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As the South Sydney Rabbitohs were one conversion away from upsetting the Sydney Roosters on Friday night, Hollywood took centre stage with Russell Crowe and Pamela Anderson cheering on the Redfern faithful in a blockbuster worthy of an Oscar.
Thankfully for the Roosters, despite the twists and turns, everything went according to script. They led 22 nil early in the second half with Braith Anasta the architect in what was a fine performance from the representative five-eighth.
Despite giving coach Brad Fittler a migraine or two late in the game, Anasta simply had to stay composed in a match that was quickly slipping away from what appeared a firm grip.
There were no secrets leading up to the contest against the Rabbitohs. The men from Bondi had to win to keep their top four hopes alive.
A loss, and the Roosters would have faced the frightening prospect of dropping down to seventh position if Brisbane, St George and Canberra all won their respective matches.
Too much was on the line for the Roosters to let 100 years of bad blood against South Sydney ruin their 2008 season.
Although they got over the line, the Rabbitohs nearly got the job done and coach Jason Taylor should be impressed on the way his side garnered belief despite the Roosters racking up what appeared to be an unassailable lead.
Indeed, Rabbitohs hooker Isaac Luke and Lock John Sutton were the catalysts of the South Sydney rival which prompted most of the 18,000 fans at the Sydney football stadium to start feeling worried, angry and depressed at what was unfolding.
As Russell Crowe and Pamela Anderson cheered on the red and greens, Brad Fittler was now living the real life of a first grade coach.
He now knows the fairytale dust of yesteryear has run out for the Roosters. He now knows that the pain of reality is starting to kick in.
And it really kicked him hard on Friday night.
At 22 nil, the Roosters should have gone with the job. They should have left their foot on the throats of a rival that has made a habit of coming from behind this season.
Unfortunately, not even those facts could deter Fittler’s men from once again releasing the valve that almost gave the Rabbitohs the most unlikely of victories.
They productively lost any authority around the play the ball area and were left short handed out wide in defence.
Their ill-discipline once again cost them in crucial moments of the match, none more so when Roosters centre Iosia Soliola was pinned by the referee on the last tackle late in the second half.
But despite all hell nearly breaking loose, Fittler looked calm and composed. As per usual.
Nothing seems to deter one of the greatest Rugby league players over the century. It seems his patience is rubbing off in his role as head coach.
When the fulltime whistle blew on another nail biting drama, the Roosters emerged victorious once again against South Sydney. Recent history confirms bragging rights are now at Bondi Junction.
The Roosters first fifty minutes showed their faithful the potential of what could be heading into late September.
In the end though, they just did enough to gain the two points and stay on course to stage a home final in two weeks time.
Freddy Fittler will take it.