The 2018 NRL season is over and the Sydney Roosters have added another premiership to their silverware cabinet. As always, the Twitterverse had plenty to say.
More NRL Grand Final
» MITHEN: Roosters finally meet expectations
» Match report: Sydney smash Storm
» Seven talking points from the match
» WATCH: Video highlights from the match
» Sydney Roosters player ratings
» Melbourne Storm player ratings
Given the controversial lead-in to the grand final, it’s no surprise that there were a few good-natured barbs being thrown Billy Slater’s way as the match neared.
BREAKING: Sosaia Feki has been suspended for 3 NRL games for running into Billy Slater’s shoulder and bringing the game into disrepute. #NRLGF
— Wally (@KingWallyy1) September 25, 2018
Not long until the Billy Slater Testimonial Match. #NRLGF
— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) September 30, 2018
Meanwhile neutrals like our Ryan O’Connell looked to the stars, or elsewhere, to help decide who to barrack for.
Tonight’s choice of beer is an omen. It seems I’m going for the Storm.
My goodness, I feel dirty.#nrlgf pic.twitter.com/F0vZHzXIWk
— Ryan O'Connell (@RyanOak) September 30, 2018
C’mon Ryan – would you feel any less dirty the other way?
As crows flocked to the ground, we spotted the one sight that is always a guarantee in rugby league, appearing like clockwork: the random Souths guy.
First #RandomSouthsGuy sighting. Many more to come I'm sure. #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/zbxhCgEGX3
— Dazza_20 (@Dazza_20) September 30, 2018
Then the big news hit. Despite all news the contrary: Cooper Cronk was IN.
Cooper Cronk is IN! Full squad: https://t.co/6cpNw0whpM #EastsToWin #NRLGF #WeRiseUp pic.twitter.com/vGjkzTQhR3
— Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) September 30, 2018
Breaking news:@sydneyroosters Cooper Cronk is kitted up and ready to play.#NRLGF pic.twitter.com/8cRqtGAHTX
— Aaron Wallace (@wallyscr) September 30, 2018
Seems legit. Suffice to say there were some varied opinions on the news.
If Cooper Cronk plays it's one of the all time selfish decisions from him. The Roosters will be a much better chance of winning without Cronk being a relentless target in defence. #NRLGF
— James Hooper (@jimmyhooperFX) September 30, 2018
#NRLGF prediction: Billy Slater to shoulder charge Cooper Cronk 3 minutes in. Dylan Napa replaces him at halfback and headbutts Billy Slater. Cameron Smith then throws his arms up in the air complaining and steals Ashley Klein’s whistle to take over.
— Victoria (@yeahvictoriaaa_) September 30, 2018
You want to see the best players playing in the Grand Final. Even though Cronk isn’t 100%, the storyline is there for both sides #NRLGF
— Brett (@Brettsinc7) September 30, 2018
Storm will hammer Cronk early if they’re smart. #NRLGF
— norts (@Nortonzzz) September 30, 2018
But the real highlight of the pre-game was without a doubt Sam Thaiday backing up his snappy Dally M threads with the fashion combo you never knew you needed: a velvet jacket and a pair of shorts.
I don’t now what’s worse. His stand up or his wardrobe #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/Ggc9AbrEco
— The professional amateur sportsman (@theprofamateur) September 30, 2018
Billy Slater was the last of the retiring players to come on ground but as he emerged the crowd let their feels about him be known, and in a none-too-pleasant fashion.
The chorus of Boos for Billy #NRLGF
— Mitch (@bornin1998) September 30, 2018
I take it some of the crowd don't like Slater ????#NRLGF
— Andrew Macdougall (@AndrewMacWrites) September 30, 2018
West Coast fans at the #nrlgf ???? That's a lot of boos
— Matt (@Mattys123) September 30, 2018
Those fans patiently waiting for the first big stuff up of the night didn’t have to wait much longer.
