Sonny Bill Williams faces a big ask to earn a place amongst the top 10 Rooster recruits High profile Sydney Roosters recruit Sonny Bill Williams. FORGET all the hype around Sonny Bill Williams being the greatest ever Roosters recruit - his first task will be trying to earn a place in their top 10. With Williams' NRL return only six days away, The Daily Telegraph has compiled a list of the most influential imports to ever play for the Tricolours. Shaped by input from league historians and Fox Sports Stats, the prestigious Bondi Junction 10 is headed by Dally Messenger and also boasts Immortals Arthur Beetson and Bob Fulton. Others on the list include club legend Brad Fittler, fullback Russell Fairfax and 1970s hero Ron Coote. Asked last night if Williams could break into the elite group of Chooks, duel international Fairfax said: "Certainly, Sonny Bill has all the attributes to make the top 10 - the skills, the athleticism, the presence - and I really do hope he goes well for the club. But you need to remember he is returning to the game with a target on him. On top of that, he's recovering from a pec injury and rivals will be out there to test him. In union, Sonny was making eight tackles and as many runs a game. But now they're going to be demanding 20-plus runs from him, between 20 and 30 tackles. It could take six months just to get a rhythm. So, yes, he could make the top 10. But as for being compared to the likes of Coote or Beetson ... well, he still has a long, long way to go. League historian Ian Heads said he could not remember, in more than 40 years covering Australian sport, a recruit arriving with more anticipation than SBW. "But this list proves he has a lot to live up to," Heads said. Dally Messenger was the making of Easts, so rightly deserves his place at the top. And while Ron Coote isn't an Immortal, his impact at the club was greater than Fulton. I think Tony Paskins is a worthy inclusion too ... he may be the only non-international on there, but he came to the club with huge expectations and lived right up to them. With a reputation for being rugby league's Transit Lounge, there was no shortage of Roosters recruits to pick from. Among the more notable omissions were club favourite Craig Fitzgibbon, hooker Elwyn Walters and centre Mark Harris - the latter two playing in the club's 1974 and 1975 premiership sides. While Coote wouldn't be drawn on whether Williams could break into the top 10 list, the retired Kangaroo named his preference for No.1. "Have to be Artie for me," he said. I still remember the way he would be waiting for the pies to cook there at the Roosters kitchen. Few people know that's where he actually developed his blistering speed. Arthur could be standing 25m from the oven but, as soon as that little bell sounded to announce they were done, he'd tear across the room and beat everyone to them. Fairfax agreed: "Best I played with and against."