The Sydney Roosters have booked their place in the NRL grand final alongside the Melbourne Storm after beating the South Sydney Rabbitohs by eight points in the second preliminary final at a packed Allianz Stadium last night. Here are my talking points from the game.
No Latrell, no worries. Enter Joseph Manu
There were two obvious problems the Roosters had to address coming into this game before they could even think about winning it.
The first, after he failed to beat a charge at the judiciary was how to replace Latrell Mitchell. Luckily, goalkicking didn’t matter, but Paul Momorovski did a fantastic job. It’s almost a shame he won’t get an opportunity on the biggest stage of them all as the New South Wales representative returns.
The second question, maybe more importantly, was how to shut down Greg Inglis and the Rabbitohs left edge, which has been dangerous all season, but faltered against the Dragons last week.
Whatever the Dragons did to them, the Roosters did it better, and Joseph Manu stopping Greg Inglis just about everytime he touched the footy was a big part of the reason why.
Manu, maybe hidden by the achievements of Mitchell has been an underrated player for the Roosters this year and it’s clear to see his career has come on in leaps and bounds.
He was solid in attack with limited opportunities, but it’s his defence where he came of age last night under the pump, taking on one of the most powerful players in the game.
What happened to Damien Cook?
If the Rabbitohs performance could be summed up, it was in the performance of Damien Cook, who had an absolute howler after a fantastic season.
Whether it was knockout nerves, fatigue, or something else is impossible to tell, but he didn’t look himself anywhere between the first and the 80th minute.
He only really got into gear during the second half last week, but without the Rabbitohs forwards dominating, he had time taken away from him and struggled to make anything happen for the Bunnies danger men.
It was a problem with has plagued South Sydney for their final 160 minutes of the season, and goes again to show Cook still has lots ot improve on. Whereas Cameron Smith doesn’t need a forward pack to dominate, Cook clearly does.
Despite his fantastic season, this will leave a sour taste in the mouth.
Another pre-season of learning how to control things will do him the world of good, but when it counted last night, Damien Cook came up short. Very, very short.
If Slater is suspended, then Jake Friend should kiss the grand final goodbye as well
As we all know by now, Billy Slater will be headed to the judiciary on Tuesday night to try and get his Grade 1 shoulder charge overturned.
If the NRL stick to the letter of the law, it would appear he has almost no chance and will sit out the grand final as a result – not the right way for a star like Slater to end his career, but rules are rules.
The problem now is that the NRL will also have to act on Jake Friend, who was pinged for a dangerous throw tackle last night.
It was a pretty ugly incident early in the first half with Greg Inglis ending up well above the horizontal. There was really no defence for Friend either, who was third man in with Inglis standing in the tackle.
The decision could come back either way, but you feel it has to be the same as Slater’s – whether that be a suspension or a let-off.
It’s going to smack of something if they come back opposites because both should attract Grade 1 charges, as Slater’s already has.
Bravo to the Roosters defence, but they will need a lot more to beat the Storm
While it has to be acknowledged the Rabbitohs didn’t throw a heap at them across the 80 minutes, the Roosters defence was part of the reason why.
They were quick off their line, slid well on the edges and applied the pressure all night long, ensuring the Rabbitohs had time and space taken away from them to create anything of substance.
It’s clear they are going to need a similar performance on that end of the park next week whether Slater is there or not, but they are going to need major improvement on attack if they are to beat Melbourne.
We will talk about Cooper Cronk’s role in this shortly, but essentially, they need to be near-on perfect to beat the Storm in a decider. Melbourne have the experience, the talent and skills to get it done against anyone in the competition.
The Roosters weren’t good in attack last night, and while they have been at times this season, it’s been inconsistent and clunky.
Sure, they won the minor premiership, but their attack has to match the level of their defence from last night.
What they showed against South Sydney won’t win them a premiership if the Storm are anywhere near their best next Sunday.
It’s going to be down to their forwards matching it up the middle, creating pressure, and their outside backs seizing every opportunity presented to them.
