NSW Police have applied for an apprehended violence order against former Sydney Roosters premiership-winning hooker and current head of the club’s junior academy, Jake Friend.
Police have intervened in a domestic matter involving Friend and his wife, applying for an AVO against the former Roosters star.
Friend has not been charged by police in relation to the matter, and the former Roosters captain is due to appear in Burwood Local Court on Thursday.
Since retiring from the NRL, Friend has transitioned into a coaching and development role at the Roosters, where he currently oversees the club’s junior pathways and academy system.
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Friend was sadly forced into retirement in 2021 after suffering repeated concussions during his playing career, but remains part of the Tricolours, where he has carved out a home for close to 20 years.
Across a 14-year NRL career, he played 264 games for the Roosters and established himself as one of the club’s most decorated modern players, often viewed as a rugby league redemption story.
Friend’s career included early off-field controversy, having been sacked by the Roosters in 2009 before rebuilding his reputation and returning to become a premiership-winning leader at the club and an example for several younger generations of players.
He won three premierships with the Roosters and captained the club, while also representing both Australia and Queensland at the highest level in a highly decorated career.
The former hooker was a no-nonsense player, known for his defence against much larger opponents and his mixture of heart and courage on the field.
He also developed into an excellent attacking player, including an adept kicking game, contributing heavily to the Roosters success and dominance over the course of his playing career.
The Roosters are yet to comment publicly on the AVO application or Friend’s status within the organisation as everyone awaits further details ahead of the next court date tomorrow.