The Sydney Roosters have held South Sydney tryless 12-4 on Saturday night at Allianz Stadium to book a grand final showdown with the Melbourne Storm next Sunday night.
The biggest talking point out of the game is a shoulder injury to Cooper Cronk, who took a backseat in the second half as Luke Keary steered the Tricolours to victory.
The Roosters may also be without Jake Friend, who was penalised for a dangerous tackle on South Sydney skipper Greg Inglis.
In a slog through the middle, errors and penalties cruelled both sides’ chances of building any real pressure.
The only try of the half came in the 16th minute when a lovely cutout pass by James Tedesco saw Daniel Tupou cross over out wide.
Outside of that instance, however, penalty goals were in vogue, with Adam Reynolds slotting two to lock things up at four-all at halftime.
The Roosters suffered a massive blow early in the second half, with Cronk hampered by a shoulder injury. He soldiered on though and his teammates stood up alongside him to put in one of the best defensive efforts of the season.
Trent Robinson’s men struck first in the second half when Joseph Manu popped an offload for Blake Ferguson who surged over out wide in the 48th minute.
Souths had several chances to strike back in the next 20 minutes but were continually turned away by a valiant Roosters outfit.
Despite boasting the competition’s best attacking record in the regular season, South Sydney looking anything but that in the second forty as they were held tryless.
A late try to rookie centre Paul Momirovski sealed the victory as the Roosters march on to their first grand final since 2013.
The health of Cronk will be a key turning point as the champion halfback struggled to get through the full eighty minutes.
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Same town? I live in Sarina you dic&head 300 plus kms south of Townsville, try reading my posts before jumping into your insane conclusions dumb@rse!!!!
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
I don’t see anything great minds, I just see Dumb@rses
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Bigj,your a genius...you've caught us red handed....Hmmm it may have something to do with the saying about great minds :)
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Barry and Johnny Bulldog must be the same person, always agreeing with each on everything. Took a while to figure it out but the cats out of the bag Barry. Ha dumb@rse!
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Ha ha,I was waiting all yesterday for you to pick him up on that Bazza..Brilliant!
The Barry
Roar Guru
So to be clear, you think you get me “on the hook” by making yourself look like an illiterate dim wit...? Riiiiiiight... There is no way you’re not Big J Even allowing for genetic similarities there’s no way there’s two people on the planet - let alone in the same town - who could be so backward as to think they’re winning this situation...
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
No, just threw that one in for my own entertainment to see your reaction. The fish is on the hook, ha ha, dumb@rse!!!!!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
“Your worst” Congratulations. No one in the history of literature has been able to sum themselves up so perfectly with two words. I love your analogy too where you just literally describe the situation. “Your” as dmb as “yore” “cousin”
Rob
Guest
It will be interesting to read your comments if the Rooster are turned into the proverbial feather duster by the Storm next weekend. The second grade Cowboys made the chooks look like pretenders reaching last years GF.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Melbourne and Easts. My two least favourite sides. Both stooges of the NRL. I think there's a dance on at the Newport surf club at that time. I might make an appearance and try my luck.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Bwahahaha thanks Baz,I now have fruit salad coming out my nostrils ;) ha ha
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
I'd say that there's enough reasons to get on the Melbourne bandwagon, particularly if Slater gets off and plays. And even if he doesn't it'd be nice to see his teammates win the game for him. One of the players may even give up their premiership ring for him - will be interesting to see. Although, I'd also like the Roosters to win because I have a feeling that if they don't, they'll be more determined then ever to win next year and I'm hoping for someone different in 2019.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Is this your “research” ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
No they’re not hard to pick at all. He writes exactly the same nonsense in exactly the same inarticulate way as he’s always done, has the same interests and basically the same martial arts profile pictures. Then thinks he can fool everyone by saying “I’m not me, I’m ..... my cousin” Honestly there’s five year olds that can pull off more convincing subterfuge...
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Your worst kn0b jockey
The Barry
Roar Guru
You’re so lame...
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
Ha ha his aliases aren’t hard to pick!
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Really that’s the best analogy that you can come up with?? Referencing two of the worst serial killers that you could think of and compare them to a couple of footy teams. Really Barry???? No it’s not like whether you cheer on Charles Mansion or Ted Burn it’s whether you decide to support the Storm or the Roosters. Of course option c is that you support neither and just enjoy the game or d don’t watch it at all.
stevesyd
Roar Rookie
Isaac Luke copped a grade 2 for this spear tackle on SBW in 2014 prelim and missed the GF. https://youtu.be/05q5YgDsGwk Friend's is worse by applying downward force where Luke didn't. Gonski
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s by far the best grand final...but it’s like trying to choose who to cheer for between Charles Manson and Ted Bundy...