If they can do all of that, they will be more than a chance at living up to pre-season expectations of a premiership.
The Rabbitohs kicking game wasn’t good enough
Many of the issues which plagued the Rabbitohs last week in their weak first-half showing against the Dragons came back to haunt them against the Roosters.
This is a side who have spent most of the second half on cruise control, but if you stretch the mind back to their two losses against the Raiders and Broncos, or earlier in the season when they weren’t quite the team they ended up being, it’s hard to say they have done well getting themselves out of tough situations, which they found themselves in last night.
While the halves might not even be there if the forwards aren’t dominating, they were in the game enough last night for Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker to do a much better job than they ended up doing.
The Bunnies struggled to build any momentum of fluency in their attack, and a lot of that was down to the sloppiness of their creatives.
Of course, they didn’t even get to their kick at times for it to be a problem, but when they did, the pressure simply wasn’t put on the Roosters, who defended well, but didn’t have a whole lot thrown at them.
In the end, the Rabbitohs go out with one try from their last 160 minutes of footy. Anyone thinking the loss in Melbourne didn’t have an adverse effect on them both mentally and physically is kidding themselves.
Cooper Cronk needs to be 100 per cent fit
It was a warrior-like performance from Cronk to get through the 80 minutes last night, basically playing with one arm during the second half.
The fact he stayed on the field and kept fighting is a true testament to his character, but he will need to be 100 per cent fit for the Roosters to challenge the Storm next week.
Sure, they have Luke Keary and James Tedesco, but Cronk has been the glue which has brought them together during the second half of the season.
Put him on the shelf and they lose the control, the kicking game, the patience and more importantly, a mountain of experience.
Also, can we stop calling this thing a big dance?
Short one to finish off. I’ve been guilty of it, we all have at one point or another.
However, from this day forward, I vow to never again call the grand final the big dance.
This is the biggest footy game of the year, not the ending of that movie Footloose or the school disco, nor are we heading to a nightclub.
May it be a cracker, may the best side win and may this season get the ending it deserves.
Roarers, what did you make of the game? Drop a comment below and let us know.
Roy
Guest
You're a joke and souths are a joke. Your team didn't score a try, deal with it. Easts completely outplayed your rabble and as a result Easts are in another GF. I'm SURE Crighton is over the moon that he's joining a great club.
Bernie Vinson
Roar Rookie
Charming. In the furore over Slater and Friend what was missed was the reffing performance of Klein. A close game all the way through. Interestingly last week Malcolm Knox wrote in the Sydney Morning herald (15-16/9/18) "In this years (NRL) annual report, expect the NRL to again credit this result (good TV ratings) to the closeness of the competition. The NRL's statistical tightness last year - 35% of games decided y six or fewer points, an average margin of 13 points - was mentioned so copiously in the 2017 report you wonder what the NRL's main employees, the referees, think of it. A perverse incentive to square up penalty counts and manufacture tight finishes? This is denied, with referees said to favour wider margins. Blowouts take the heat off officials because nobody can say the result came down to the one decision. I would have hoped referees would not favour any pattern of margins and just call each decision the way they see it but anyhoo." By the way this weeks article by Knox is up on the SMH website (as are all of the saturday articles for this year) but not this one about eveness of the competition.
Pickett
Guest
Nice comment. Don't tell any of my Rooster buddies or 3 Teef/Steveng, but I was rooting for your lot in the 2014 GF.
Pickett
Guest
Ha! The Phone Chucker didn't look too happy did he.
Pickett
Guest
I certainly don't think they should free Billy for sentimental reasons. Many great players in the past have missed the GF due to suspension - Cameron Smith, Isaac Luke and our own Luke Ricketson in 2014. This was also to be his farewell game after over a decade of service.
uglykiwi
Roar Pro
Slater: Don't you think it's Karma??? His milking, to get players sin binned, kicking players in the head: it's all just come back to bite him. The question should be asked is why didn't the sharks get a penalty try??? Back to the Roosters: Cronk... is a huge loss. Slater and Cronk out; Roosters will feel the loss more..... huge call from Robinson to see what he does.
