Ramsey declares Roosters loyalty as finals dream takes priority

Cody Ramsey says he would be "crazy" to want to leave the Sydney Roosters, declaring he feels "100 percent" part of the club as he prepares for the first finals campaign of his NRL career.

Ramsey produced a composed performance at fullback in the Roosters' dramatic 20-18 victory over Canterbury on Friday night, replacing the injured James Tedesco and playing the full 80 minutes as his side overturned a 10-point deficit in the closing stages.

The 26-year-old is contracted through the end of 2027 and will be free to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, but told ESPN his future was the furthest thing from his mind as the Roosters pursue a premiership.

"They've looked after me so much. They gave me this opportunity," Ramsey told ESPN.

"I'd be crazy if I wanted to go. The way that the club looks after you, the way that Robbo treats you, and when you walk in those doors, it's just the care and love that this club gives you.

"It's obviously the last thing on my mind because I'm playing. How can I not be happy? I just love it here."

Asked whether he now considered himself a Rooster, Ramsey left no room for doubt.

"Yes, I am. One hundred percent."

Ramsey joined the Roosters ahead of the 2026 season after completing an extraordinary return from ulcerative colitis, which kept him out of the game for 896 days and threatened to end his career.

After returning through NSW Cup with the Dragons in 2025, Ramsey signed a two-year deal with the Roosters and made his first NRL appearance in 1,337 days earlier this season.

His opportunity against Canterbury came after Tedesco was ruled out with an ankle injury, allowing Ramsey to start at fullback.

Despite his ambition to establish himself as a regular NRL fullback, Ramsey said experiencing finals football with the Roosters was currently far more important than exploring a starting opportunity elsewhere.

"In my whole career, I've never even been close to playing finals, especially at a team like the Roosters," Ramsey said.

"That's my whole focus this year - doing what I can for this team when I can do it, and tonight's a perfect example.

"It's never happened before for me, so I'm pumped."

Ramsey has embraced his role as Tedesco's understudy, studying the Roosters captain throughout the week and preparing as though he will play regardless of whether an opportunity ultimately arrives.

"I prepare the same," Ramsey said. "You prepare to play. If you don't, then you won't be ready. I do the same video as Ted, I go into the same meetings and you prepare to play for that week. If he plays, then that's great, but if he doesn't, then I'm ready.

"I know what to do, I know how to set them up. My preparation is what helps."

The Roosters trailed 18-8 with less than 15 minutes remaining after Canterbury seized control early in the second half, but tries to Billy Smith and Salesi Foketi completed a stunning late turnaround.

The victory moved Trent Robinson's side level with Penrith on 36 competition points ahead of their blockbuster meeting on Thursday night.

Ramsey said the Roosters never allowed the scoreboard to alter their approach.

"It's just a mindset thing that we can score points no matter how many things are going on," he said.

"The chat doesn't change. It's like, 'Scoreboard, go back to home base. What does Roosters football look like?'

"If you think you're out of a game, then you will be. That's never the situation.

"They had a lot of momentum at the start of the second half and we just had to get the momentum back. We did that and got away with a win.

"It was a scrappy win, but two points is two points."

For Ramsey, his successful transition into the Roosters' system has been built around a simple objective: providing energy whenever and wherever Robinson calls upon him.

"Obviously Teddy does it so well, so I just try my best and try to bring energy," Ramsey said. "That's the main thing with me. If I can bring energy into the game somewhere, good things will happen - and they seem to pop up every now and then.

"I was never not confident. It's just my role in the team. If someone goes down, that's what I'm here for this year.

"I'll do my best wherever I go and whatever it is. I just take every opportunity I can get."