The Sydney Roosters have defeated the Melbourne Storm by 15 points after a commanding performance in the 2018 NRL grand final to claim their 14th premiership.
The men from Bondi were boosted an hour before kick-off by the inclusion of Cooper Cronk and never took a backwards step, bullying the Storm up front from the first minute to the last as they dominated the contest.
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While Cronk had few touches of the footy and tried to stay out of the game at times as he worked on protecting his shoulder, his influence on the field was still felt as the Roosters forwards won the game from the outset.
After coming out of the gates strongly, dominating possession in the first few minutes, Latrell Mitchell got the scoring underway for the Roosters with a penalty goal.
It didn’t take long for the tri-colours to increase their lead with a cut out ball ending up on the chest of Daniel Tupou, the big winger streaking away to score.
A penalty to the Storm minutes later threatened to flip the momentum, but another error invited the Roosters back onto the attack and Latrell Mitchell made no mistake in scoring, getting the better of Will Chambers – and not for the last time either.
The Roosters then had a try disallowed and the Storm were able to force their way back into the contest for a brief period.
It didn’t last long though. An error in the 30th minute allowed the Roosters to make a break, with Cameron Munster then sent to the sin bin and the Roosters kicking a penalty goal.
A try to Joseph Manu with a Munster still in the bin sent the Roosters ahead by 18 points at the break, which was a seemingly unassailable lead to bridge for a misfiring Storm outfit.
The second half started on the same script, with the Roosters dominating the contest, but they struggled to find a way over the tryline.
Their defence remained true for the most part though, with only a lapse in concentration at the 62nd minute from Luke Keary, who played a sensational game otherwise, allowing Josh Addo-Carr to run away with an 80-metre try.
It was the only bright spot in a dour night for the Storm, with the Roosters putting the game to bed after a field goal to Keary
Melbourne had more chances to score in the final ten minutes, but couldn’t do so and with time fast becoming the enemy, the Roosters defensive line held strong to ensure a famous victory against the odds.
Cameron Munster would be sent to the sin bin for a second time with a kick just a minute from fulltime, with Latrell Mitchell putting the icing on the cake with another penalty goal.
Sydney Roosters 21
Melbourne Storm 6
Chris
Roar Pro
From the first tackle, the Roosters looked business. That 80 minutes didn't look like the Storm I know and love. Dropped balls, kicks bouncing dead, silly last tackle penalties- it was hard to sit through knowing I'd never see Billy play again. I think the whole team have a lot to answer for letting (potentially) two club icons go out on such a note. Personally, I think Latrell is immensely talented and a blockbuster of a player, but he carries on almost as much as Chambers does. I wish Curtis Scott had introduced himself ala Dylan Walker but the past is the past and I wish him all the best. And to all the scum booing Slater in the post-match interview- I'll never be able to change your outlook on Billy, but that's moronic. He's been one of the game's most prolific players, represented his country and yours, and had his two young children with him. At least you can relax knowing he'll never 'cheat' (only against your team) in the NRL again. Cooper Cronk I'll always love you and last night's game hurt, but WOW! Nothing to prove against your old side but you were brave and inspirational like always. Makes losing a GF that little bit less difficult. Congratulations Roosters.
max power
Guest
Congrats to SYDNEY on winning their third premiership. so good to see a club grow from the Ashes of 5 year club SYDNEY CITY and making it only armed with a truck load of brown paper bags and a large Mexican hat. smart move by the board to change their name to Sydney and the side to represent the whole of Sydney rather than just the city. its only fitting that a side formerly called EASTS over a quarter of century ago is not a new club called SYDNEY. just as the EAST thinks that all of SYDNEY revolves around them, SYDNEY thinks all of Australia is just camping out. Happy to see all the Waratah and Swans fans had some success after their disappointing years. Must be reassuring to jump on the bandwagon and go to a SYDNEY roosters game every 5 years. Several pubs in the league heartland of Paddington, Vaucluse and Double Bay apparently had trouble finding Channel 9 and Rugby league on their TV sets and hadnt been tuned into the station since 2013.
Adam
Roar Guru
He made over 50 tackles. Really set up the not quite but should have been try that Munster blew.
TJ
Guest
One of the worst grand finals ever. Storm never turned up and hate to say it but Smith should retire at the end of the season. So far of the pace it wasn’t funny. That the worst I have seen the Storm play all year and Munster over rated....
Eden
Roar Rookie
That play and also a bit later after their first try Melbourne had isolated Cronk 40m out and minster throws a cut out instead of short to a second rower 1:1 with Cronk. He would have steam rolled him. Poor vision from Cam in a poor game.
Eden
Roar Rookie
It did feel more like a dominant mid season match than a GF. Odd for one team not to turn up or to be squeezed out so badly. In defence of this GF it was fairly similar to last year where one team had very little chance. Just odd because Melbourne were favourites whereas last year Cowboys were understandably no chance.
farqueue
Roar Rookie
What was the point of having Cronk there....if they wanted him to give orders just let him run the water like Langer does...to win like that with basically 12 men was impressive... they going to be even stronger next year too.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Ball. Hate the edit function grrrr
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Had a sniff in about the 63rdminute but dropped the call. Not good enough.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
From the moment they stuck Ado Carr on his ass they had that game. Total domination.
Matty
Guest
The crowd booing slater and smith after game.. total disgrace.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
I hate afl but .....
The Barry
Roar Guru
Congrats Roosters That was clinical and brutal. Storm were never in it..
rl
Guest
Warea-Headhigh? Nah, Keary killed it. Awesome effort Chooks. Too powerful, more cohesive. Storm made a months worth of errors, all of them attributable to the pressure by the Chooks.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I reckon Latrell Mitchell should hire Will Chambers as his butler. He has totally dominated him all year.
Ziusudra
Guest
Well done the Roosters. Brave as hell from Cronk, classly from Tedesco and Keary. IMHO, Dally M should go to Warea-Hargreaves. Led the destruction of the Storm in the 1st half Smith could have done no more. 50+ tackles and laid on chance after chance for his team, just for them to come to nothing. Sad for Billy to go out on a loss, but not everyone can finish like Menzies
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hey Con, I couldn't give you a definitive answer at the moment, but I assume he would have to be.
R N
Roar Rookie
Well done roosters...! Great performances all over the park. Never seen Slater and Smith so impotent.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Hey Scottie, is Munster the first player ever to be sin binned twice in a Grand Final?
James
Guest
Agreed. Had no skin in the game but that was truly an awful grand final to watch as a neutral. I absolutely hate AFL but there’s was a cracker.