Kay Merda
Roar Rookie
Here's hoping Rusty gets full of ink again at Mad Monday and insults a few more soon-to-be-roosters!
Dalai
Guest
Well ... notwithstanding Ive been a Bunnies Fan for 57 years now I can't recall many seasons where Ive been as proud of my Team as this year. After some frustrating years since we climbed back to the top in 2014 this season was a breath of fresh air not only to the loyal Rabbitohs supporters but no doubt to the NRL in general. Anthony Seibold completely restructured their main plays in defence and attack and encouraged a more spontaneous approach to each match as it changed and developed.. I was fingers crossed for a top 8 finish if possible ... so to wind it up in the Top 4 was a fantastic achievement for all involved .... and with that a Big Congratulations to the Sydney Roosters who thoroughly deserved their win last night. My family and myself travelled a long way to support our Team at Alliance last night but as hard as we tried it was obvious we had finally hit the wall with nothing in reserve. The Roosters kept going and we couldn't stay with them. Their defence was and is absolutely outstanding. . As far as Cookie is concerned Im not sure that Ive seen anyone in such an important position achieve such an enormous improvement in their game throughout one season when finally given an opportunity to prove themselves worthy of a chance. Literally from a 15 minute per game bench player to an 80 minute starting role culminating in debuting sensationally at Origin Level to the recognition of all League Legends and real experts. Without any of his trademark line breaks in last weeks final V Dragons he ran for 154 metres, 42 tackles and attracted a Game high Rating of 9/10 in the Nrl.com and Foxleague websites. Ive met him quite a number of times now and along with most other people involved in his life, especially professional life its hard to recall anyone with more genuine desire to learn and seek continuous improvement in his game, especially as he spoke on the Sunday Footy Show a few weeks back of already investigating other plays and skills to provide impact when he is being heavily marked and hemmed in during games. As Phil Gould and Sterlo in particular stated they look forward to witnessing further improvements and development to his game over coming seasons but to even suggest that any comparison could or should ever be made to that of Cameron Smith is truly a boofhead moment. He's just enjoyed doing his best in his first year in 1st Grade...Amazing that some are already busting their arse to jam it down his throat that already he aint good enough !!??
The Barry
Roar Guru
All class as always Con...
JimboJones
Guest
What about "Good Kunt" ...Aussie as
Stuart
Guest
The Cookie Monster had a shocker but its rare that Smith plays behind a pack that was as ordinary as the bunnies forwards were for Cook. He needs to improve his overall game to change things up when the time and space isn’t there but he is still a standout to replace Smith. I think if Slater doesn’t play you will see how much Smith has bacomemless dominant and is on the decline this season... chooks will be too good. I suspect Slater would be a bigger loss than even Cronk go roosters. If Slater plays though then I agree the storm will be way too good. I hope he does play as it is ridiculous to miss a GF because of that but on current interpretation of a shoulder charged he should be rubbed out. He led with the shoulder and his hand flopping around towards the ball after that is irrelevant. IMO he should have been sin binned for illegally stopping Feki from scoring... and i’m no sharks fan.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Yeah, like the other 14 clubs wouldn't target Cronk if they were up against him in a grand final. It's only the Storm who would do that ... sure.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Don't let bitterness ruin your life, Steve. I've read your recent posts. Have another beer mate.
steveng
Roar Rookie
HaHaaa, here we go again, the chooks are bellowing again!!! We did score a try but it was disallowed lol read my post again boofhead, I'm not making any excuses but, what I've stated about the chooks is a fact!
Pickett
Guest
'The big dance' is another Americanism I hate with a passion alongside: Math Fries Ketchup Chicks What's wrong with: Maths Chips Sauce Sheilas?
