The Sydney Roosters are 80 minutes away from becoming the first back-to-back premiers in 26 years after a gritty and bloody 14-6 win over Melbourne to advance to the NRL grand final.
It gives Trent Robinson’s side a chance to send retiring halfback Cooper Cronk out as a premiership hero, as the ex-Storm champion seeks a third-straight grand final win.
The Storm finished Saturday night’s match with just two men on the bench after losing Felise Kaufusi and Ryan Papenhuyzen to head knocks, while Roosters veteran Mitchell Aubusson also ended the game watching from the sheds with a concussion.
Robinson has a big decision on his hands whether to bring co-captain Jake Friend back into the side, having missed the past two months with a fractured forearm.
The Storm were gutsy in the second half but James Tedesco’s 69th-minute try gave his side the knockout blow and set up a date with Canberra in next Sunday’s season decider at ANZ Stadium.
Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Sio Siua Taukeiaho set the tempo when both were sin-binned after just 20 seconds, coming to blows following the first hit-up, allowing Latrell Mitchell to give his side a 2-0 lead.
Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary faces a nervous wait for a 24th-minute incident which left Kaufusi concussed and forced him off for the rest of the game.
After Keary took offence to a fend to the face, he pulled out a clump of Kaufusi’s hair before hitting him around the neck with a swinging arm.
Roosters prop Zane Tetevano will also be scrutinised after being put on report for a high shot on Papenhuyzen.
The only try of the first half came when Daniel Tupou leapt above the Storm pack and batted it back to Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner, giving his side an 8-0 lead at the break.
Asofa-Solomona had only been back on the field for two minutes, after replacing Jesse Bromwich who was temporarily off for a head injury assessment, when he crashed over to make it 8-6 in the 49th minute.
After a Jahrome Hughes break gave his side field position, Brandon Smith gave his side a quick play-the-ball and Cameron Smith sent his prop hurtling over Cronk and Aubusson.
Joey Manu looked like he had extended his side’s advantage but was turned down by the bunker after Tedesco was ruled to have knocked it on in an aerial contest with Cameron Munster.
But Tedesco soon made amends, sliding over after an Angus Crichton break, sending the 32,814-strong crowd into raptures.
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
I clearly overestimated your intelligence with my suggestion. Silly me.
Footlong
Roar Rookie
Hahaha !! please publish your thorough facts, Sherlock ... Best you take stock of your own team's shortcomings. The Roosters are audited like every other team, including yours ( the Inglis retirement claim) Your team has had 3 coaches in 3 years, and you are focusing on the Roosters success ?? Enjoy.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Define "define".
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
Define “research.”
Dandragon
Roar Rookie
So, Roosters are over the cap & also guilty of underpaying players? A travesty indeed.
RudyZarzoff
Guest
I’m staying at the Bondi Hotel , dunno if the missus would appreciate me dribbling on backpackers whilst I’m there though .
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Not sure either Baz. Guess I'm trying to say I think we can score against the Roosters, we have a pretty even record against them and we don't fear playing at Homebush. I reckon the Raiders will rip in physically and overwhelm the Roosters. Jeez is it still only Monday!
The Barry
Roar Guru
I don’t know what all that points to but hopefully it’s a win for the green machine Enjoy the week mate and good luck for Sunday...!!!
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
That would depend heavily on who the arm was attached to...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Take #2: Uncle Nick isn't *just* a car salesman, he's one who's worth a few hundred million dollars. Make of that what you will...
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Pfft. Sydney traffic doesn't worry me at all. If I'm on a big bus like they are...
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Thing is Baz the Raiders haven't needed to score big to win this year. But you'd think they will need at least 18 points to win the GF. Raiders scored 24 against the Roosters earlier in the year in Brisbane and 18 against them at home a few weeks ago which they lost by 4. The Raiders have won three of their last five meetings against the Roosters and five of their last six played at Homebush.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Agree about the SCG. Looks like a venue totally unsuited to rugby league. Can imagine most of the sides that play the Roosters feel disoriented. As a Raiders supporter I'm glad the Grand Final is being played at Homebush.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
The first half was horrendous and while the second half was tight and tense I didn't think the Roosters looked that dominant. The Storm just couldn't couldn't threaten the Roosters line. I think Munster had an unusually quiet game for him and I think they'll be regretting not playing Brodie Croft at 7. I guees they had to play Papanh... but it messed up the team dynamics during the finals series.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Must be that really enjoyable Sydney traffic that calms them down
HazzaPoint
Roar Rookie
Looks like they were serving sour grapes at Redfern over the weekend :silly:
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Sounds like its not a calf strain - more of a cork - painful but may get better - if it was a strain he wouldn't be playing. I think they will take the risk. They'll have Simonsson on the bench so can shift Cotric to right centre if Joey goes down and put Simonsson on the wing. Worked against the Storm.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Rubbish! It was published on multiple media networks at the time of each signing... $1.1 mill Tedesco $1 mill Cronk $1 mill Crichton (2019) $850K Cordner $650K Friend $$650K Keary $500K Morris $500K Hall There goes the majority of your 30 man salary cap! Take your Roosters doublespeak to someone who is gullible and hasn't researched the facts. # Audit the Roosters Salary Cap NOW!
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
What would the Storm have gained by that?
Footlong
Roar Rookie
Teddy isn't earning close to 1.1 m & Morris isn't on the same money as Fergo !! Teddy would had earned more staying with the Tigers. No doubt his base salary rose with rep honors. Your sour grapes should be redirected to your Burgess boys.