By Todd Balym
September 13th 2008 @ 4:22am
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Finals bash-fest, but will it mean anything?
Somebody forgot to tell the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane last night’s qualifying final probably won’t mean much. As the fourth and fifth qualifiers for the NRL’s McIntyre system, the result of their clash could be rendered totally meaningless within 24 hours.
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Unless there are two upsets this weekend, which has happened once in nine years, both will be back playing next week.
But that didn’t stop them from bashing the living hell out of each other.
The opening 10 minutes was simply ferocious. The toughest seen this year.
Brisbane’s Test forward Sam Thaiday started it all, crunching Roosters rookie Anthony Cherrington in the first minute.
Welcome to semi-final football.
In a classic tit-for-tat start another of the genuine hardnuts Mark O’Meley returned fire by flattening Broncos prop Joel Clinton with a heavy shoulder charge.
Clinton wore a brutal and memorable shoulder charge from Sonny Bill Williams when playing for Penrith several years ago, the one you still see on highlights reels, but this one he will never remember.
He didn’t move for several seconds and was carried from the field in the third minute with heavy concussion and never returned.
Thaiday immediately sought retribution and went for a square up on O’Meley - but missed.
It wasn’t just the big forwards getting belted.
Anthony Minichiello, Peter Wallace and Michael Ennis all ended up slammed onto their backs staring at the stars and that was only in the first 12 minutes.
Roosters hooker Riley Brown broke his arm in two places and ended up in hospital.
Everyone waited for the dust to settle but it never did.
Just three minutes shy of halftime another young gun, Roosters finals rookie David Shillington, delivered another bell-ringer shoulder charge that left Brisbane’s Corey Parker not only dazed but without the football.
Not only was this match brutal but it was brilliant.
There was a 30m intercept try taken off, would you believe it, a Darren Lockyer pass.
There was also incredible 12-pass try ending with Broncos winger Denan Kemp darting over and the Roosters would have had their own contender for try of the year, involving two cross field kicks, if it wasn’t denied by the video referee.
The game had everything.
The Broncos won 24-16 and for all their blood, sweat and bruises they’ll at least get rewarded with a home final next week.
The Roosters may have to sweat it out for 24 hours to see if their finals series will continue, but in all likelihood they’ll be playing next week.
If results go according to plan they’ll probably be back at the SFS against Cronulla - some penalty for losing.
They’ve lost their hooker and have been battered relentlessly.
Brad Fittler has every right to ask - was it really worth it?
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Spiro Zavos said | September 13th 2008 @ 11:22am | Report comment
The issue is, is a home ground final worth getting belted and still winning. The answer is yes, surely. Also, although upsets haven’t happened in the past, they can happen. The Broncos are definitely through to another match, the Roosters have been belted and are only probably through.
oikee said | September 13th 2008 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Will be worth it if they make the final, toughen them right up that game, have to agree with you, it was the best game i have seen for a long time, it had everything and not one send-off. At least the broncos get a home final, that should improve the crowd figures for the season . Any less than 52,500 would be a bit dissappointing. Never fail to deliver the broncos. Peter wallace has learnt more in a year at the broncos than he would have learnt in a lifetime. Proud of them all. And thats entertainment.
Alan Nicolea said | September 13th 2008 @ 12:09pm | Report comment
It would be a shame for the Roosters to get knocked out now. This finals campaign has been three years in the making and it would be dreadful if the club had to exit on these terms. In a way though, it could be a blessing in disguise. If the Roosters do survive, They will probably play Cronulla next week and then a possible preliminiary final against Manly. Having lost on Friday night, the chooks have potentially avoided a Grand Final qualifier with the Storm at the Dome. Brisbane lost their first home final in 2006 against the Dragons and look at what happened there.
The Link said | September 13th 2008 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
oikee i’m with you this was a phenominal game. Lets not forget the Broncos first try after half time, 16(?) sets of hands, it was the Broncs of the early 90’s, sensational stuff. Lets not beat around the bush though, the crowd was very dissappointing for a game of this stature, Nick Politis and co, pull your fingers out.
oikee said | September 13th 2008 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
I think the roosters should still be able to make it, they played very well and if mason was there i could have seen him driving over the top of the broncos after the damage was done, Yes the crowd was done but i am sure the peole who attended will never forget that game. Looking forward to tonites games now, what a final series this is going to be, its got everything. Koas, drama , emotion, and desparation, can see why a few dramas throughout the year does not turn off any followers, just adds to the game i think. One word i heard used was gladiators, that just about sums it up. That could be the final, a rematch of these 2 teams, Juicy.
LeftArmSpinner said | September 13th 2008 @ 5:32pm | Report comment
mason would only have driven over someone in his car!!!! He is no real loss, and lets hope he’s not hanging around the sheds as the players prepare for the next game. Sharks at SFS, phew, will be tough.
I agree that Tough footy is essential at this time of the year. get into a groove and go, go go!!