Kay Merda
Roar Rookie
Here we go again.... steveg your team was comprehensively towelled up, worse-couldn't even score a try- in front of the largest ever crowd in the very last game played at the SFS. You had 68% of possession, were playing a team missing it's best attacking player, had it's chief organiser nullified by a cheap shot and had untried kids marking your superstars. You were at full strength and have the "best rookie" coach in the NRL. (Though Mr. Seibold is sadly becoming a whining excuse-maker too) Take it on the chin, move on. PS: Please stop these "develop our juniors" platitudes. You need a new angle, remember your club was pulled out of the toilet by a millionaire movie-star who has poured unlimited coin into buying the best players available for many years.
Pickett
Guest
Cronulla were busted, without Gallen, Graham and Dugan- arguably their most important players so of course Melba looked awesome against them. Easts only lost by 1 point in Adelaide against them where Latrell missed a sitter almost in front. I hope Slater and Friend both play. It's too close to call despite most backing Melba. Whoever wins will have learnt it. Oh and Steveng, keep on sniffing your metho mate. The myth about Sou ffs juniors is just that. Your mob has bought marquee players like GI, Gagai, Burgess's, Cook and many others.
steveng
Roar Rookie
There's no ' glass houses' here mate! Let’s look at the Bunnies, Gagai was added to the side in 2018, he is a SOO legend and has added quite a bit out wide, then you have GI, didn’t play last year, joined the Bunnies in 2011 while the Burgesses, Sam 2010-2014 with the Bunnies then missed 2015 and came back 2016 and the twins, George started at the Bunnies in 2012 and Tom in 2013, they made their carriers at the Bunnies, the Burgesses were not accomplished players and it’s taken quite a few seasons to develop them, especially the twins. The bottom line here is, I'm proud of the Bunnies and what they have achieved this year, they are developing their juniors and this year they were filled with rookies players and on top of all this, they lost one of their main utility players in Adam Doueihi who was a great loss in round 21, never mind, there are no excuses from us, as next year we will go one better. But, there is a difference here to the Roosters (who have been doing their premiership $$$ buying/building since Jack Gibson days) I remember when they stole our legend Ron Coote and then bought the Tigers legend Arthur Beetson etc etc and it’s the same with Cronk (premiership and SOO player) and Tedesco (SOO players) and Keary (2014 premiership 5/8 for the Bunnies) etc etc. Let’s not jump and make any conclusions, the chooks haven't won the 2018 g/f yet and they are a long way from doing so, let’s see what happens next week?
steveng
Roar Rookie
There's no ' glass houses' here mate! Let’s look at the Bunnies, Gagai was added to the side in 2018, he is a SOO legend then you have GI, didn’t play last year, joined the Bunnies in 2011 while the Burgesses, Sam 2010-2014 with the Bunnies then missed 2015 and came back 2016 and the twins, George started at the Bunnies in 2012 and Tom in 2013, they made their carriers at the Bunnies, the Burgesses were not accomplished players and it’s taken quite a few seasons to develop them. The bottom line here is, I'm proud of the Bunnies and what they have achieved this year, they are developing their juniors and this year they were filled with rookies players and on top of all this, they lost one of their main utility players in Adam Doueihi who was a great loss in round 21, never mind, there are no excuses as next year they will go one better. But, there is a difference here to the Roosters (who have been doing their premiership building since Jack Gibson days) I remember when they stole our legend Ron Coote and then bought the Tigers legend Arthur Beetson etc etc and it’s the same with Cronk (premiership and SOO player) and Tedesco (SOO players) and Keary (2014 premiership 5/8 for the Bunnies) etc etc. Let’s not jump and make any conclusions, the chooks haven't won the 2018 g/f yet and they are a long way from doing so, let’s see what happens next week?
Brian
Guest
It's sad that we know that this is going to happen if he plays and just accept it as just the way things are with the storm. The NRL need to get serious about wrestling next year, they were serious at the start of the year and the storm were pretty average, but unsurprisingly they caved in like Ben Hunt in a pressure situation.