beckons for the generational talent that once again has sport lovers anticipating his next career move.
Not that South Sydney feel the need to throw their hat in the ring considering their investment in Latrell Mitchell.
Joseph Suaalii dives over for his second try against the Knights.Credit:NRL Photos
“That’s probably one of the reasons why we wouldn’t do anything different. Latrell had come to the club at the start of 2020 and wanted to establish himself as a fullback,” Solly said.
“Latrell came to us as an unproven fullback but it became pretty clear to us that as soon as the competition restarted after COVID that he was going to be great at it. Would we do anything different? Probably not.
“Look at Latrell as a fullback. At the time we also signed Cameron Murray and Campbell Graham, who are both wonderful people and love the club. It also allowed us to keep Alex Johnston, who will probably break the Ken Irvine [try-scoring] record at the club. We don’t have any regrets.”
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