Like every other grand final in history, the 2013 affair certainly wasn’t one without its controversial moments, with both teams getting their share of lucky (and unlucky) calls.
From the first penalty-try in a grand final since 1999 to Michael Jennings’ freakish effort in the final minutes to seal victory, the Sydney Roosters’ 26-18 victory over the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles had plenty of huge moments that, ultimately, swung the result the way of the minor premiers.
For those that might have missed the match (or simply want to relive the game all over again), here’s the biggest moments that defined the Roosters’ grand final victory and an impact rating for each.
‘4 – James Maloney kicks out on the full
Manly started strong, there was no doubt about that, and after Mitchell Pearce appeared to get away with a little knock-on, the Roosters needed to hold firm.
Somebody apparently forgot to tell Maloney, whose kick went out on the full and put Manly right on the attack.
The minor premiers would hold on momentarily, but after Kieran Foran produced a knock-on from Sonny Bill Williams, the Sea Eagles would quickly spread it wide and take the lead through winger Jorge Taufua.
An early try would most certainly not have been in the game plan for Trent Robinson.
Impact rating: 6/10
’24 – Daniel Tupou leaps, David Williams doesn’t
After a key penalty given for an infringement against Friend on halfway, the Roosters went on the attack needing to score points.
And while it might have been a convincing set of six, the end to it wasn’t, leaving Maloney to put up two kicks.
The latter of the two, though, came down perfect for Daniel Tupou, who flew over David Williams to score a very solid try.
Huge for getting the Roosters back into the game; huge in the lack of confidence it would give Williams for the rest of the night.
Impact rating: 7/10
’36 – Manly’s defence holds firm, just
On the back of consecutive penalties – both of which were slightly dubious – the Roosters were pressing in attack and looking to extend their two-point lead.
Manly’s defence was able to hold firm thanks to some desperate defence from Brett Stewart, and they only trailed by two points into the half-time break.
Impact rating: 8/10
’39 – No call on Michael Jennings’ boot
After somehow making their way out of their own end, Manly went for one quick raid before the break – and almost pulled it off.
The ball was quickly spread wide to Jamie Lyon who put in a little grubber that went out of bounds, seemingly ending the half.
Replays showed that Roosters’ centre Michael Jennings had played at the ball and the feed should have gone the other way.
Instead of Manly having a new set of six just 10 metres out, the Roosters were able to hold on their two-point lead.
Impact rating: 8/10
’44 – Jamie Lyon penalty try – where’s the sin bin?
Now for the big one. A quick break down the right saw an infield kick by Manly.
Lyon was seemingly about to scoop up the ball and score when he was dragged down from behind, leading to a penalty try being awarded.
The biggest concern that many had was to whether Lyon was going to score “beyond reasonable doubt” – with the line at his mercy, you have to agree on that fact.
Aubusson wasn’t sin-binned (which is perhaps a little strange given that it had to have been a professional foul) and it wasn’t awarded an eight-point try either.
I’m okay with the decision and non-decisions, though it’s certainly split public opinion. If anything, it should have been a penalty try and a sin-bin.
I’m not sure you can have one without the other, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
Impact rating: 10/10
56′ – Aidan Guerra scored, but was it forward?
Perhaps the biggest call of the night, in my opinion. After some strong work from the Roosters to again get back into the match (and out of their own end), Pearce found Guerra running into a gaping hole.
The forward strolled in under the posts to bring the score back to just one try, but the replay suggested that again there was some doubt – this time about the ‘backwards’ nature of the pass.
The video ref was unable to intervene once the three on-field officials didn’t. Huge non-call.
Impact rating: 9.5/10
60′ – SBW finally steps up – in a big way
After a first half that saw the hulking Williams somewhat frustrated by the lack of space outside of him, he finally broke free and changed the 2013 grand final.
A traditionally strong run followed by an offload saw Maloney burst clean through the middle, with Kenny-Dowall finishing off the length-of-the-field effort in the corner.
Maloney duly converted and the minor premiers were, somehow, back in front.
Impact rating: 9/10
’68 – Lyon offloads, but to Williams’ feet
Perhaps the form centre of the finals, Lyon has been hard to fault this year – except for this pass to David Williams.
After drawing in the centre and winger, Lyon had his chance to offload to Williams who was in a position to score a try, but the pass was no good.
The ball fell to the wingers’ ankles, Williams was unable to gather successfully and the Roosters would survive on their own line once more.
In short, another lowlight in a night that Williams will definitely want to forget. Quickly.
Impact rating: 8/10
’73 – Michael Jennings freak show seals the win
Freakish is the only way to describe Jennings’ try to seal the grand final for the Roosters.
He never gave up and somehow, incredibly, managed to ground the ball in time.
There’s also probably some credit due to Sonny Bill Williams for the original break in his own half (and the fact that he injured Stewart in the play, which put the Wolfman back to fullback).
But nothing, and I mean nothing, compared to Jennings’ effort.
One of the greatest grand final tries ever scored, and it couldn’t have come at a bigger time for the Roosters – essentially sealing the win and the silverware.
Impact rating: 9/10
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