'Found his voice': A confident Rogers to play Cup game 100

Being at the Burleigh Bears has given playmaker Josh Rogers the confidence to become the player he is today.

He’s won a premiership in Hostplus Cup, broken records across the competition, played in the NRL with the Brisbane Broncos and now, this weekend, will play his 100th Cup match.

Aside from one season with Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2023 – moving only through his affiliation with the Broncos – Rogers has played the majority of his games at the Bears, as well as an NRL State Championship clash in 2019.

And the Perth product believes he wouldn’t be where he is today, notching up this milestone, if it wasn’t for the Bears.

“It’s pretty special to play 100 games,” Rogers said ahead of Sunday’s showdown with the Brisbane Tigers at Totally Workwear Stadium.

“At whatever level you play, it’s a big milestone to reach so I’m proud to be able to play 100 games. To be back at Burleigh this year to play the 100 games is special to me as well.

“I moved over here in 2015 as an 18-year-old and the Bears were the club I was at the whole time until last year.

“When I made my Cup debut (in Round 5, 2018) all the boys were believing in me and that was the main thing I remember.

“I hadn’t played much A grade as I was injured to start the year so all the boys were backing me to make the jump to Cup. It was nice to have that straight away.”

That belief from his Burleigh teammates has never wavered since.

There’s been highs and lows for Rogers, particularly as he first fought to become a mainstay in the Bears’ 17.

But it was the faith from his teammates that kept him going.

“Probably the most challenging time of my Cup career was the start,” the 28-year-old said.

“I’d come off 2017 not playing any footy through a couple of injuries. In 2018 I got thrown in after not playing too much footy so my confidence was down a bit.

“I was in and out a bit and that’s where all the boys helped me out again. I was in and out, not thinking I’m playing great, but in 2019, them having that same trust in me was great.

“The team spoke about why I was getting picked and a few players were saying they wanted me to play with them, which helped with my confidence.”

Rogers went on to win his first Cup premiership in that 2019 season with the Bears.

Outside of making his NRL debut, Rogers calls that moment his career highlight.

At the time, it was the older players at the Bears who helped build up his self-belief. Today, it’s some of those same players who assist him each and every week on the field.

“Sami Sauiluma has been a big one for me,” Rogers said.

“He’s been my centre for nearly every Cup game that I’ve played at the Bears. He’s a fantastic player to play next to. Knowing he’s outside me gives me a lot of confidence in attack and defence.

“Patty (Politoni) as well… that time where I was needing someone to talk to and to give me the reasons why I do deserve to play, he was someone there for that.

“He’s also organising the attack through the middle and that really helps me out. His voice in the middle makes it easier for me. Those two have been the biggest two that have helped me out through this 100 games.

“The whole club is very supportive. It’s not just the players - it’s the old boys, the coaches, everyone to do with Burleigh. They make it a real family sort of vibe.

“You go into the club after a game and you’ll have 10-15 year life member old boys talking to you straight away.

“That’s nice to start with and then the players, everyone is looking out for each other and everyone gets along. That makes the Bears a great club.”

Rogers will also hit his 100 Cup game milestone in the Hostplus Cup’s Harvey Norman Women in League Round.

For him, the most influential woman in his life is his beloved mum, Caroline.

While she lives on the opposite side of the country, she remains his rock through good times and bad.

“Going through juniors, she would take me to training or take me to every game,” Rogers said of his mum.

“When it came time for me to move away, that was tough to move away from her and dad but at the start but when I was struggling financially, she was there to send me money if I needed it or be there to talk to.

“Even now on the drive home from trainings when I’m stuck in traffic, I’ll give her a call and we’ll be on the phone for an hour or so. She’s definitely the most influential female in my life.”

Burleigh coach Luke Burt said ahead of Sunday’s milestone match that Rogers was a true teammate and someone who has come a long way since he arrived in Queensland as a teenager.

“He came to the club nearly 10 years ago and he was a young fella, really quiet,” Burt said.

“We’ve seen him really develop over the years. He has a lot of natural ability as a half.

“He’s found his voice and is really controlling an edge and helping out Hamo (Guy Hamilton). He’s been a crucial part for the Bears over the last five or six years.

“He’s a really good team member. The boys love having him around. He’s very low maintenance and a really good fella.

“He’s very coachable but also has great ideas of his own which I’m very lucky to bounce off him.”

Rogers joins a number of Bears players to reach major milestones this year, including Hayden Schwass (150), Politoni (150), Sauiluma (150) and Hamilton (150).

Sam Coster is also in line to reach game 150 after this weekend, showing how strong the culture is at the Bears.

“It’s a really proud thing for the Bears to have that many milestones and that many games from individual players,” Burt said.

“It shows the strength of the club but also how well they look after their players.

“I’ve only been here for the last four years and seen how they look after players and staff and it’s a credit to the club just as much as the peers.”

For Rogers, there is still plenty of football ahead.

But one of his major goals for the rest of his career he wants to achieve this year. As soon as September, in fact.

“I’d like to get another premiership with the Bears,” he said.

“That’s the goal for this year but to also get more games with the Broncs.

“I’m signed for another couple of years so it would be nice to keep playing good footy and then push to add onto the games I’ve played.”