Storm
20
Match Complete
Roosters
21
| 80 |  | L. Mitchell | ||
| B. Croft |  | 53 | ||
| C. Scott |  | 51 | ||
| B. Croft | | 49 | ||
| T. Kamikamica | | 48 | ||
| B. Croft |  | 39 | ||
| B. Croft | | 38 | ||
| J. Addo-Carr | | 36 | ||
| 30 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 28 | | J. Tedesco | ||
| 21 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 20 | | J. Waerea-Hargreaves | ||
| 11 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 6 | | L. Mitchell | ||
| 4 | | L. Mitchell |
| 3 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
Good Friday will be headlined by a grand final rematch, with the Melbourne Storm at home and seeking revenge against Cooper Cronk and the Sydney Roosters. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:55pm (AEDT).
When the sides met in last year’s grand final, it was Cronk who dominated all the talk. Up against his old side, he played with major injury, barely touching the ball as Luke Keary and the forwards led the Roosters to the premiership.
The defending premiers are starting to hit form in 2019 as well. After a shocking opening loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, they have begun to come good, with the World Club Challenge trip to England clearly hampering their early season form.
If Keary was good in the grand final, then he has been outstanding to begin the new season, with the half at the top of the game and pushing for an Origin call-up.
Of course, he hasn’t done it on his own, and it’s the Roosters forwards who have the biggest challenge in this game, as they look to do what they did in last year’s grand final and contain the ferocious Melbourne pack.
They certainly have the weaponry to do so though, with Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves leading the charge, although their defence loses some impact with tackling machine Jake Friend missing through injury.
As mentioned, the Storm do have an outstanding forward pack, but they haven’t quite hit their stride in 2019, which could be said about the entire team.
They have been scrappy at their best and poor at their worst, but keep finding ways to win, bringing an undefeated five and nothing record into Good Friday.
It’s the ideal spot to be for a team who are in their first season without Billy Slater, but Cameron Smith has kept things controlled, while the evolution of Queensland and Australian half Cameron Munster continues to go from strength to strength.
If they are to win this game though, they must win the arm wrestle up front, while also making the most of their opportunities by getting the ball to Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr, who will fancy their chances against defensively susceptible wingers Matt Ikuvalu and Daniel Tupou.
Prediction
Another tough game to tip this, but with revenge on the mind and home ground advantage, the Storm should continue their unbeaten start to the season in a belter.
Storm by 2.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this Good Friday grand final rematch from 7:55pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:55pm (AEDT)
Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne
TV: Live, Fox League 502 and Nine Network
Online: Live, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Kayo Sports, NRL Digital Pass, 9Now
Betting: Storm $1.90, Roosters $1.90
Overall record: Played 36, Roosters 20, Storm 16
Last meeting: 2018 grand final – Roosters 21 defeat Storm 6 at ANZ Stadium, Homebush
Last five: Storm 3, Roosters 2
Record at venue: Played 7, Storm 5, Roosters 2
Referees: Ashley Klein, Grant Atkins
Squads
Melbourne Storm
1. Jahrome Hughes, 2. Suliasi Vunivalu, 3. Will Chambers, 4. Marion Seve, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Jesse Bromwich, 9. Cameron Smith (c), 10. Nelson Asofa-Solomona, 11. Felise Kaufusi, 12. Kenneath Bromwich, 13. Dale Finucane
Interchange: 14. Brandon Smith, 15. Christian Welch, 16. Tui Kamikamica, 17. Ryan Papenhuyzen, 18. Billy Walters, 19. Patrick Kaufusi, 20. Albert Vete, 21. Curtis Scott
Sydney Roosters
1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Warea-Hargreaves, 9. Victor Radley, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Zane Tetevano
Interchange: 14. Lindsay Collins, 15. Nat Butcher, 16. Poasa Faamausili, 17. Mitchell Aubusson, 18. Sam Verrills, 18. Sitili Tupouniua, 20. Joshua Curran, 23. Lachlan Lam
berthe cotte
Guest
A great game and a comeback by the Storm who had the upper hand in the second half only to lose by a field goal to a brilliant golden point 40 metre field goal by Mitchell.The talent was well displayed by both teams and they could play another grand final this year
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Roosters also had their chances in regulation and couldn't win it, one of those being a terrible attempt from Latrell (so would that be 2 chances, then?) but I'm talking about golden point, where the game starts again, only worse. You can talk about chances and taking them all you want, but it's not a contest if only one side gets one. This sport is about getting in front and holding on until the siren goes. Golden point, especially what we got tonight, is the antithesis of that...