Channel 9 just said "Gangs of Youth" are doing the half time entertainment……. #nrlgf
— Andrew Brown (@AndrewBrownAU) September 30, 2018
Gangs of Youth! Haha haha ???????????? Good one Sterlo. #NRLGF
— Matthew Jones (@_MattJ) September 30, 2018
The commentators clearly know the band playing before the match. “Gangs of Youth” bloody hell ???? #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/ngrf49FxDW
— Em (@emykate_) September 30, 2018
As for the entertainment itself, well, fair to say the crowd was a bit split in terms of how they felt – but everyone agreed the drummer had dressed for the occasion.
Mixed views
Pre-game … @gangofyouths #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/jddI9VVjHB
— Steve Greenwood (@SM_Greenwood) September 30, 2018
This @gangofyouths lot are bloody awesome! #NRLGF
— Simon Shirley (@simonshirley72) September 30, 2018
NRL pre game entertainment ????♂️????
— Brendan Fevola (@BrendanFevola25) September 30, 2018
I haven't the foggiest idea who Gang of Youths are, but I respect the hell out of the drummer's Henny Penny Knights jersey.
— Mat and Kita Clarke (@KitaandMat) September 30, 2018
Henny penny getting mad free advertising#NRLGF
— League By The Fireplace (@leaguebythefire) September 30, 2018
Melbourne completely makes up gangs of youth, Sydney makes them the pre-match entertainment.#NRLGF
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) September 30, 2018
Me watching the entertainment #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/2yyf4r0hFK
— Andrew Sertori (@AndrewSertori) September 30, 2018
tweeting my reaction to this pregame entertainment so I get featured in a news website recap tomorrow #NRLGF
— alex (@mramclrn) September 30, 2018
You made, it Alex.
Here. We. Go!#NRLGF#NRL pic.twitter.com/gBnq2223wY
— NRL (@NRL) September 30, 2018
After so much speculation, the start of the match was totally unexpected. Cooper Cronk struggled to have an impact early, but it didn’t matter – the Storm hardly seemed to have turned up.
Cooper Cronk is a warrior, but he’s already hanging his left arm and it’s been 8 minutes. What long term damage is he risking? #NRLRoostersStorm #nrl #NRLGF
— Oli Shawyer (@OliShawyer) September 30, 2018
The floater from Keary sends Tupou in for the first Try of the #NRLGF!#NRL pic.twitter.com/eR1AqFvhp9
— NRL (@NRL) September 30, 2018
12 mins in, feels like Melbourne haven't got going at all. #NRLGF #RugbyLeague
— Adam Tate (@adamtate4) September 30, 2018
LATRELL !!!!!!! #NRLGF
— THANE (@J_Kwon_TIPSY) September 30, 2018
— Mandy (@mandyrojas23) September 30, 2018
On my way to get a try #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/Y4raWj9hiR
— ABC Sydney (@abcsydney) September 30, 2018
‘I didn’t know Cameron Smith was playing’ my mum summarising Melbourne in the first quarter of the #NRLGF
— Amber ???? (@amber_wallace75) September 30, 2018
This is the worst 14 mins of footy I have seen the Storm play in 2 years #NRLGF
— Meagan Date (@meagandate) September 30, 2018
Latrell Mitchell steps inside, shrugs off defenders and scores!#NRLGF#NRL pic.twitter.com/fPLyZ1oUvL
— NRL (@NRL) September 30, 2018
Fans may have been divided, but everyone unanimously agreed the mid-match music was about the worst idea possible.
Did the ground announcer bring his record collection in, yep sounds like he did… #NRLGF
— ????????????????????????????. ????. ????. (@richielew4120) September 30, 2018
This music for EVERY break in play is UNBEARABLE – it’s a #NRLGF ffs
— m_larks (@m_larks) September 30, 2018
Then, at last, a bit of fight! Unfortunately for the Storm, it wasn’t on the scoreboard.
