The Noosa Pirates junior joined the Roosters on a scholarship when he was 15 and, in 2008, progressed from SG Ball through to Toyota Cup to the NRL in just four months.
First grade career
Friend made his first grade debut for the Sydney Roosters against Canterbury-Bankstown in round 16 of the 2008 NRL season. In the 2009 NRL season, Friend played 21 games for the club as they finished last on the tablefor the first time since 1966. Friend finished the 2010 NRL season as the Roosters starting Hooker in the 2010 NRL Grand Final. However the Roosters were defeated 32-8 by St. George at Telstra Stadium. Friend's good form continued in 2011 and despite a lacklustre year by the team, he was awarded the club's highest individual honour, the Jack Gibson Medal, after a season of consistent performances. 2013 was a true breakout season for Friend. he maintained a high work rate in defence with an average of 37 tackles a game. He played for the Roosters in their 2013 NRL Grand Final win over Manly-Warringah at ANZ Stadium. He continued his form in 2014, which started with a starring role for the Sydney Roosters in the 2014 World Club Challenge at hooker, where he was named man of the match in the Australian premiers' 36-14 World Champion victory over Wigan in Sydney. He also won the Ashton Collier medal for Man of the Match in the 2014 ANZAC Game between the Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons. Friend was part of the Eastern Suburbs sides which made preliminary final appearances in 2015 and 2017 but fell short of a grand final appearance on both occasions. In 2018, Friend was part of the side which won their 4th minor premiership in 6 seasons. On 30 September 2018, Friend co-captained Easts in the 2018 NRL Grand Final victory over Melbourne. At the start of the 2019 NRL season, Friend scored a try for the Sydney Roosters in the club's round 1 defeat against arch rivals South Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground. In round 3, Friend was taken from the field with a shoulder injury in the club's 32-18 win over Parramatta at ANZ Stadium. Friend returned to the Easts team for the ANZAC Day match against St George but suffered a torn right bicep and was ruled out for 10 weeks. Friend returned to the Easts side in Round 17 against North Queensland at the Central Coast Stadium. Friend scored a try in a 15-12 defeat. The following week against Newcastle, Friend was taken from the field during the club's 48-10 victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a fracture to his forearm. Subsequent scans revealed that Friend was ruled out for 8 weeks. Friend made only 6 appearances for the Sydney Roosters in the 2019 NRL season as the club reached the 2019 NRL Grand Final against Canberra. Friend was a late inclusion for the grand final team after coach Trent Robinson decided to replace Zane Tetevano with Friend. The Sydney Roosters would go on to win the final 14-8 and claim their second consecutive premiership. The premiership victory was Friend's third as a player. On 22 February 2020, Friend played for the Sydney Roosters in their 2020 World Club Challenge victory defeating St Helens R.F.C. 20-12.
In March 2009, Friend was suspended by the NRL for 2 weeks for high rangedrink driving offences. On 27 June 2009, Friend along with Sandor Earl were initially charged with assaulting a woman in Sydney. It was alleged the niece of ABC radio commentator David Morrow 'was punched' at The Tank nightclub in The Rocks. They were quickly cleared of any charges after surveilence video was reviewed. On 13 December 2009, Friend was arrested and charged by police following an altercation with a taxi driver. As a result, the Roosters terminated his contract. In May 2010, Friend was re-instated in the Roosters team after counselling and rehabilitation.
