 As the Super League war built up in the mid @-@ 1990s , the Roosters recruited high profile coach Phil Gould and star five @-@ eighth Brad Fittler , both from the Penrith Panthers . This helped to quickly send the Roosters back to the upper end of the ladder . Fittler 's presence proved invaluable ; during his reign , the Roosters competed in four grand finals in five years . In 2002 , the club captured its 12th premiership — the first in 27 years — defeating minor premiers the New Zealand Warriors 30 – 8 in the 2002 NRL grand final . 
