LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The Roosters have pulled off a big retention play with two players rejecting rival offers to remain with the club after a nightmare 2023 season.
The Roosters have announced the re-signings of two players, with centre Billy Smith extending for one year (2024) and utility Connor Watson staying put for two more years (2024 and 2025).
The 23-year-old Smith has endured a horror run of injuries since debuting in 2019 but enjoyed his best season to date in 2023, proving a key piece of the Roosters' impressive late season run to a semi-final.
"I'm so grateful to the Roosters for the loyalty they've shown me over the years.
I love the Club and I look forward to continuing to repay the Roosters for the belief they have always had in me," Smith said in a club-issued statement.
"For me personally, 2023 was my best year of footy and I'm excited to build on that in 2024." Watson didn't play in 2023 after suffering a pre-season knee injury but will return to the field this month.
He impressed in 21 games for the Tricolours in 2022.