Jake deal to put him in running for record

SYDNEY Roosters co-captain Jake Friend is closing in on a multi-year contract extension, opening the door for him to become the Roosters’ mostcapped player.

Friend, 30, has been a mainstay at the Roosters since joining the club in 2008.

Twelve seasons on, the Noosa Pirates junior has won three premierships and four minor premierships to etch his name in Tricolours folklore.

But Friend (pictured) isn’t finished, revealing he will remain at the club for at least another few seasons.

That will ensure the affable hooker (258 games) surpasses the most-capped Roosters player, retiring club star Mitch Aubusson, who is on 303 games.

“I’m all sorted for next year, and I’m hoping that will be all signed and sealed in the next few weeks,” Friend said.

“It is something that does mean a lot to me to play at the one club, so I’m really excited to hopefully get it all sorted.”

Friend is focused on helping the Roosters claim a historic three-peat, but he would also like to play Origin.

The veteran No.9 has achieved everything in his career, expect donning the Queensland jumper.

Friend has been in contention before but injury has cruelled him, so he is desperate to add Origin to his resume.

“It is something that I still want to tick off,” he said. “I was involved in a few of the camps earlier this year, and it was great to be back in the mix.

“I believe it to be the pinnacle of our game, and it would be an awesome thing to be involved in, especially this year.

“The continuous back-toback Origins are going to provide some pretty good footy. “I just have to perform well. “There is a finals series to play, and there are some other players in my position that have been playing really well.”

The Roosters can cement a top-three finish with a win over arch rival South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.