'Selfish' Sergis's effort to overcome injury forces tough call for Strange

Sydney Roosters coach John Strange was forced to make one of the toughest selection calls of his career after a decision by star centre Jess Sergis to take leave from work to ensure her fitness for Sunday’s grand final paid off.

Sergis, who injured her knee in the Round 3, made a successful return from the interchange in last Sunday’s semi-final defeat of Newcastle and will start against Cronulla in place of Strange’s daughter Jasmin.

It was a really tough conversation, to be honest. If Jess is fit all year, she is our starting right centre.

Roosters coach John Strange

The Jillaroos star was initially expected to miss the rest of the season but she took leave from her job as a teacher’s aide to focus on rehabilitation and has declared herself fit for the end-of-season Pacific Championships as well as the grand final.

“I am a new person, I have had about six weeks off, so I feel the best I have ever felt,” Sergis said.

“I give that all to the medical staff. They never counted me out, which was great. I know my body quite well and I said at the start, ‘just give me every opportunity to get back’, and I’m here.

“I went away from work for about five weeks, and just purely focused on football. My work was great with that, they were really supportive.

“I was a bit selfish, I just wanted to put myself first and do everything I can to get my body right that, and that was a huge thing for me.

“I did everything I could to put myself back out on the field and it has paid off.”

The return of Sergis left Strange with a tough decision as Jasmin had performed strongly in the centres after shifting from the wing when she was injured.

With captain Isabelle Kelly overcoming a dislocated elbow to play in last weekend’s semi-final, Strange has the Australian centre pairing at his disposal so Jasmin had to make way.

“It was a really tough conversation, to be honest. If Jess is fit all year, she is our starting right centre. She is Jillaroo and she is outstanding,” Strange said.

“It was tough because Jas has been very good, she has been one of our most consistent players, but she has gone back to the bench, and I have spoken about her role that she will need to bring to the team.

“She was disappointed, as you would hope, but at the end of conversation it was about wherever I put her on Sunday she will go out and do her best, and that’s what you want.

“At the end of the day I’m the coach and I have got to pick the best side that I believe and back myself, so we will see how we go on Sunday.”

Sergis is one of six survivors from the Roosters team that won the 2021 grand final against the Dragons, and after having their 2023 finals campaign derailed by late injuries, they have most of their big-name stars on deck for the grand final.

The exception is star fullback Corban Baxter, who ruptured her ACL in a pre-season trial against the Sharks, but she has been replaced by Sam Bremner, who has done almost everything in the game except win an NRLW premiership.

“It was one of the best feelings in the world, to win that grand final,” Sergis said. “You are on a high, you work so hard with these girls and it is not only that but the team we have got behind us.

It’s our families that sacrificed for us to do these things, so it will be incredible, and especially for Sammy to come back the way that she did. She hasn’t missed a beat.

“Little things like that will mean more to us than the ring."