Ja ja klazo
Guest
I suppose we're not that used to losing. Don't take criticism well and all that.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yeah, that's fair enough, and I'm always happy to cop criticism. I just think some of the Roosters fans were unnecessarily harsh, and it got to the point where I would write something positive, but it was spun into something negative. That's the way it goes though I guess. Honestly - no club has the firepower to stop the Roosters IF they play like they did in the first half an hour tonight.
Ja ja klazo
Guest
I appreciate your tireless work mate, don't get wrong. But when you put that much content out there you better expect some retorts. And you got it wrong last year. Plain and simple you wrote Easts off all season. And we all know where the trophy resides. Anzac Day will be interesting. I don't think the drags in their current form have the fire power. But the club always seems to stand up on April 25. A lot depends on the fitness of TKO and the Iceman.
AE47
Roar Rookie
Hopefully StG are more focused on that tomorrow, UP MANLY
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
They had plenty of chances to touch the ball in 80 mins mate and 2 chances to kick a FG in regular time from only 10 metres out but didn't take it. Latrell Mitchell only needed one chance from 40 metres out. Game over! I agree though that golden point needs an overhaul.
Scott Pryde
Expert
We're still doing this? Anzac Day should be excellent!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cheers Brendon!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Was actually pretty happy with that Storm performance. They showed great resilience to come back. Against a Roosters side with big outs though I think it will be the Roosters who will take a lot more confidence out of this game. I actually think a full strength Sharks can challenge the Roosters and the Raiders when they're on. The Rabbits have also shown they can beat them so I think there are teams that have a chance but for me the Roosters are just a cut above right now.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"The roosters get better and better." Yep, about $2 mill better than any other club. Go figure. LOL
Budge
Guest
Yep - a great bloke - turned on the team that made him - he would be a plumber in qld without the storm - no tara no career - what a wonderful loyal human being
Ja ja klazo
Guest
The roosters get better and better. And I'm sure you're 'sold' on them by now. Took a premiership for you to get there. Bring on Anzac Day!
Brendon
Roar Rookie
Great call Scotty!
Brendon Waldron
Roar Pro
Finals don't even have golden point, they have extra time, which is what the whole season should have. Whether its 80, 90, 100 whatever minutes, you should win by being in front when the siren sounds, not because you scored a point...
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2019 NRL season as the Sydney Roosters beat the Melbourne Storm in golden point. Hopefully you enjoyed the call. I'll be back on Monday afternoon with the first ever game at Bankwest Stadium between the Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers, but don't forget to join us tomorrow for the Saturday evening double, starting with Alan Nicolea 5:30pm (AEDT) with the New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys, before David Holden is on board to take you through the Manly Sea Eagles and St George Illawarra Dragons. I'm off to cover some Super Rugby from 11:05pm (AEDT) tonight as the Sharks take on the Reds, then I'll be on for the Fed Cup between Australia and Belarus from 1pm (AEDT) tomorrow. We will also have A-League, AFL and Super Rugby on the site across the weekend. Bye for now.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
And you were worried. I told you not to despair Cronk would guide the Roosters without Keary. Congrats.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME The Sydney Rosters have won a stunner in golden point over the Melbourne Storm, with Latrell Mitchell booting the winning field goal from 40 metres out. It was a stunning strike from Mitchell, who was not only a long way out, but just ten metres in from the sideline as he sent it sailing through the sticks. Mitchell had a heavy involvement right throughout the night, involved in the Roosters first half rout of the Storm, which at one point had them into the lead by 20 points to nothing. Their left edge, with Mitchell joined by the in-form James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Luke Keary, was exceptional during the first half an hour as the Roosters put the foot to the floor and looked to be running up a repeat of the 2018 NRL grand final, when they demolished the Storm at Homebush. The Storm slowly fought their way back into the contest during the final ten minutes of the first half through a Josh Addo-Carr try and a penalty goal, reducing the halftime gap to just 12 pointsas they attempted to stay in the game. The home side dominated the early exchanges of the second half, with Cameron Smith completely taking over the game. The Storm skipper forced a number of repeat sets, while also setting up a try to Tui Kamickamica. The game was tied up at 20-all with 26 minutes to go, when the game turned into an arm-wrestle. The visitors managed to defend their own line despite being on the back foot, then forced golden point, despite having Luke Keary off the ground after being all but knocked out in a head clash with Jahrome Hughes, with neither team willing to take the risks required to ice the game during the final ten minutes. Golden point only lasted the one minute before the aforementioned field goal, with it being set up by a huge run from Sitili Tupouniua. The Roosters now join the Storm and Rabbitohs at the top of the table, with all five teams holding a five and one record. Melbourne Storm 20 Sydney Roosters 21
Ja ja klazo
Guest
Cronk is a rooster and oh it must hurt storm fans! The fake!