Bit of biff between Michell and Campbell on 24 mins….going to make rest of this even more interesting #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/3qQI6rISa4
— Liam Sowden (@Sowden18) September 30, 2018
They’re all hugging. They love each other. #nrlgf
— Mikey Nicholson (@Mikey_Nicholson) September 30, 2018
Getting owned Chambers is my favourite Chambers #NRLGF
— Kris Read (@DesignedToFade) September 30, 2018
Cmon fellas.. #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/8lXOKVnFoz
— c (@tsunamitweetz) September 30, 2018
#NRLGF pic.twitter.com/apUQ9iueJ0
— James Smith Inside Sport (@JamesSmith1001) September 30, 2018
It's all firing up. ????
No love lost between Mitchell and Chambers. #NRLGF
Watch LIVE: https://t.co/BMYqCZhrd4
Follow LIVE: https://t.co/dO8Yicz87H pic.twitter.com/dlASEcwQ8e— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) September 30, 2018
Things quickly turned from bad to worse for the Melbourne Storm when Cameron Munster got himself sent to the sin bin.
Cameron Munster has been sent to the sin bin.#NRLGF#NRL pic.twitter.com/07LWqM26d8
— NRL (@NRL) September 30, 2018
The sin bin sounds sexy af
— morgan j (@mxrganjade) September 30, 2018
Sydney scored a third try before half time and the punters were willing to call it.
Game over #NrlGF
— Luke (@lukej83) September 30, 2018
Roosters have been FLAWLESS #NRLFinals #NRLGf
— Luke (@lukegriffo) September 30, 2018
#NRLGF pic.twitter.com/ED1x7ZgmNC
— Shane Berketa (@shaneberketa) September 30, 2018
What a final series this young man is having!
Manu plants it down on the right edge after Tedesco shuffles it on.#NRLGF#NRL pic.twitter.com/2uzzaRKG0Q
— NRL (@NRL) September 30, 2018
There were some chuckles to be had at halftime.
Old mate was pretty close to winning that million bucks… ???? #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/jLXHeUDejl
— Jake Rosengarten (@Jakeros95) September 30, 2018
And a sublime try from Josh Addo-Carr gave Storm fans a brief flash of hope.
This has been a nightmare all the way for the Storm. Forgettable in every way. Their worst performance of the seas…. The Fox takes an intercept… Hold the phone #NRLGF
— Curtis Woodward (@woodward_curtis) September 30, 2018
FOOOXXXXXX. HOPE YET #nrlgf
— Matt (@Mattys123) September 30, 2018
GET IN JOSH! #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/GsAIF2IoX0
— Tas Mavridis (@TasMavridis) September 30, 2018
They didn’t award an 8 point try because of a technicality but that was dirty as hell from Tupou. No chance of stopping the try and still puts his knees into Addo-Carr #NRLGF
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) September 30, 2018
But we all knew where this was going.
#NRLGF pic.twitter.com/4IKJdMgYAP
— Breanna (@familiarlove) September 30, 2018
Tributes flowed for Cooper Cronk.
Cooper Cronk playing without playing is revolutionary. On field coach is the future. #NRLGF
— Reece M (@reecem77) September 30, 2018
Cooper Cronk played tonight with a fractured scapula (shoulder blade). To put this into some perspective, Josh Reynolds missed 5 weeks earlier this season with what was described as “a very small fracture in his scapula”. Seriously unbelievable #NRLGF
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 30, 2018
And a second sin-binning for the match for Cam Munster put the game to bed.
Worst game of Cameron Munster’s career: confirmed! What a grub #NRLGF
— Mitch Phillips (@mitch_phillips) September 30, 2018
Oh the DJ is playing ‘Hit the Road Jack’ and I have never sung so long. ????
— LadiesWhoLeague (@LadiesWhoLeague) September 30, 2018
I'm calling it. She is singing. 2018 Premiers – The Mighty Roosters. #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/2mMtg6wbXZ
— Tri Coloured Chook (@TheGoodChook) September 30, 2018
In the end, nothing left to say – congrats to the Sydney Roosters.
We rise up as your 2018 PREMIERS! #EastsToWin #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/7WCLg9QKcg
— Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) September 30, 2018
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